Boyko with Nina, a past Embark client, in the Vet College atrium. (Jason Koski / Cornell University) Campus & Beyond With a Woof and a Swab, Vet Prof’s Company Decodes Doggie DNA Stories You May Like What’s White and Fluffy and Has a Dozen Paws? Alum’s Dog Troupe! Once Upon a Time, Canines Cavorted on the Hill—Even in Class Alumna and CALS Prof Studies Genetics of Famed Sled Dog Balto Founded a decade ago, Embark gives owners detailed info on their canine companion’s breed, health risks, and more By Melissa Newcomb Many dog owners speculate about what combination of breeds make up their furry friend’s DNA. But what about whether their canine companion has genetic risks for certain diseases, what their ideal weight is, or even if they have a relative nearby? Adam Boyko, an associate professor of biomedical sciences in the Vet College, cofounded Embark to give pet parents the answers to those questions, and many more. provided “Your dog is a member of the family—but it’s a member that doesn’t have a family history, so you don’t know its medical history or who its relatives are, and in some cases you don’t know where your dog came from,” says Boyko, who teaches medical genetics to first-year students. “This is a way of getting to know your dog better.” Embark’s Breed and Health Dog DNA Test, the company’s most comprehensive, screens for more than 270 health risks and 55 traits across over 350 breeds, as well as potential allergy risks. Your dog is a member of the family—but it’s a member that doesn’t have a family history. Other tests assess age, gut health, or breed; prices range from $129–199, but they can often be found on sale. Says Boyko: “It’s really rewarding to see people get such joy out of learning so much about their dog.” As in many human DNA tests, the kits require users to take a mouth swab and send it back to the company. Jason Koski / Cornell UniversityBoyko demonstrates how to take a sample from a furry volunteer. Boyko says the results can help owners give their pets a higher quality of life—for example, by taking preventive measures if a dog is found to be prone to a particular health condition. He recalls one dramatic case, which a customer described in a thank-you letter. Stories You May Like What’s White and Fluffy and Has a Dozen Paws? Alum’s Dog Troupe! Once Upon a Time, Canines Cavorted on the Hill—Even in Class It’s really rewarding to see people get such joy out of learning so much about their dog. “Their dog was at risk for a bleeding disorder,” Boyko says. “And because they knew that, when their dog got into an accident a few months later, they took him to a vet that had transfusion supplies, because they knew there may be an issue with surgery. It saved the dog’s life.” While Embark is now based in Boston—and the lab where the DNA extraction and genotyping are done is in California—the company has its roots on the Hill. providedThe breed results for Nina, our canine model seen above. After earning a doctorate in biology from Purdue, Boyko did a postdoc in a Cornell genetics lab, and eventually joined the Vet faculty. He and his brother co-founded Embark in 2015 at Cornell’s Center for Life Sciences Ventures, an incubator that helps start-ups with research and development. The company maintains a research facility in Ithaca and continues to partner with the Vet College on its studies of canine genetics. The work is powered by Embark’s database of more than 2.5 million test samples. While owners can opt out of having their pet’s DNA included in studies, Boyko says, a large majority choose to participate. Findings have included ways to reduce the health dangers of inbreeding, and the development of a test that can help eliminate congenital deafness in Rhodesian Ridgebacks through selective breeding. Embark has also landed some creative partnerships and national media coverage over the years—including appearing on the “Today” show, making Oprah’s “Favorite Things” list, and partnering with both Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl and the Westminster Kennel Club show. providedBoyko (at left) with his brother and co-founder at the 2017 Puppy Bowl. “This is one of the best ways to demonstrate the value of research to the public,” Boyko says of Embark. “We give something back with this product that people enjoy; we teach them a bit about genetics; and their dog becomes part of the data set that contributes to research. It goes full circle.” Top: Boyko with Nina, a past Embark client, in the Vet College atrium. (Jason Koski / Cornell University) Published July 24, 2025 Leave a Comment Cancel replyOnce your comment is approved, your email address will not be published. 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