Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ožbalt Podpečan, DVM, MSc, PhD, Dip ECBHM, is a distinguished veterinarian and academic specializing in bovine health management, reproduction, and animal welfare. He has extensive field experience as a bovine and swine practitioner (1997–2022) and held leadership roles at the Savinian Veterinary Policlinic in Žalec, including Head of the Department for Food-producing Animals (2009–2022).

Since 2018, he has served as an Associate Professor at the Clinic for Reproduction and Large Animals, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, where he is now fully employed. He currently leads the National Centre for Animal Welfare (since 2022). Dr. Podpečan also served as President of the Veterinary Chamber of Slovenia (2016–2024) and has been an active member of its executive bodies for over a decade.

He earned his DVM from the University of Ljubljana (1997), completed training at Ghent University (1998), and obtained his MSc (2005) and PhD (2008), focusing on dairy cattle reproduction and epidemiology of intramammary infections. He became a Diplomate of the European College of Bovine Health Management in 2007.

Dr. Podpečan has coordinated major international projects, including the ERASMUS+ ART-REM initiative, and leads research on precision livestock farming (ULTRA project). He has co-organized numerous international veterinary congresses and is an author of many scientific and professional publications.