Rate My Professor David Thomas

Professor David Thomas is a Professor in Companion Animal Science in the School of Agriculture and Environment at Massey University. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Zoology from the University of Dundee, awarded in 1990, and a PhD in Zoology, specialising in Mammalian Seasonal Physiology, from University College London, awarded in 1997. He joined Massey University in 2002 and has held post-doctoral, lecturer and senior lecturer positions there, in addition to earlier work at HortResearch in Hamilton. Professor Thomas serves as Director of the Centre for Feline Nutrition and the Centre for Canine Nutrition, and as Major Leader in Animal Science. His research focuses on companion animal nutrition, including the functionality of food supplements and ingredients, age and seasonal effects on energy requirements, health implications of high carbohydrate consumption, effects of inorganic versus organic mineral supplementation, optimal dietary fatty acid ratios, gut and skin physiology, and bioactive food and feed ingredients. Since joining Massey University he has secured over $22 million in research funding and has directed the feline and canine nutrition units since 2005. He is a leading authority in companion animal science whose work delivers practical solutions for the global pet food industry, including pioneering remote sensing and sampling technologies to study animal behaviour, welfare and diet interactions.

Professor Thomas has supervised numerous doctoral students and contributed to research projects on topics such as smart collars for monitoring animal behaviour and health, and smart robotic capsules for gastrointestinal disease management. His expertise spans agricultural and veterinary sciences, with particular emphasis on animal nutrition and production, as well as biological sciences including ecology. He maintains active involvement in advancing knowledge in pet nutrition and related physiological areas through ongoing research and leadership roles at the university.