Assoc ProfessorAntonella Puggioni

I am an EBVS® recognised European Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging with extensive experience in both academic and clinical settings. Since 2007, I have served as an Assistant Professor at the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine and as a Clinical Radiologist at the UCD Veterinary Teaching Hospital. In 2022 I was promoted to Associate Professor.

My role integrates academic leadership with clinical excellence, enabling me to combine my passion for diagnostic imaging with a strong commitment to veterinary education. I contribute extensively to undergraduate and graduate teaching through lectures, practical instruction, and clinical rotations, ensuring students receive high-quality, tertiary-level training grounded in real-world clinical practice. In addition, I am actively involved in residency training, providing structured, professional mentorship to support residents in their development as specialists and future Diplomates of the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging.

My interests spread throughout all aspects of Diagnostic Imaging, with a particular passion for good old radiology.

Currently, I am channeling my expertise into a PhD project that feels like the "next frontier" for our field: developing a Mixed Reality system to teach equine radiography. By blending virtual and physical worlds, we are creating a safer, more intuitive way for students to master complex imaging techniques.

My career began in my hometown of Sassari, Italy, where I graduated cum laude in 1999.
After a brief period working in small animal private practice and a scholarship to work in the equine hospital at the University Veterinary Hospital in Dublin, in 2002 I started the Residency in diagnostic imaging at the University Veterinary Hospital in Dublin.
During the four years of training I was awarded the Certificate in Veterinary diagnostic imaging from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (2005) and the Diploma in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging from the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (2006). Once I finished my residency, I was appointed as Assistant Professor in the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine (2007).
In 2019 I was awarded the Professional Diploma in University teaching and learning.
In 2022 I was awarded the Certificate in Innovation and Creativity for Entrepreneurial Educators by UCD Innovation Academy.
In 2023 I was awarded the Professional Diploma in Innovation and Creativity for Entrepreneurial Educators by UCD Innovation Academy.Between 2018 and 2023 I have been Stage coordinator of Year 4 of the MVB degree programme and Stage III of the Graduate entry programme.

In June 2023 I was elected President of the European Association of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (EAVDI).

I am currently co-chair of ITEC, a committee of the EUropean College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging dedicated to create mock assessment for residents in training.

Across the years I have been invited as recurring visiting Professor at Italian (Faculties of Sassari and Teramo) and Estonian (Eesti Maaulikool Tartu) Universities. I was an invited speaker to national and international congresses (SCIVAC in Italy, AVEPA in Spain, AVA in Ireland), and as instructor to ultrasound and radiology courses and CPD (CPD Solutions UK- Tutor of Module 3 of the Certificate in small animal diagnostic Imaging-, SCIVAC in Italy, XLvet/PVN/VICAS/Kildare vet soc in Ireland) .

I am thesis supervisor of one DVMS student and co-supervisor of two more.

My hobbies/interests spans from salsa and bachata dancing to listening to good music, reading, sewing, interior design. I love all types of animals and plants, but my biggest passions in life are my two amazing sons.