World Online Ranking of Best Animal & Veterinary Scientists – 2023 Report

by Imed Bouchrika, PhD

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

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The 2023 Research.com animal and veterinary science ranking was published on November 12 to highlight researchers whose work is shaping animal health, veterinary medicine, livestock production, disease control, and related areas. For students, faculty, and employers, the ranking can be a useful shortcut for finding active research hubs and influential scientists — but only if it is read correctly.

This guide explains what the ranking measures, who appears most often in it, how the D-index works, and what the results can and cannot tell you about a university, research group, or career path. If you are comparing animal science, veterinary medicine, biology, or research-focused programs, this article will help you use the ranking as a decision tool instead of treating it like a final verdict.

Quick answer: what does the 2023 animal and veterinary science ranking show?

The 2023 Research.com ranking identifies leading animal and veterinary science researchers using discipline-specific research impact, publication activity, and field relevance. More than 2,000 scientist profiles from sources including OpenAlex and CrossRef were reviewed for the 2023 edition. In general, researchers needed a D-index threshold of 20 when most of their work was in animal and veterinary sciences.

The United States had the largest representation, with 316 scientists, or 31.6% of the ranking. The top-ranked scientist was Guoyao Wu of Texas A&M University, with a D-index of 129. The University of Guelph had the highest institutional representation, with 25 ranked scientists.

What the ranking measures and why it matters

This ranking is built to show research influence, not teaching quality, admissions difficulty, or student satisfaction. That distinction matters. A university may have very strong researchers in animal and veterinary science but still offer different levels of clinical access, funding, advising, or student support.

The D-index is the central metric used here. In simple terms, it reflects impact within the field rather than general citation volume across all subjects. That makes the ranking more useful for comparing researchers who publish in animal science, veterinary medicine, livestock health, nutrition, reproduction, parasitology, or disease biology.

For readers who are not familiar with research rankings, the main takeaway is this: the list helps you find where influential work is happening, but it does not automatically tell you where you will get the best education or the best career outcome.

How the 2023 ranking was evaluated

Instead of relying on one raw number such as total publications, the 2023 edition used several indicators to assess researchers. These included the discipline D-index, how much of a scholar’s work fell within animal and veterinary science, and awards and achievements.

This approach matters because it rewards researchers whose work is highly relevant to the field, not just those with broad publication activity across unrelated topics. It also makes the ranking more useful for identifying subject-area leaders in livestock health, companion animal medicine, comparative biology, and veterinary research.

How to interpret the D-index

The D-index is a field-specific measure of influence. Higher values usually indicate stronger research impact within the discipline, but the number should still be read carefully. It does not measure teaching quality, mentorship, lab access, funding, or the student experience.

If you are comparing universities or advisors, use the D-index as one clue among many. It is best for spotting research intensity and scholarly visibility, not for judging the full quality of a program.

Key findings from the 2nd edition of the animal and veterinary scientists ranking

• The United States led the 2023 ranking with 316 scientists, equal to 31.6% of all ranked animal and veterinary science scholars.
• The next most represented countries were the United Kingdom with 87 scientists or 8.7%, Canada with 75 scientists or 7.5%, Australia with 65 scientists or 6.5%, and Spain with 47 scientists or 4.7%.
• Among the top 1%, 4 out of 10 scientists were affiliated with institutions in the United States, three were from Canada, and one each was from New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Australia.
• The first position belonged to Guoyao Wu from Texas A&M University, whose D-index was 129.
• The University of Guelph had the largest number of ranked animal and veterinary science researchers in 2023, with 25 scientists.
• American universities accounted for 50% of the top 10 leading institutions in animal and veterinary sciences, alongside the University of Guelph with 25 scientists, Wageningen University and Research with 24 scientists, Ghent University with 18 scientists, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences with 17 scientists, and the University of Melbourne with 14 scientists.
• The average D-index for the top 1% was 103.4, compared with 45.63 for all ranked scientists.

The complete 2023 ranking is available here:

Best Animal & Veterinary Scientists Ranking

Which countries have the strongest presence in animal and veterinary science research?

