MISSION
We’re working on the cutting edge of nutritional science, microbiome research, and pet health, developing proprietary methods and integrating strain-level microbiomic compositional data, broad categories of functional analysis, and deep health assessment metadata. Our goals are to advance microbiome and nutritional science and develop personalized treatments and nutritional interventions for dogs and cats.

Meet the science team

Dr. Justin Shmalberg
Chief Scientific and Medical Officer
Dr. Shmalberg is one of fewer than 100 Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists in the US, as well as a clinical associate professor at a leading veterinary college. He guides Nom Nom in all recipe formulation and advises on pet nutrition. Always an advocate for better nutrition = better health, Justin decided to go to veterinary school for the well-being of his dog Liberty, and all dogs.
Dr. Shmalberg is one of fewer than 100 Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists in the US, as well as a clinical associate professor at a leading veterinary college. He guides Nom Nom in all recipe formulation and advises on pet nutrition. Always an advocate for better nutrition = better health, Justin decided to go to veterinary school for the well-being of his dog Liberty, and all dogs.

Dr. Ryan Honaker
Director of Microbiology
An expert in microbiome manipulation, infection therapeutics, and microbial community profiling, Dr. Honaker holds a PhD from the University of Colorado at Denver, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology at Stanford University.
An expert in microbiome manipulation, infection therapeutics, and microbial community profiling, Dr. Honaker holds a PhD from the University of Colorado at Denver, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology at Stanford University.

Dr. Caitlyn Getty
Scientific Affairs Veterinarian
Dr. Getty is a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist and scientist, serving as Nom Nom's Scientific Affairs Veterinarian. Earning her BS in Animal Science, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, she went on to complete her Residency and Fellowship in Small Animal Clinical Nutrition at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Experienced in both pet illness and nutrition optimization, Dr. Getty brings a deep, holistic understanding of better health at the bowl.
Dr. Getty is a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist and scientist, serving as Nom Nom's Scientific Affairs Veterinarian. Earning her BS in Animal Science, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, she went on to complete her Residency and Fellowship in Small Animal Clinical Nutrition at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Experienced in both pet illness and nutrition optimization, Dr. Getty brings a deep, holistic understanding of better health at the bowl.

Dr. Roshonda Jones
Senior Bioinformatics Scientist
Roshonda received her PhD in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, continuing her postdoctoral training at University of Southern California and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. As a trained expert in the gut microbiome, Roshanda’s research focuses on using statistics and informatics to pinpoint the effects of diet on the microbiome as it relates to obesity across both humans and their pets.
Roshonda received her PhD in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, continuing her postdoctoral training at University of Southern California and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. As a trained expert in the gut microbiome, Roshanda’s research focuses on using statistics and informatics to pinpoint the effects of diet on the microbiome as it relates to obesity across both humans and their pets.

Dr. Boo Boo Tanprasertsuk
Scientist
Boo Boo received his PhD in Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition at Tufts University where his research focused on the relationship between nutrition and cognitive health in older adults. At Nom Nom, he is very excited to expand the scope of the investigation to dogs and cats, including nutrition's roles in health maintenance and disease prevention.
Boo Boo received his PhD in Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition at Tufts University where his research focused on the relationship between nutrition and cognitive health in older adults. At Nom Nom, he is very excited to expand the scope of the investigation to dogs and cats, including nutrition's roles in health maintenance and disease prevention.

Dr. Matt Brooks
Small Animal Nutritionist
Dr. Brooks earned his MS in Nutrition at Texas A&M studying fat metabolism. He then earned his PhD in protein and carbohydrate digestion and microbial efficiency in cattle and deer from the University of Missouri – Columbia. He followed this up with a postdoctoral fellowship at NC State University working with trace mineral ingredients in animal feed. He is an expert in comparative animal nutrition that has worked with both domesticated and zoo animals across the country. He is committed to the continued improvement of animal health and well-being through nutritional understanding.
Dr. Brooks earned his MS in Nutrition at Texas A&M studying fat metabolism. He then earned his PhD in protein and carbohydrate digestion and microbial efficiency in cattle and deer from the University of Missouri – Columbia. He followed this up with a postdoctoral fellowship at NC State University working with trace mineral ingredients in animal feed. He is an expert in comparative animal nutrition that has worked with both domesticated and zoo animals across the country. He is committed to the continued improvement of animal health and well-being through nutritional understanding.

