Ingrid Ljungvall

I am Professor of One Health with focus on Comparative Medicine at the Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). I am a veterinarian and Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine – Companion Animals (ECVIM-CA) in Cardiology.

My work combines research, teaching, and clinical veterinary medicine. While cardiovascular disease in companion animals is my main area of expertise, my research and academic activities span a broad range of areas within veterinary and comparative medicine. I have a particular interest in interdisciplinary research that brings together clinical medicine with areas such as diagnostic imaging, genetics, molecular biology, pathology, biomedical engineering, and artificial intelligence.

A central aim of my research is to improve the understanding, diagnosis, prevention, and clinical management of naturally occurring diseases in animals. From a comparative medicine perspective, I am also interested in similarities and differences in health and disease across species, and how knowledge gained across species can contribute to improved animal and human health.

My research focuses primarily on naturally occurring cardiovascular diseases in companion animals, particularly myxomatous mitral valve disease and cardiomyopathies in dogs and cats. The overall aim is to improve our understanding of disease development and progression and to contribute to improved diagnostics, disease prevention, and clinical care.

My research spans a broad range of approaches, including clinical studies, diagnostic imaging, biomarkers, genetics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and pathology. I am also involved in the development and evaluation of new diagnostic methods and technologies, including artificial intelligence and digital tools for cardiovascular assessment.

Much of my research is interdisciplinary and conducted through national and international collaborations with researchers and clinicians in both veterinary and human medicine, as well as with expertise in genetics, molecular biology, pathology, biomedical engineering, and other fields. I also contribute to research beyond cardiovascular disease within veterinary internal medicine and other areas of companion animal health.

Comparative medicine and One Health perspectives are important components of my research. By studying naturally occurring diseases and comparing disease characteristics and mechanisms across species, the aim is to identify both similarities and differences that can advance knowledge across species and ultimately contribute to improved animal and human health.

I am actively involved in teaching at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. My teaching primarily covers veterinary internal medicine and cardiology, but also includes broader aspects of clinical veterinary medicine, diagnostics, scientific methodology, human–animal relationships, and client communication. My teaching reflects a broad perspective on animal health and disease, including their interactions with human health and society.

A substantial part of my teaching is closely integrated with clinical practice, where veterinary students participate in the examination, diagnostic work-up, and management of patients. I have a particular interest in case-based and clinically integrated teaching that encourages critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based decision-making.

I also supervise veterinary degree projects and PhD students and contribute to postgraduate and continuing professional education for veterinarians, both nationally and internationally.

I was appointed Excellent Teacher (Distinguished University Teacher) at SLU in 2021.

I have extensive experience in educational development, particularly within clinical veterinary education. This includes the development of case-based and clinically integrated teaching and assessment methods, as well as initiatives aimed at strengthening the integration of clinical practice, research, and education. My educational interests also include human–animal relationships, client communication, and the emotional and ethical dimensions of veterinary medicine.

I have also actively contributed in various ways to the development of different teaching formats and educational structures at SLU.

In 2012, I received the Pedagogical Award from the Veterinary Medicine Student Union at SLU. I have also been selected as an Honorary Member by the graduating class of veterinary students on three occasions (2018, 2025, and 2026).

• Professor of One Health with focus on Comparative Medicine, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
• Docent (Associate Professor) in Veterinary Medicine with focus on Small Animal Cardiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
• PhD in Veterinary Medicine (VMD), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and Master of Science (MSc), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
• Diplomate, European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine – Companion Animals (ECVIM-CA), Cardiology; EBVS® European Veterinary Specialist in Cardiology
• National Veterinary Specialist in Cardiology (Sweden)
• Excellent Teacher (Distinguished University Teacher), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)

• Award from the Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry (KSLA) for an outstanding doctoral thesis, presented by H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf, 2013
• Award from the Swedish Veterinary Association (Distriktsveterinär Hjalmar Håkanssons stipendiestiftelse) for an outstanding doctoral thesis, 2013
• Pedagogical Award from the Veterinary Medicine Student Union at SLU, 2012
• Selected as an Honorary Member by the graduating class of veterinary students, 2018, 2025, and 2026

I have extensive experience of supervising PhD students and veterinary degree projects, both as main and assistant supervisor. The projects span veterinary cardiology, internal medicine, clinical diagnostics, and related areas, often involving interdisciplinary and comparative perspectives. I place particular emphasis on supporting students in developing scientific independence, critical thinking, and the ability to connect research questions with clinical relevance. Many of the projects involve national and international collaborations across clinical and research disciplines.