The United States had the largest presence in the 2023 ranking, with 316 scholars affiliated with U.S. institutions. That figure represented 31.6% of the full ranking. The United States also had 4 out of 10 researchers in the top 1%, while Canada had three, and New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Australia each had one.

The United Kingdom ranked second with 87 scientists, followed by Canada with 75 ranked researchers. Australia placed next with 65 scientists. Spain had 47 scientists, Italy had 39 scholars, and the Netherlands had 38 scientists.

These patterns suggest that animal and veterinary science research is concentrated in a relatively small number of countries with strong university systems, public research agencies, and veterinary or agricultural infrastructure.

The top five countries in 2023 kept the same positions they held in 2022. The number of ranked scientists affiliated with U.S. institutions fell slightly from 319 in 2022 to 316 in 2023. Australia increased from 58 scientists in 2022 to 65 in 2023, while Spain added two scientists.

Brazil held the 9th position in the 1st edition of the world ranking. In the 2nd edition, Belgium entered the top 10 with 32 scientists, replacing Brazil.

The country assigned to each researcher reflects the affiliated research institution according to MAG. It does not necessarily represent the scientist’s nationality.

Which institutions lead in animal and veterinary science?

The University of Guelph finished first in the 2023 institutional ranking with 25 scientists. Wageningen University and Research followed with 24 scientists, and Agricultural Research Service came next with 20 scholars.

Institutional results show a strong mix of U.S. and non-U.S. universities. American universities made up 40% of the top 10 leading institutions, while major non-U.S. names included the University of Guelph in Canada, Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands, Ghent University in Belgium, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Sweden, and the University of Melbourne in Australia.

The University of Guelph’s move to first place is one of the biggest institutional changes in the 2023 ranking. It rose from third in 2022, when it had 24 scientists, to first in 2023 with 25. Wageningen University and Research shifted the other way, moving from first place in 2022 with 26 scientists to second in 2023 with 24. INRAE of France fell from fourth place in 2022 with 23 scientists to twelfth place in 2023 with 14.

In the top 1% of the ranking, 4 out of 10 institutions were based in the United States. Other top 1% institutions included the University of Otago in New Zealand, ranked 3rd; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, based in Canada, ranked 4th and 5th; Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands, ranked 6th; the University of British Columbia in Canada, ranked 7th; and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Australia, ranked 10th.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada was the only institution with more than one representative in the top 1% of the ranking, with two scholars.

What the ranking means for students choosing a program

A strong concentration of ranked researchers can indicate deep subject expertise, active laboratories, and more chances to find a mentor. Still, the highest-ranked institution is not always the best fit for a student. Program choice should depend on goals, access to animal facilities or clinics, cost, location, research fit, and the level of hands-on training available.

Students interested in veterinary medicine, livestock health, animal nutrition, genetics, infectious disease, wildlife health, or biomedical research should look beyond brand recognition. They should check whether faculty are currently taking students, whether research facilities match their interests, and whether undergraduates can participate in meaningful projects before graduation.

Current trends changing animal and veterinary science research

One of the clearest changes in the field is the growing use of proteomics to study animal health, disease, and production. Because animal disease outbreaks can create major economic losses, researchers increasingly use quantitative proteomics to better understand stress responses, disease mechanisms, and pathological change.

Proteomics lets scientists examine proteins in biofluids and tissue samples from cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens, dogs, cats, and wildlife. That work can support biomarker discovery, earlier diagnostics, and a better understanding of how disease develops and spreads.

The field is also becoming more interdisciplinary. Progress often depends on collaboration among experts in mass spectrometry, bioinformatics, statistics, animal production, veterinary medicine, and disease biology. When those areas work together, research can move faster across livestock health, companion animal medicine, wildlife disease, and comparative biomedical science.

Animal disease outbreaks such as avian influenza and bovine spongiform encephalopathy have repeatedly disrupted livestock and poultry trade. Research that clarifies disease pathogenesis helps scientists, veterinarians, producers, and policymakers make better choices about prevention, surveillance, and response.