LeeAnn Perry
Bioinformatics Analyst
LeeAnn received her BA in Molecular Biology from Washington University in St. Louis and her MSc in Neuroscience from Stanford University. She uses statistical and machine learning approaches to uncover insights about pets and their diets.
LeeAnn received her BA in Molecular Biology from Washington University in St. Louis and her MSc in Neuroscience from Stanford University. She uses statistical and machine learning approaches to uncover insights about pets and their diets.

Devon Tate
Associate Scientist
Devon received her BA in Chemistry from Goucher College and her Masters in Nutrition Science and Policy from Tufts University, where she engaged in public health research examining the role of nutrition in health promotion. Here at Nom Nom, she is enthusiastic about bringing her experience and passion for nutrition education to the pet world, and helping to discover new insights about pet health.
Devon received her BA in Chemistry from Goucher College and her Masters in Nutrition Science and Policy from Tufts University, where she engaged in public health research examining the role of nutrition in health promotion. Here at Nom Nom, she is enthusiastic about bringing her experience and passion for nutrition education to the pet world, and helping to discover new insights about pet health.

ASHLEY SIPE
PET HEALTH AND RESEARCH ADVOCATE
Passionate about improving the lives of pets through excellent nutrition and compassionate care, Ashley Sipe earned her BA in Zoology from Michigan State University. As a former small business owner with years of experience caring for both pets and animals in zoos and aquariums, Ashley’s distinct professional background supports our research team at all levels, specifically research logistics, customer experience and scientific collaboration.
Passionate about improving the lives of pets through excellent nutrition and compassionate care, Ashley Sipe earned her BA in Zoology from Michigan State University. As a former small business owner with years of experience caring for both pets and animals in zoos and aquariums, Ashley’s distinct professional background supports our research team at all levels, specifically research logistics, customer experience and scientific collaboration.
PUBLICATIONS
We believe in the work we’re doing, and that it is scientifically sound and beneficial to the field of pet health in general and not just our customers. Which is why we publish the results of our studies in preprints and open-access peer-reviewed journals. Here’s what we’ve done so far as well as what’s coming soon:
Published
Conferences
We believe it’s important to play an active role in the research community and keep current on the progress of all fields to which we contribute. Here are some things that we’re up to:
2022

5th Microbiome Connect: Animal
May 2022
Boo Boo chaired the companion animal track and gave a talk titled "Developing microbiome products with the direct-to-consumer approach"

9th Microbiome & 6th Probiotics R&D & Business Collaboration
March 29-30th, 2022
Devon presented a poster titled "A randomized controlled trial to evalulate impact of a novel probiotic and nutraceutical formulation of symptoms of canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) in privately-owned dogs"

Annual American Society of Animal Science
June 27-30th 2022
Matt's work on feeding zoo carnivores was presented by his co-author

Comparative Animal Nutrition Symposium
July 31st-Aug 5th, Salt Lake City, UT
Matt attended as BOD member - secretary
2021

Animal Microbiome Congress
March 2021
From mouth to gut - Improving pet health by microbiomes modulation

Petfood Forum
September 2021
Fresh/human-grade pet food research and executive roundtable: Why digestibility, the microbiome and other factors differ

4th Animal Gut Health & Nutrition Summit
October 2021
What Lessons Have Companies Learnt from Commercializing Their Products?
2020

Petfood Forum 2020
Justin and Ryan gave a presentation titled “A Path to Personalization: A Direct-to-Consumer Scientific Experience”

Animal Microbiome and Nutritional Health Congress
Aashish gave a talk titled “Developing Insights on Health, Disease and Products from Companion Animal Microbiomes Using Shotgun Metagenomics and Direct to Consumer Tests”

Nutrition 2020
Boo Boo presented our work on the effect of our probiotics on the gut microbiome and health outcomes in healthy dogs

Gates Foundation Microbiome Meeting
Aashish attended to stay updated on the newest science in the microbiome research field

Microbiome Movement: Drug Development Europe
Ryan attended the conference and learned about the best ways to turn microbiome insights into products for pet parents
2019

