Shannon Connard, DVM, PhD, ACVS
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Assistant Professor, Section of Large Animal Surgery
Department of Clinical Sciences
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
930 Campus Road
Ithaca, NY 14853
Profile
Research/Clinical Interests
Dr. Connard leads The Connard Lab, where she develops innovative models and therapies for large animal musculoskeletal injuries, focusing on tendon, ligament, and joint disease. Her work bridges translational research and clinical practice to better understand mechanisms of injury and improve healing. Clinically, she specializes in orthopedic surgery, including arthroscopy, fracture repair, and lameness evaluation, while integrating regenerative therapies and rehabilitation strategies to restore soundness, enhance performance, and support the well-being of equine athletes and large animals.
Education
- 2022-2025 Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine (Raleigh, NC)
- 2022-2025 Certificate in Teaching in Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine (Raleigh, NC)
- 2019-2022 Large Animal Surgical Residency, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, New Bolton Center Hospital (Kennett Square, PA)
- 2018-2019 Large Animal Rotating Internship, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, New Bolton Center Hospital (Kennett Square, PA)
- 2017-2018 Equine Rotating Internship, Louisiana State University, School of Veterinary Medicine (Baton Rouge, LA)
- 2013-2017 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine (Athens, GA)
- 2009-2013 Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, University of Georgia, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (Athens, GA)
Biography/Professional Experience
Dr. Shannon Connard received her DVM from the University of Georgia in 2017. She completed an equine rotating internship at Louisiana State University, followed by a large animal rotating internship and a large animal surgical residency at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center. During her residency, she developed a strong interest in regenerative medicine and translational research, which led her to pursue a PhD in Comparative Biomedical Sciences at North Carolina State University. As part of her NIH T32 fellowship, she focused on developing regenerative therapies for equine tendon and ligament injuries while also earning a certificate in teaching in biomedical sciences.
Clinically, Dr. Connard specializes in orthopedic surgery, including arthroscopy, fracture repair, and lameness evaluation, with a focus on integrating regenerative therapies and rehabilitation strategies. She joined the faculty at Cornell University in 2025 as an Assistant Professor of Large Animal Surgery, where she leads the Connard Laboratory, dedicated to advancing musculoskeletal health and performance in equine athletes and large animals.
Awards and Honors
- 2025 - Elaine and Betram Klein Development Award, The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation
- 2024 - American Association of Equine Practitioners Past President’s Research Award, The Foundation for the Horse
- 2024 - Graduate Student of the Year Award, Department of Clinical Sciences, NC State University
- 2024 - Comparative Medicine Institute Functional Tissue Engineering Associate Member Scholarship, NC State University
- 2022-2025 - Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NIH T32), NC State University Comparative Medicine and Translational Research Training Program
- 2022 - Large Animal One AO Award, AOVET North America
- 2020 - Large Animal One AO Award, AOVET North America
- 2020 - Outstanding Large Animal Surgical Resident Research Presentation Award, First Place, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Professional/Academic Affiliations
- American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)
- American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS)
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
- AOVET North America
- North American Veterinary Regenerative Medicine Association (NARVMA)
- Orthopedic Research Society (ORS)