Dr. Holly H. Ganz is Chief Science Officer of AnimalBiome, where she leads the development of microbiome-based diagnostics and supplements to improve the gut and oral health of companion animals. Her work centers on translating advances in microbiome science into practical solutions that promote pet health, longevity, and well-being.
A microbiologist with expertise in evolutionary biology, community ecology, and disease ecology, Holly has more than 25 years of research experience spanning microbial co-evolution, infectious disease dynamics, and conservation biology. She has investigated how microbes shape animal health across ecosystems, from wildlife populations to household pets.
Holly earned her PhD at UCDavis, where she studied the co-evolution of microbes and animals. She was awarded an NSF postdoctoral fellowship to examine the genetic factors influencing the spread of fungal and bacterial infections in animal populations, which was followed by NIH-funded research at UC Berkeley on soil pathogens and their role in wildlife disease dynamics. Returning to UC Davis, she applied microbiome approaches to companion animal health at the School of Veterinary Medicine and the Genome Center. Her research studying the microbiology of animals living in the build environment was funded by Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Her findings revealed the need for greater consideration of the gut microbiome in the practice of veterinary medicine, and ultimately inspired her to start AnimalBiome.