The 36th Annual International Canine Sports Medicine Symposium
Justin talked about the nutritional needs of working and sporting dogs

Microbiome Movement: Animal Health and Nutrition
Boo Boo attended the conference to stay updated on the newest science on animal health and nutrition

The 4th Annual Microbiome Summit
Aashish and LeeAnn presented our work on the characterization of gut microbiome in household pets in the USA

Animal Microbiome Congress Europe
Ryan talked about the exciting things in the microbiome sphere and how Nom Nom contributes the advancement of science
Outreach and Education
We’re excited about what we’re discovering and developing at Nom Nom. We love to talk about it, and people are listening. Here is a sampling of invited talks, podcasts, press, and other buzz.

Interview with Nom Nom’s Chief Nutrition Officer, Dr. Justin Shmalberg.
Justin talked about the nutritional needs of working and sporting dogs
Today’s Veterinary Practice
Justin’s perspectives on the evaluation of fresh diets for cats and dogs
Alicia’s Holistic Pet Wellness Podcast

Sarah Ondrako podcast

Molecules, Microbes, and Multiomics Podcast, DNA Genotek (8/2020)

Driving Microbiome Science to Improve Animal Nutrition and Quality of Life (sponsored by DNA Genotek)

Here are some highlights
- How we’re using microbiome research to advance personalized nutrition
- A review of our study that identified risk factors for canine obesity
- Discussion of one of our dog studies and its implication for how calories are calculated
- Summary of Ryan and Justin’s talk on Nom Nom’s approach to data and science at Petfood Forum Europe 2019
Research partnerships
Are you a veterinarian, pet health company, or research team? Do you have a microbiome project you’re interested in running? Have a product you’d like to see tested? We’re always looking to improve pet health and we love collaboration. Drop us a line at research@nomnomnow.com.
We have some ongoing partnerships with groups that share our passion. Here’s who we’re currently working with:
Diversigen
We utilize Diversigen’s cutting-edge metagenomic sequencing techniques for every sample. This partnership provides accurate and in-depth customer-facing microbiome profiling, powers our pet health-focused microbiome studies, and drives our product development and validation.

Current products

- Full-spectrum probiotics for dogs
- GI-targeted probiotics for dogs
- Full-spectrum probiotics for cats
- Gut microbiome testing kit
Check out our current line of supplemental products, each formulated by our expert science and nutrition R&D team:
Research Areas

Obesity
- Developed a proprietary algorithm to calculate your pet’s meal portion and required calories based on their physical activity level and target weight
- Generated a free obesity report explaining risk factors based on analysis of epidemiological data, personalized based on your pet
- Performed a research study investigating risk factors of canine overweightness and obesity
- Overviewed the general calorie needs of household dogs
- Compiled everything you need to know about weight management
- Analysis of microbiome differences between obese and healthy weight pets to determine how we can better understand risk and mitigate obesity
- Develop a novel product to aid in weight loss and healthy weight maintenance
Overweightness and obesity affect 34% of dogs and 35% of cats in the US. Obese pets are more likely to suffer from a wide variety of health issues as well as have shorter lifespans. We are using cutting-edge knowledge to combat this public health problem full on.
What we’ve done
Future plans

Aging
- Compiled everything you need to know about senior pet care
- Product development aiming to support healthy aging in senior pets
While the risk of developing many chronic diseases increases as your pets age, optimal nutrition can play a significant role in decreasing such risk throughout their lifespan. We promote healthy aging through nutrition science to ensure your pets enjoy the best lives they 100% deserve.
What we’ve done
Future plans

GI issues
- Developed GI-Targeted Probiotics for Dogs with GI issues
- Also developed Full Spectrum Probiotics for Dogs that are generally healthy, but we demonstrated that they can help decrease the risk of diarrhea episodes
- Generated a free, personalized GI report explaining risk factors based on analyzing epidemiological data
- Produce healthy food that is more digestible and easier on the stomach than kibble
- Overviewed the research on the ability of probiotics to protect the gut from antibiotic-induced dysbiosis
- Novel product and clinical trial to improve chronic GI issues
Gastrointestinal issues, including diarrhea and vomiting, are common health issues. Gut dysbiosis, or an imbalance of gut microbiota, can be an underlying cause of these issues in many pets. In many cases probiotics and prebiotics may help restore a healthy gut microbiota and alleviate GI symptoms. However, a more intensive treatment may be needed in more severe cases.
What we’ve done
Future plans

