Lauren Dr. Lauren Schnabel – Advancing Equine Orthopedics Through Research & Surgery
DVM, PhD, Dip. ACVS, Dip. ACVSMR
Lauren Schnabel, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, Dipl. ACVSMR, stands at the forefront of equine orthopedic surgery and musculoskeletal research. As a Professor of Equine Orthopedic Surgery at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, she has built an international reputation for uniting high-level clinical care with rigorous scientific discovery.
In parallel with her academic appointment, Lauren Schnabel serves as Principal Investigator of the Schnabel Laboratory and Associate Director of the Comparative Medicine Institute, where her work bridges veterinary medicine, human health, and translational science.
Academic Foundations and Surgical Training
Lauren Schnabel’s professional journey is rooted in a deep commitment to both clinical excellence and scientific inquiry. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Cornell University in 2004, followed by a large animal internship at the internationally recognized Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, completed in 2005.
Returning to Cornell, she undertook a rigorous large animal surgery residency, finishing in 2009, and continued her academic training with a PhD in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, awarded in 2013.
Her doctoral and surgical training were completed under the mentorship of Dr. Lisa Fortier, a leader in equine orthopedic research, shaping Lauren Schnabel’s lifelong focus on musculoskeletal disease and regenerative medicine.
Board certified as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (Large Animal) since 2010, Lauren Schnabel later achieved additional board certification as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation.
This dual certification uniquely positions her to integrate surgical intervention with evidence-based rehabilitation strategies, offering a comprehensive approach to equine performance and recovery.
Clinical Expertise and Research Focus
At NC State University, Lauren Schnabel’s clinical practice centers on complex orthopedic conditions in horses, with particular emphasis on tendon and ligament injury, osteoarthritis, and performance-limiting musculoskeletal disorders.
Her surgical work is closely aligned with her research program, allowing discoveries from the laboratory to inform clinical decision-making and, in turn, enabling clinical challenges to drive innovative research questions.
Lauren Schnabel’s scientific investigations focus on stem cell immunology, biologic and orthobiologic therapies, and the optimization of rehabilitation protocols following orthopedic injury.
Through the Schnabel Laboratory, she leads interdisciplinary teams exploring how regenerative strategies can improve tissue healing while minimizing inflammation and long-term degeneration. A defining feature of her work is its translational impact: insights gained from equine models directly contribute to understanding musculoskeletal injury and repair in human medicine.
Leadership in Translational Medicine
Beyond her roles in surgery and research, Lauren Schnabel is deeply involved in advancing translational science infrastructure. She serves as Associate Director of the Comparative Medicine Institute at NC State University, where she helps guide collaborative research initiatives that span veterinary, medical, and engineering disciplines.
She is also a leader within the NIH-funded Comparative Medicine and Translational Research Training Program (T32), supporting the development of clinician-scientists capable of navigating both clinical practice and biomedical research.
Her leadership philosophy emphasizes collaboration, mentorship, and long-term impact. Through her academic and institutional roles, she actively works to remove barriers between veterinary and human medicine, ensuring that discoveries benefit patients across species.
Commitment to Education and Mentorship
Education is a central pillar of Lauren Schnabel’s career. Over the course of her academic appointment, she has mentored 19 surgical residents and more than 20 interns in the hospital setting.
Her influence extends deeply into research training, where she has guided seven PhD candidates, one master’s student, 14 veterinary students, and more than 30 undergraduate researchers within her laboratory. This breadth of mentorship reflects her commitment to developing the next generation of clinician-scientists, surgeons, and academic leaders.
In addition to formal mentoring, Lauren Schnabel is actively involved in professional development initiatives, including leadership and faculty training programs designed to support early-career researchers as they transition into independent academic roles.
Scholarly Impact and Recognition
Lauren Schnabel’s scholarly output includes more than 65 peer-reviewed publications, reflecting sustained productivity and influence within the fields of equine orthopedics and regenerative medicine.
She is a sought-after speaker, delivering invited lectures and presentations at national and international conferences, where she is recognized for her ability to translate complex science into practical clinical insight.
Her contributions have been acknowledged through numerous honors. In 2019, she was named an NC State University Faculty Scholar in recognition of her excellence across clinical service, research, teaching, mentorship, and community engagement. In 2020, she received the Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence, highlighting the significance of her scientific work.
Most recently, in 2025, Lauren Schnabel was honored with the Ruth L. & Ned E. Huffman Leadership Award, underscoring her impact as a leader within academic veterinary medicine.
Why Lauren Schnabel Matters
Lauren Schnabel, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, Dipl. ACVSMR, represents a rare combination of surgeon, scientist, educator, and institutional leader. Her work has reshaped how musculoskeletal injuries are treated and rehabilitated in horses, while simultaneously informing advances in human orthopedic medicine.
As a speaker, she brings clarity, authority, and inspiration to every audience, drawing from real-world clinical experience and cutting-edge research.
Through her unwavering dedication to innovation and mentorship, Lauren Schnabel continues to influence not only how veterinary medicine is practiced today, but how it will evolve for generations to come.
Lauren Schnabel is a faculty speaker in the Equine Lameness Program. If you wish to elevate your lameness diagnostic skills and learn directly from her, Dr. Jane Boswell and Dr. Bruce Bladdon, make sure to explore the Equine Lameness Program. This the most comprehensive, case-based training pathway designed to help veterinarians make a measurable difference to the horses in their care.