Online learning and research collaboration in this field

Online education and digital collaboration tools can widen access to coursework, seminars, data analysis training, and cross-institutional discussions. They are especially valuable for working adults, students far from major research campuses, and professionals who need flexible study options. Even so, laboratory, field, and clinical components still matter in many animal and veterinary science pathways, so students should confirm how practical training is delivered.

Research universities and veterinary institutions continue to play a major role in disease-focused work. For example, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture operates a Center for Excellence in Livestock Diseases and Human Health, with research activity in infectious disease and immunology, vector-borne and zoonotic diseases, regenerative and rehabilitative medicine, and translational models for animal and human disease. Washington State University’s Animal Disease and Biotechnology Facility focuses on molecular biology approaches to diseases affecting agricultural animals.

These examples show why students should separate online learning convenience from research infrastructure. Online coursework can support learning, but research-focused students should also evaluate lab access, faculty mentorship, animal facilities, and field opportunities. Students exploring related biology careers can also review biology major career paths to compare alternatives.

How undergraduate study affects animal and veterinary science careers

An undergraduate degree can strongly influence how prepared a student is for veterinary school, graduate study, research roles, or industry jobs. A good bachelor’s program should build knowledge in animal physiology, nutrition, reproduction, genetics, disease, welfare, and production systems. It should also strengthen laboratory skills, field experience, data interpretation, and communication.

Students comparing bachelor’s programs should not rely only on research prestige. They should review course structure, advising, research access, animal handling opportunities, internship support, and graduate outcomes. Readers comparing degree value more broadly may also want to look at the best 4-year degrees as part of a wider planning process.

Advanced degrees and career growth in animal and veterinary science

Graduate education can matter for people aiming at research leadership, university teaching, specialized animal health roles, industry R&D, or advanced technical positions. Master’s programs often allow students to focus on animal nutrition, reproduction, genetics, epidemiology, biotechnology, or disease biology. Doctoral programs are usually more research-heavy and are often needed for independent academic research careers.

More education can improve advancement opportunities, but it does not guarantee higher pay. Outcomes depend on specialization, location, employer type, research record, clinical credentials, and experience. When comparing graduate options, students should weigh faculty fit, assistantships, research facilities, completion expectations, and placement outcomes. As one reference point for graduate earnings across fields, it can be useful to compare these paths with the highest paying masters degree options.

Flexible and affordable pathways for working adults

Cost often determines whether a student can finish an animal or veterinary science degree. Tuition is only one part of the bill. Students also need to account for fees, books, laboratory costs, travel for fieldwork, lost income, relocation, exam fees, and possible debt.

Working adults should look for flexible schedules, clear transfer-credit rules, strong advising, and realistic completion timelines. They also need to confirm that online or hybrid courses satisfy prerequisites for veterinary school, graduate study, or employer requirements. Students looking for lower-cost options can compare schools for working adults while still checking academic quality and transferability.

Doctoral programs: what to evaluate before enrolling

Doctoral study can prepare students for research leadership, academic appointments, and specialized industry roles. In animal and veterinary science, these programs usually require close faculty supervision, original research, advanced methods training, and publication expectations.

Accelerated doctorates can appeal to professionals who want a shorter path, but speed is only helpful if the program still provides serious research training and is respected by employers and academic institutions. Students comparing accelerated options can review models such as an 18-month doctorate without dissertation, while checking whether that format matches their long-term research goals.

Can affordable online doctorates support animal and veterinary research careers?

Affordable online doctorate programs can reduce financial strain and improve access for working professionals. They may work well for students focused on education, administration, policy, leadership, or data-centered research topics that do not require constant lab presence. However, students in animal and veterinary science still need to verify whether the program provides the research methods, faculty expertise, and practical training their specialization requires.

Before enrolling, compare accreditation, dissertation or capstone requirements, faculty qualifications, research support, publication expectations, tuition structure, and whether the credential is respected in the target career setting. Cost-conscious candidates may begin with the cheapest online doctorate, but price should never be the only filter.

Regional leaders and top-ranked researchers

Several researchers stood out as regional leaders in the 2023 ranking. In North America, Professor Guoyao Wu of Texas A&M University ranked 1st overall, with a D-index of 129.

