Our Team

Dr. Ammar is a current postdoctoral associate and the National Center of Veterinary Parasitology (NCVP) resident at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM) under the supervision of Dr. John Gilleard. Sawsan’s postdoctoral research and residency aims to translate advanced technologies into routine diagnostic applications. Sawsan is a licensed veterinarian in Egypt and first obtained her license in 2009 after graduating from Sadat city University, Collage of Veterinary Medicine in Egypt. Following graduation from Veterinary collage, Sawsan did her MSc at the same university working on Tuberculosis in water buffaloes in Egypt.  Sawsan then worked on Toxoplasma gondii prevalence and transmission dynamics in wild birds during her PhD under the supervision of Drs. Richard Gerhold and Dr. John Schaefer at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. After her PhD graduation, Sawsan gained experience on bird trichomonads and histomonads and on the use of double stranded RNA as pesticides against fall armyworm during her postdoctoral appointments at the university of Tennessee.

Jim’s career started in the Prince Edward Island Provincial Necropsy Suite which swiftly moved into the brand new Atlantic Veterinary College of the University of PEI in 1985.  There Jim gained extensive experience within the Diagnostic Services Department.  He worked closely with Anatomy, Histology, and the Fish and Wildlife Department while he was based in Pathology.  In his 23 years at the AVC, he worked alongside many distinguished and accomplished veterinary doctors from around the globe. In 2008, Jim needed a change and was enticed to join the new University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. He began his position before the Clinical Skills Building was even finalized.  One of Jim’s first endeavors was to set up the necropsy suite for teaching, diagnostics, research, and wildlife pathology.  The next big accomplishment was to see Canada’s very first alkaline biodigester operational in 2010. His mechanical skills and innovation are essential to the day to day function of this equipment. Jim is currently pursuing certification as a Class 5 Power Engineer to further his ability to enhance the maintenance and sustainability of the necropsy lab. Jim is passionate about everything he undertakes, but especially enjoys passing on his 30+ years of knowledge and experience to the DVM students.  He is also grateful for the amazing team-oriented people he works with at the DSU.

 

Nancy completed her training in Medical Laboratory Technology in 1985. She started her career at the Calgary General Hospital working round-the-clock shifts doing chemical analyses on blood and body fluids. After several years she transitioned into Histology where she enjoyed the learning opportunities provided by working side-by-side with pathologists. Nancy discovered her passion for teaching when she took an instructor position at SAIT. This was flowed by another instructor position at SIAST in Saskatoon. The last six years of her Med Lab career were spent running a simulated Histology Lab at the Alberta Children’s Hospital where she trained Med Lab students in their practicum year. She first joined the DSU in November of 2022, and was very excited to be working once again in an educational institution. She is fascinated by the work that takes place at the DSU and is happy to be a part of it.

Dr. Davies obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with Distinction at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) in 2001. At WCVM, she completed her Master of Veterinary Science in 2003 and her Senior Residency in Anatomic Pathology in 2004. Dr. Davies became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (Anatomic Pathology) in 2004. She has extensive diagnostic experience in private industry, in provincial diagnostic laboratories and in academia. Dr. Davies joined the University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in 2011 where she is an Associate Professor (Teaching) in Anatomic Pathology  and the Director of the Diagnostic Services Unit.   Her position at UCVM combines her passion for diagnostic pathology and teaching. In particular, she enjoys the challenge of leadership as the DSU team strives to meet the vision of becoming a center of diagnostic expertise and excellence in Alberta.

 

Manga graduated with a DVM in 2012 and completed master’s in veterinary microbiology from India in 2015. Her master's research project on canine and feline parvoviruses investigated their predominant strains by PCR and VP2 gene sequence phylogeny. She started her career as a Research assistant at the National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), India in 2016 and worked on a brucellosis network project. In 2017 she joined as an Assistant professor in a multidisciplinary diagnostic laboratory in SV veterinary university, India. Her prime responsibilities for this position included diagnosis of bacterial and viral diseases from clinical samples sourced from veterinary teaching hospital and imparting training to field veterinarians on molecular diagnostics. She joined the Diagnostic Services Unit as a serology technician in 2023.

After graduating from the Faculty of Science, Chemistry and Microbiology department, Alexandria University in 2004, Mai Farghaly obtained a post-graduate diploma in Microbiology in 2006. She started her career as a Medical Laboratory Specialist after getting her license to practice the profession from the Ministry of Health in Egypt in 2006. Afterwards, she obtained her license as a Microbiology Specialist from the Saudi Commission of Health Specialists. Mai has many years of experience as a Medical Laboratory Specialist and a Microbiologist in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. She has been a Registered Microbiologist (RM CCM) at the Canadian College of Microbiologists since 2017. At UCVM, she completed her MSc of Veterinary Medical Sciences (Bacteriology) degree in 2020 and joined the Diagnostic Services Unit in January 2021.

