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Mimi Padmabandu

Contributor

Mimi Padmabandu

MA, BS, BA

Mimi Padmabandu is a scientific writer and Senior Content Strategist at Embark Veterinary. Her career includes a decade of experience writing about science and genomics for leading biotechnology companies, including Illumina and Thermo Fisher Scientific, between 2012 and 2020. Her published work covers technical topics in genomics, such as next-generation sequencing. She has also covered large genomics conferences, including the Plant and Animal Genome Conference and the American Society for Microbiology annual meeting.

She worked with genetic counselors and scientists to create scientific posters at Progenity (now Biora Therapeutics) from 2020 to 2021, where she also wrote about the company’s innovation in preeclampsia testing, gastrointestinal health, and oral biotherapeutics.

At Embark Veterinary, Mimi covers the company's ongoing research. She has written about the technology behind dog DNA testing, genetics, Embark's published discoveries, and more.

Mimi earned a master's degree in Early Modern English Literature from King's College London. She also holds bachelor’s degrees in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology and English from the University of California, Los Angeles.

All work

A female veterinarian examines a mixed-breed dog using a stethoscope.
Understanding Results

A Veterinarian Explains What Your Dog’s Mast Cell Tumor Risk Means

By

As part of our genetic health screening, Embark dog DNA tests can determine if some dogs are at increased risk of developing mast cell tumors (MCTs). This risk is based on genetic breed ancestry and other factors. This model offers a new way to estimate relative risk for MCTs, especially for mixed-breed dogs. We know...

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A Boxer dog sits outside on a pile of orange leaves.
Health Conditions

Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs

By

Knowing how to recognize common signs of mast cell tumors in dogs can help you catch them early. At Embark, we’re committed to improving the life and longevity of all dogs by providing our customers with information about their dogs’ health.  With that goal in mind, we now offer a genetic risk estimate that indicates...

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Customer Stories

Vardis Reunites With His Long-Lost Sister, Brunch

By

Vardis, a sweet-faced rescue pup, had spent most of his life in shelters and foster homes as he waited for his forever family. Along the way, with the help of an Embark dog DNA test, Vardis reunited with a special someone—his long-lost sister, Brunch. Their heartwarming reunion story appeared in The Dodo, People, and The...

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A brown and white mixed-breed dog looks up in front of a teal background.
Understanding Results

Dog Genetics 101

By

Genetics is the study of how DNA is passed down from one generation to the next. It is a complicated, always-changing field. Here, we’ll explain the basic concepts in dog genetics and define some genetics terms that you might see in your dog’s Embark results. Key terms in dog genetics explained You may see some...

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A brown dog with large ears sits on a wood floor, surrounded by dog toys.
Preventive Care

Dog Toy Safety Tips

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Toys are important parts of your dog’s life. They provide enrichment, exercise, an outlet for teething, and—most importantly—fun! But dog toys can also pose potential safety hazards. Keep your dog safe and avoid potential injuries with these dog toy safety tips. General dog toy safety tips Always inspect new toys before giving them to your dog....

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A dog receives first aid care at home, as a person wraps a gauze bandage around their front leg.
Preventive Care

Dog First Aid and Preparing for Emergencies

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Emergencies can strike at any time. Being prepared with a dog first aid kit and an emergency plan can help you respond to unexpected injuries, accidents, or natural disasters. In some cases, it may even be lifesaving. How to make a dog first aid kit Many of the items commonly found in a family first...

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A dog sniffs the lid of a metal garbage can.
Training & Behavior

Dietary Indiscretion in Dogs

By

Sometimes called “garbage gut,” dietary indiscretion is an issue that affects many pets, though it’s most common in dogs.  What is dietary indiscretion? Simply put, dietary indiscretion refers to any time your dog eats something they shouldn’t—including garbage, table scraps, or non-food items. It is often accompanied by signs of gastrointestinal (GI) upset, such as...

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A Rhodesian Ridgeback dog sits on the grass.
Health Conditions

Preparing Your Dog for Hearing Loss

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Congenital deafness is an inherited form of hearing loss in dogs. There are many types of congenital deafness in dogs, affecting at least 100 different breeds. One such form of hearing loss is early-onset adult deafness (EOAD) in Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs. (In fact, Embark scientists discovered this variant, in partnership with the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club...

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A person places their hand on top of their dog's head.
Health Conditions

Preparing Your Dog for Vision Loss

By

There are many causes of vision loss in dogs. As dogs get older, it’s natural for their eyesight to be less sharp than it used to be. Senior dogs are at increased risk of vision loss from various age-related conditions, including macular degeneration, iris atrophy, and geriatric cataracts.  The good news is that dogs generally...

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A woman in a yellow sweater, smiling, holds her dog up to her cheek
About Our Research

Embark Partners with AnimalBiome to Study the Dog Microbiome

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In partnership with AnimalBiome, leaders in canine microbiome research, Embark Veterinary now offers tests and supplements designed to support dogs’ digestive and oral health. What is the microbiome? Both humans and animals have a community of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms that live inside the body. Collectively called the microbiome, these microorganisms play important...

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A woman holds her dog on her lap while speaking with a male veterinarian wearing blue scrubs about her dog's MDR1 drug sensitivity.
Health Conditions

How to Talk to Your Veterinarian About Your Dog’s MDR1 Result

By

By knowing your dog’s genetic risk for MDR1 drug sensitivity, you and your veterinarian can take steps to make sure that your dog doesn’t have a bad reaction to certain drugs. What is MDR1? Multidrug Resistance 1 (MDR1) is caused by a genetic variant in the ABCB1 gene. Dogs who have this genetic variant are...

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An anxious Corgi dog peers out from under a table.
Training & Behavior

7 Ways to Manage Anxiety in Dogs

By

Anxiety in dogs is rarely a simple diagnosis. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, anxiety is a response to fear and agitation, or apprehension when your dog anticipates a scary situation. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to help your dog cope. What causes anxiety in dogs? There are many possible causes of...

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