In Oceania, Professor Robert Poulin of the University of Otago in New Zealand led the region and ranked 3rd worldwide.

In Europe, Professor José de la Fuente of the University of Castilla-La Mancha in Spain was the highest-ranked researcher in the region and ranked 11th globally, with a D-index of 92.

In Asia, Professor Yulong Yin of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in China led the region with a D-index of 83 and a world ranking of 22.

In Africa, Professor Frans Jongejan of the University of Pretoria in South Africa was the highest-ranked scientist, with a world ranking of 74.

In South America, Professor Marcelo B. Labruna of Universidade de São Paulo in Brazil held the highest regional position, with a world ranking of 31.

The gap between the top 1% average D-index of 103.4 and the full-ranking average of 45.63 shows how concentrated research influence is at the top of the field. Publication volume also differs sharply: the top 1% averaged 519 animal and veterinary science publications, compared with 202 across all ranked scholars.

How to use this ranking wisely

Rankings are most helpful when they are treated as one piece of evidence rather than a final answer. A student choosing a program, a researcher looking for collaborators, or an institution benchmarking itself should combine ranking data with direct evaluation of fit, resources, and outcomes.

Questions to ask before choosing a program or research path

• Which faculty members are active in the specialization I want to study?
• Are ranked researchers currently accepting undergraduate students, graduate students, or research assistants?
• Does the program provide access to laboratories, animal facilities, fieldwork, or clinical experience?
• How does the curriculum prepare students for veterinary school, graduate study, industry work, or research careers?
• What funding, assistantships, scholarships, or work-study options are available?
• Can online or hybrid coursework satisfy the prerequisites I need for my next step?
• What are the expectations for thesis work, publications, internships, or capstone projects?
• How do graduates typically use the degree after finishing the program?

Common mistakes to avoid when using research rankings

• Using a ranking as a substitute for accreditation review.
• Assuming a high-ranked researcher automatically means strong undergraduate teaching.
• Ignoring the difference between research strength and clinical training capacity.
• Overlooking costs beyond tuition, including travel, lab fees, and relocation.
• Choosing a flexible online program without checking whether it meets next-step requirements.
• Reading country results as nationality instead of institutional affiliation.

Who should use the 2023 animal and veterinary science ranking?

This ranking is especially useful for students exploring research-heavy degree programs, faculty members comparing institutional visibility, and employers seeking collaborators or subject-area experts. It is also helpful for prospective graduate students who want to identify researchers with active publication records in livestock health, companion animals, zoonotic disease, or animal biotechnology.

It is less useful as a standalone measure for first-time applicants who mainly want to compare tuition, admissions odds, or student life. Those decisions require additional research into program structure, costs, support services, and practical training.

Key insights

• The 2023 animal and veterinary science ranking reviewed more than 2,000 scientist profiles and used field-specific indicators rather than a simple publication count.
• The United States had the largest national representation, with 316 scientists and 31.6% of the ranking, while the University of Guelph led all institutions with 25 ranked scientists.
• Guoyao Wu of Texas A&M University ranked 1st overall with a D-index of 129.
• The average D-index for the top 1% was 103.4, compared with 45.63 across the full ranking, which shows how concentrated research influence is at the top.
• Proteomics, bioinformatics, disease biology, and interdisciplinary collaboration are shaping current work in animal and veterinary science.
• The ranking is best used to identify research strength, not to replace evaluation of accreditation, cost, faculty access, hands-on training, and career fit.
• Online and flexible study options can expand access, but students should confirm that the program still provides the practical or research-intensive training their goals require.

You can learn more about the methodology used to create the ranking here.

About Research.com

All research was coordinated by Imed Bouchrika, Ph.D., a computer scientist with extensive experience collaborating on international academic research projects. His responsibility was to help ensure that the data remained unbiased, accurate, and current.

Research.com is a research portal for science and educational rankings. Its mission is to help professors, research fellows, and students advance their work and identify leading experts across scientific disciplines. Research.com also helps students compare colleges, academic opportunities, and career pathways.