Allergies
- Compilation of ingredients for skin allergies in dogs
- Compilation of breed specific skin allergies
- A research study assessing the efficacy of our novel formula on alleviating the skin allergic symptoms
- Novel product based on the results of our research study
Our customers place allergies at the top spot of their most concerning medical conditions for their pets. Some common manifestations of allergy include atopic dermatitis, which is characterized by pruritus, skin irritation, and inflammation. We’ve been especially interested in skin allergies, and how certain ingredients and probiotics may be beneficial via different modes of action in treatment of symptoms.
What we’ve done
Future plans

Behavior
- Literature review on how CBD may help with your dog’s anxiety
- Analyze our existing data and develop a study and products to address these issues.
- Research plan under development
From why dogs eat grass to how cats show their love, we are always curious why your pets behave the way they do. However, what we’re most interested in are things that may cause your pet’s undesirable behaviors, such as aggression, anxiety, or sudden behavioral changes, and how we can help them. Emerging evidence demonstrates the connection between the gut microbiome and the brain, as well as the efficacy of several probiotics and nutraceuticals that may benefit your pet’s central nervous system and keep them healthier and happier.
What we’ve done
Future plans

Joint issues
- Generated a free, personalized joint health report explaining risk factors based on analyzing epidemiological data
- Compilation of dietary supplements for joint health in dogs
- Reformulation and release of our previous joint product in an improved form
Joint issues in all their forms are common health issues. Osteoarthritis, which causes lameness and disability in our pets and people, is the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorder in dogs and affects ~20% of all dogs over one year of age. We are working hard to tackle these serious issues.
What we’ve done
Future plans

Dental health
- Analysis of dental health and periodontal disease in pets
- Overviewed common misconceptions about dental health
- Developed a guide to dental treats for dogs
- Continue to analyze risk factors for periodontal disease and develop a personalized report
Dental health is extremely important for our companions’ overall health and wellbeing. Dental issues, especially periodontal disease, are widely prevalent among pets, with at least 80% of dogs and 70% of cats suffering from some stage of the disease. In fact, periodontal disease is estimated to be one of the most widespread inflammatory diseases diagnosed in pets today. We also know that dental disease can negatively shift the bacterial species in your pet’s mouth, and new research is showing that appropriate dental chews may benefit the oral microbiota of dogs.
What we’ve done
Future plans

Gut microbiome insights
- Dog size/breed Are there microbiome differences between different breeds? Or between pets of different sizes? Increasing our understanding of this will help us provide more interesting and personalized comparisons for our microbiome sequencing reports
- Diet and probiotics We are continually examining the effect of diet and probiotics on the gut microbiota of your pets. Our recent studies demonstrate the benefits of a fresh diet and simple habits like taking a scoop of probiotics daily
- Healthy pets Using our extensive health assessments to define a generally healthy subset of pets, we’re trying to understand the composition and function of a healthy microbiome. This will enable us to better understand and identify when things aren’t right and design solutions to help make them better
We’re constantly striving to better understand how the microbiome differs between individuals so we can develop better ways to describe, assess, and prevent health issues, as well as develop new, more effective products. Here are a few things we’re curious about.

Additional product development
- Fish oil and fatty acids Not all fats are created equal, and we’re here to help you understand the science behind them. Fatty acids have demonstrated benefits in a wide variety of ways, and certain cats and dogs may have a higher requirement for omega-3 fatty acids than usual. We’re making sure we understand the science and can provide the best and highest quality product
- Fiber You may be surprised to learn that fibers are not only good for pet parents, but dogs and cats can benefit from eating fiber too! We are developing a proprietary blend of fibers to support your pet’s overall health
- Current probiotic updates under development
- Chews and pills: our same potent products in a fun and easy to give chew form or an easy to swallow pill
- Enhanced palatability: making our same high-quality formulations even easier to take
There are substantial scientific reasons to believe that some classes of nutrients and supplements have positive effects. Here are a few additional products that we’re researching.