Patrick received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of British Columbia in 2015 and his Animal Health Technology diploma from Thompson Rivers University in 2019. From there, he worked at the Centre for Comparative Medicine at UBC for 4 years. As a research RVT, he was given the opportunity to work with a variety of species including pigs, alpacas and sheep involved in research projects ranging from spinal cord injury therapies, renal transplants, and open-heart surgery. After two and a half years he was promoted to senior technician. He helped coordinate research projects with research teams assigned to him and managed a team of specialized Registered Vet Techs at the facility. In 2021 he received his Registered Laboratory Animal Technician designation and in 2023 he completed his Certificate in Project Management from the Sauder School of Business. Patrick joined the DSU in 2023 as a Necropsy Technician.

Karan completed his BSc in Microbiology from Mehsana Urban Institute of Sciences, Ganpat University, India in 2018. After working in Healthcare solutions for the United States, Karan obtained his post-secondary diploma in Bioscience Technology in 2021 from Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Saskatoon. He started his career as a Microbiology Laboratory Technologist by joining Prairie Diagnostic Services Inc., University of Saskatchewan in 2021. With the experience he gained in diagnostic bacteriology and poultry fluff/colostrum sample testing, Karan joined University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine as a Bacteriology Technician in 2022.

After graduating from the University of Winnipeg with her BSc in 2003, Dr. Angelica Galezowski obtained her DVM from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at the University of Saskatchewan in 2007. She entered a three year clinical pathology residency program at the WCVM thereafter and became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP) in 2010. Dr. Galezowski joined the Veterinary Diagnostics Services (VDS) pathology team in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 2010 and in 2013, she was appointed the diagnostic lead for the clinical pathology laboratory. Dr. Galezowski joined the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary in 2017 as an Associate Professor in Clinical Pathology.

Graduated from UCVM in 2013 as part of the second graduating class of vet students. Completed a residency in Anatomic Pathology at the University of California Davis becoming a diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists in 2016. Worked as a sessional instructor as part of the department of Ecosystem and Public Health at UCVM for 9 months in 2016-2017. Returned to California to work as a diagnostic pathologist at one of the CAHFS state labs for 2 years before returning to Calgary as an instructor and diagnostic pathologist.

Lori graduated from the Medical Laboratory Technology program at SAIT and was certified by the Canadian Society for Laboratory Technologists (now the CSMLS) in 1989.  She spent the following 30+ years in healthcare working as a Medical Laboratory Technologist in Histology. In 2018 Lori took on the role of Histology Preceptor with Alberta Precision Laboratories. This role involved teaching SAIT MLT students histology skills during their practicum. In June of 2022 Lori left the world of human medicine and joined the UCVM Diagnostic Services Unit as Histology Supervisor. 

Dr. Ashish Gupta hails from Himachal Pradesh in Northern India. He is passionate about his work and has extensive research and diagnostic experience in poultry. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (DVM) from Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University in India in 2009.  He completed Ph.D. and Post Doctoral training at WCVM, U of Saskatchewan in 2018 and 2019, respectively with a focus on vaccination strategies for infectious diseases in Poultry. He further completed the Residency and Senior residency program in Anatomic Pathology in 2021 and 2022 at WCVM, U of Saskatchewan. He obtained board certification from the American College of Veterinary Pathologists in 2022. Dr. Ashish Gupta joined as an Assistant Professor (Teaching) in Anatomic Pathology in 2022. His goal is to provide diagnostic services to poultry producers in Alberta. 

Kerin completed her BSc in Biological Science with a minor in Agriculture at the University of Guelph in 2017, and then her MSc in Biology at the University of Ottawa as part of the Research Affiliate Program at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. After taking a professional break to pursue her career in high performance rowing and represent Canada at the Pan Am Games Qualification Regatta, she is keen to get back to work, drawing from her previous administrative and laboratory experience at The Ottawa Hospital. With a passion for agriculture and helping others, she is excited to do her part for the fun, hardworking team at the UCVM DSU and the animal health community it serves.

Chloe completed her BSc in Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University, England in 2014. She previously worked as a Medical Laboratory Assistant at Royal Preston Hospital and as a Laboratory Technician supporting teaching and research at the University of Central Lancashire. Since moving to Canada in 2022, Chloe worked in the University of Calgary Health Sciences Animal Resources Centre as an Animal Technician before joining the UCVM Diagnostic Services Unit in August 2023. 

