Do you know...Fernando Malalana?

Fernando was awarded his veterinary degree from the Complutense University in Madrid, Spain, in 2001. He worked for 9 months in small animal practice in Spain before moving to Yorkshire, in the UK, to work in mixed, but predominantly equine practice for 6 years. In 2008, he started a clinical scholarship (residency) in Equine Internal Medicine at the University of Liverpool’s Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital. He became a Diplomate of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine (ECEIM) in 2011. He has remained at the University of Liverpool since, initially as a Lecturer and currently as a Senior Lecturer in Equine Internal Medicine. He obtained a postgraduate Certificate in in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. In 2021 he completed a PhD in the epidemiology of uveitis. He was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (FRCVS) for meritorious contributions to clinical practice in 2023.

When did you start to have an interest in equine ophthalmology?

From my first ever job in small animal practice in Spain. My boss had an interest in eyes, so we had a good caseload of ocular cases and I just fell in love with ophthalmology. During my residency, I was lucky to have Professor Derek Knottenbelt as one of my supervisors. Derek had over the years built a reputation and caseload for ophthalmic cases, so it was a great place to be to develop my interest in ophthalmology. This was followed by human and veterinary courses and placements in other hospitals with big ophthalmology departments, and I also started to pursue research in the area. This eventually led to the completion of my PhD thesis in equine uveitis.
I love the beauty of the eye, its incredible anatomy and physiology and its complex immunology. I love that it is a challenging structure yet accessible and capable to be investigated with a variety of techniques and beautiful instruments. And, whilst I promise I am not a frustrated surgeon, it also allows me to perform delicate surgery on a regular basis.

How many people work in your hospital and research team?

At the Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital there are 16 specialists, including medics, surgeons, diagnostic imagers and anaesthetists. We currently also train 6 residents (2 of those are doing ECEIM residencies) and 5 interns.
Research wise, I have collaborations with multiple colleagues in other departments such as Pathology, Epidemiology and Human Ophthalmology so it is difficult to quantify.

What are the more prominent research lines you are working on?

My main areas of research have been in uveitis and equine oncology, but I am interested in all aspects of equine ophthalmology.

What research lines have you got in mind for the future?

I am currently starting some projects on superficial chronic corneal epithelial defects (non-healing ulcers) and the potential role of conjunctival stem cells as a treatment option.

Currently, you are one of the few specialists in Internal Medicine with a particular interest in equine ophthalmology. You work in a hospital with a high caseload, teach classes, and have a family. How do you manage to be so successful in all these areas?

I am very lucky to be part of two amazing teams. 
At work, together with my other medicine colleagues Harry Carslake, April Lawson and Amie Wilson, we provide a friendly and dynamic service, and we support each other’s needs on and off clinics and research interests. It is a great team to be part of. We work hard but we also have fun together. I cannot think of a better job.
And my other team, at home, with my wife and 2 boys. My wife is also a veterinary specialist (in neurology) so she understands the demands of this type of job, which makes things easier.

What advice do you have for the new diplomates with an interest in Equine Ophthalmology?

Go for it! There is a relatively small number of people with a big interested in equine ophthalmology, but it is a very friendly community. The International Equine Ophthalmology Consortium is the place to start (equineophtho.org).
I would also advise that you pursue your training by visiting some of the well-known equine ophthalmologists. Learn ocular anatomy, physiology and immunology as this is key to understanding the way the eye responds to the different disease processes and treatment options. 
And take lots of photos!

What are your favorite foods, colors, hobbies, and pets?

I love eating so it would be easier to say what I don’t like: peppers and coconut. Otherwise, I love sushi and Japanese food. I could also eat my bodyweight in pasta, any pasta, anytime. 
My favourite colour is orange.
Hobbies: I love skiing and I try to hit the slopes twice a year if I can. For the other 50 weeks of the year, I made the mistake of starting to do triathlons a few years ago. What started like a fun way to try to keep fit has ended up being an expensive and obsessive hobby. Whilst a knee injury and multiple missing toenails mean I don’t run that much nowadays, I still love cycling and the last couple of years I have done a few long-distance cycle-tour routes. I also love open water swimming and going to the gym.
My youngest son has had a few respiratory issues, so we haven’t got any pets. But I am a cat person and really miss having cats.

Operating on a horse’s eye

With some Liverpool students and a foal born from a caesarian