About

Dr. Joelle Fenger is a board-certified veterinary medical oncologist committed to improving cancer care for pets and translating those discoveries to benefit human medicine. She is a locum Medical Oncologist within Ethos Veterinary Health's referral oncology practices and is an Associate at Ethos Discovery, a nonprofit focused on advancing solutions for complex diseases in animals and humans.

Dr. Fenger joined Ethos in 2021 and brings deep experience from both clinical and research settings. She earned her DVM from UC Davis and completed a combined medical oncology residency and PhD in Comparative and Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University. Her research has focused on uncovering the molecular drivers of cancer in dogs—particularly in bone and mast cell tumors—and identifying novel therapeutic targets. Following her training, Dr. Fenger joined the faculty at OSU as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. There, she led a translational research lab studying microRNA dysregulation in canine and human sarcomas and evaluating novel treatments for osteosarcoma. She also directed the Medical Oncology Residency Program, led the Comparative and Translational Oncology Signature Program, and built multi-institutional collaborations with leading cancer research institutions.

Beyond her clinical and research work, Dr. Fenger is passionate about educating the veterinary community. She serves on the Scientific Education Committee for the Veterinary Cancer Society, contributes to textbooks and scientific publications, and lectures nationally and internationally. As both a clinician-scientist and pet parent, she values team-based, translational approaches to improving outcomes for pets and people affected by cancer.

Outside of work, Dr. Fenger is an avid reader, traveler, hiker, and and enjoys antique show lurking (always on the lookout for mid-century modern inspired treasures!). She is passionate about gardening and environmental sustainability; over the past few years, she has undertaken efforts at her house in Columbus, Ohio to xeriscape with native plants and wildflowers that support the local ecosystem and pollinators. She is a certified cat lover and enjoys spending time outdoors in her garden habitat her spoiled cat, Bowser.

Education

University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine

The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine PhD in Comparative and Veterinary Medicine

The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Internship

The Ohio State University Oncology Residency

American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Diplomate, Board Certified in Medical Oncology