Leaders OF THE Pack

Technology

Ragen

Senior manager of global pet technology at Purina

McGowan helps develop new products and services to increase pet owners’ understanding of their pets’ physical and emotional health. Earliest interest in science: I grew up in a house full of science books and was always encouraged to try to figure out how things worked.

First science job: Labeling videos of play behavior in piglets. It sounds fun, but it required meticulous attention to detail. I fell in love with piecing together how each behavior led to insight about what the animals were experiencing.

Most meaningful work experience: We’ve developed a smart litter box monitor that uses behavior-based data to track physical and emotional well-being and flag potential health issues in cats. So far, we’ve helped catch health problems early in several cats.

My pets: My family shares our house with two 9-year-old giant Great Pyrenees mixes, Luna and Perry; a 2-year-old parakeet, Zera; an aquatic rabbit snail, Mr. Snail; and an aquarium full of fish.

Nutrition

Julie Spears, Ph.D. Senior pet nutritionist

Spears researches nutritional interventions to support and improve pet health.

Best aspect of my job: It encourages creativity and curiosity. I have the freedom to explore different areas of pet health to find solutions that will improve the lives of dogs and cats.

Most meaningful work experience: I serve on several graduate student committees and mentor new employees on my research team. I love being able to help encourage and develop younger scientists as they start their careers in STEM, and I hope I’m proving that we can do better work when we help each other out.

Most exciting scientific discovery: We showed that giving dogs one treat daily containing spirulina and honey decreased bad breath!

My pets: Conall and Graham are our English cream golden retrievers. Elsa is our 10-yearold Siamese cat; she keeps the dogs in line and sleeps on my desk when I work from home.

Education

Emily Cross, D.V.M. Director of publications and education, Purina Institute

Cross is a veterinarian who develops educational resources on nutrition for veterinary professionals.

When my love of science started: My mom read me All Creatures

Great and Small when I was 5.

I knew then that I didn’t just love animals, but also wanted to dedicate my life to caring for them.

Most meaningful work experience: We demonstrated that a therapeutic diet for urinary problems in cats could not only help them feel better, but also enable them to be adopted faster.

Keys to keeping girls interested in STEM: Mentorship and support.

Girls need to feel uninhibited in the achievement of their dreams. Plus, STEM professions benefit from having the diversity of thought that women help provide.

My pet: I have a beloved 15-year-old Himalayan cat named Dewey. I love when he gets the “zoomies” and runs around the house with absolutely no purpose or direction.

Toxicology

Arya Sobhakumari, D.V.M., Ph.D. Veterinary toxicologist

Sobhakumari helps ensure the safety, quality and efficacy of Purina’s products. Earliest interest in animals: As a child, I witnessed one of the cows on our farm giving birth. The little calf’s efforts to assimilate with the world around it fascinated me.

Best workday: Any day that I am able to discover and divert a potential safety issue of an ingredient is a great day. Thankfully, because of Purina’s high standards and rigorous safety checks, it’s rare to find an issue, but I’m always ready.

How to keep girls interested in STEM: Encourage girls to explore more. Once you see the beauty of logic and scientific reasoning, it is easy to develop and sustain those interests. Parents play a key role.