Dermatology Service, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Veterinary Teaching Hospital
Associate Professor, UGA College of Veterinary Medicine Professor
Biography
Frane Banovic, DVM, PhD, DECVD, serves as a Professor of Veterinary Dermatology within the Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Veterinary Medicine. In addition to his UGA Professorship, he holds a guest Professorship at the University of Zagreb, Croatia. Dr. Banovic’s clinical foundation was built at North Carolina State University, where he completed both his residency in veterinary dermatology and a Fellowship in Investigative Dermatology.
As a prominent clinician-scientist, he utilizes interdisciplinary methods—specifically cell biology and next-generation sequencing—to advance the field. His research focuses on inflammatory skin conditions, with a particular emphasis on the translational links between human and animal atopic dermatitis, itch, and immune-mediated diseases. With over 100 peer-reviewed publications and presentations to his credit, Dr. Banovic has earned prestigious honors such as the UGA John M. Bowen Award for Excellence in Animal/Biomedical Research and both the Young and Established Investigator Clinical Research Awards.
Education
- D.V.M., University of Zagreb, Croatia, 2008
- Ph.D. in Microbiology, University of Zagreb, Croatia, 2008-2014
- Small Animal Rotating Internship, Ludwig-Maximillian University, Munich, Germany, 2010-2011
- Investigative Dermatology Residency, North Carolina State University, 2011-2014
- Fellowship in Investigative Dermatology, 2014-2015
Professional Certifications
European College of Veterinary Dermatology
Teaching
- VETM 5294 – Integumentary and Endocrine Systems II
- VETM5271L – Clinical Skills in Vet Med IIb Spring
- VETM 9000 – Doctoral Research
- VETM 7000 – Master Research
- VPAT 8004 – Dermatopathology Rounds
- SAMS 5435 – Small Animal Dermatology Rotation
Teaching Experience
- Professor of Veterinary Dermatology, University of Georgia, July 2026-present
- Adjunct Professor of Veterinary Dermatology, University of Zagreb, Croatia, 2021-present
- Associate Professor of Veterinary Dermatology, University of Georgia, July 2021- July 2026
- Assistant Professor of Veterinary Dermatology, University of Georgia, July 2015- July 2021
Clinical Interests
- Inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases
- Allergic (atopic) dermatitis across animals
Research Interests
- Canine atopic dermatitis and pathogenesis of staphylococcal pyoderma
- Canine skin adverse hypersensitivity reactions (toxic epidermal necrolysis)
- Autoimmune skin diseases – cutaneous lupus erythematosus in dogs
- Translational links between human and animal atopic dermatitis, itch, and immune-mediated diseases.
Publications
- Banovic F, Olivry T, Bazzle L, Tobias JR, Atlee B, Zabel S, Okunaka N and Linder KE. Clinical and Microscopic Characteristics of Canine Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. Veterinary Pathology 2015; 25:321-330.
- Olivry T, Rossi MA, Banovic F and Linder KE. Mucocutaneous lupus erythematosus in dogs (21 cases). Veterinary Dermatology 2015; 26: 256–e55.
- Banovic F, Lemo N. In vitro evaluation of the use of diluted sodium hypochlorite (bleach) against Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Malassezia pachydermatis. Veterinary Dermatology 2014; 25: 233-4.
- Banovic F, Olivry T, Linder KE. Ciclosporin Therapy for Generalized Canine Discoid Lupus Erythematosus Refractory to Doxycycline and Niacinamide. Veterinary Dermatology 2014; 25: 483-e79.
- Banovic F, Linder K, Boone A, Jennings S, Murphy KM. Cat scratch-induced Pasteurella multocida necrotizing cellulitis in a dog. Veterinary Dermatology 2013; 24: 463-e108.
- Banovic F, Koch S, Robson D, Jacob M, Olivry T. Deep pyoderma caused by Burkholderia cepacia complex in dogs treated with oral ciclosporin. Veterinary Dermatology 2015; 26: 287-e64.
