Dr. Ryan Yamka earned bachelor’s degrees in animal science and biology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, followed by a master’s degree and doctorate in animal science from the University of Kentucky and an MBA from Baker University. He started his career at Hill’s Pet Nutrition in research and product development. Yamka’s research has focused on genomics, weight management, amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, fiber utilization and technologies for alternative testing. He maintained a critical role in the development and implementation of many new and innovative products for companion animals and was active in the application of new technologies for several of Hill’s weight management products as well as developing a urine pH prediction model for felines. Yamka also worked for Hartz Mountain Corp. as senior director for nutrition and wellness and as SVP of R&D, QA and nutrition for Blue Buffalo before and after the company went public. While at Blue, he built and led a team that successfully developed and launched more than 250 new products in the veterinary, dry, wet, meat roll, treat and litter categories. In 2016, Yamka founded Luna Science and Nutrition, LLC. He currently serves as an advisory board member for Bond Pets, LLC, KDC Ag and PetMio. In 2017, he co-founded Guardian Pet Food Company. He is a certified professional animal scientist (PAS), board certified with the American College of Animal Sciences (Dipl. ACAS) in nutrition, a fellow of the American College of Nutrition (FACN) and, in 2011, received the ASAS Corbin Companion Animal Biology Award, 2019 the Pet Age ICON award and 2020 Rogue Pet Science Pet Industry Disruptor Award . He has published numerous manuscripts, abstracts and book chapters, and has 50+ patents granted. Lastly, he writes blogs for Petfood Industry Magazine debunking pet food myths and misconceptions and has been featured on numerous podcasts.