Dr. Knight obtained his veterinary degree from Massey University, New Zealand, in 1992. He taught at Massey University, Michigan State University and Cornell University until 2003. In 2006, he completed a residency in Anatomic Pathology at Cornell University and became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (Anatomic Pathology) in 2008. He joined the University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in 2012 as an Associate Professor in Anatomic Pathology with an emphasis on veterinary undergraduate teaching. As a diagnostic pathologist he has a particular interest in equine disease, and his PhD and current research focus on equine papillomaviruses and their connection to cancer in horses. 

Jenn completed her BSc. (Biology and Biotechnology) at the University of Saskatchewan.  After completing her degree, she worked for 2 seasons with the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at the University of Saskatchewan on their Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Program. Since then she has worked in Quality Control in the Microbiology lab at Emergent BioSolutions in Winnipeg. Jenn then moved to Saskatoon where she held a position in Quality Assurance with Novozymes Biologicals Inc.  In 2014, Jenn joined UCVM as a Necropsy Technician for the Diagnostic Services Unit (DSU). With the knowledge she gained in necropsy and her desire to return to a laboratory setting, Jenn joined Histology in 2018.

Dr. Legge completed her Master of Science in the spring 2005 while continuing the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC). She graduated from the DVM program in 2007 and had a brief career in small animal practice. Dr. Legge returned to AVC, where she completed the combined Master of Veterinary Science and Anatomic Pathology Residency program in 2011. Dr. Legge became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (Anatomic Pathology) in September 2011 and accepted a diagnostic pathologist position at the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Laboratory. In 2013, Dr. Legge joined UCVM as a Diagnostic Pathologist with the Diagnostic Services Unit, and in 2017 she briefly left to fill the Provincial Veterinary Pathologist and Laboratory Manager position for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. As of June 2019, she has since rejoined UCVM as an Assistant Professor (Teaching) in Anatomic Pathology.

Callum graduated from The University of Abertay, Dundee in 2019 with a BSc (hons) in Biomedical Science. After gaining state registration as a Biomedical Scientist, he gained employment with the University of Edinburgh working in the Forensic Medicine and Neuropathology unit performing specialist diagnostic histopathology techniques. Callum particularly excelled in the development and implementation of immunohistochemistry protocols using the Leica Bond platform; and performing RNA in situ hybridization staining. He joined the UCVM Diagnostic Services Unit team in September 2023 after moving to Canada and is excited to be a part of the unit as it grows.

Dr. Morrison pursued a dual DVM/MSc degree at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM). She obtained her DVM in 2017 and completed her MSc in Veterinary Microbiology (Bacteriology) in 2019. She gained further research, teaching and diagnostic bacteriology/molecular microbiology experience during her postdoctoral fellowship at the WCVM in partnership with Prairie Diagnostic Services Inc. In 2020, Dr. Morrison joined the University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine as a Clinical Veterinary Microbiologist with the Diagnostic Services Unit.

Mel Nicolas started his career as a Necropsy Technician at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in 2009.   He assists pathologists and researchers in the preparation of animals for postmortem examination and in sample collection.  He particularly excels at more complex dissections involving the collection of samples such as brain, spinal cord and bone marrow.

Ciara completed her BSc in Natural Sciences with Zoology at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland in 2015. She moved to Canada shortly after where she worked in various wildlife rehabilitation and zoological facilities. After deciding to make the move permanent, she obtained her Animal Health Technology diploma at NAIT in Edmonton. Since then, she has worked as a Registered Veterinary Technologist in small animal practice and wildlife rehabilitation, and as a pathology technician at the Animal Health Centre laboratory in British Columbia. She joined the UCVM Diagnostic Services Unit team in February 2023 and is excited to be a part of the unit as it grows.

Dr. Rogers completed her BSc in Chemistry from Trinity Western University in 2011 and then obtained her DVM from WCVM in 2015. After graduating, she went onto an internship in Equine Field Service at WCVM, after which she moved back to Calgary and spent a few years in private equine practice. Dr. Rogers returned to school, this time at UCVM to complete her MSc in Veterinary Epidemiology in 2020. She joined UCVM as the Program Outreach Coordinator for the livestock services expansion at the DSU in 2021.

Dr. Rothenburger is originally from Radisson, Saskatchewan and graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at the University of Saskatchewan in 2010. She practiced as a small animal veterinarian then trained in anatomic veterinary pathology with a focus on wildlife and obtained a Master of Veterinary Science degree in 2013 and completed the Senior Residency in 2014 at the WCVM. She became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (Anatomic Pathology) in 2015 and completed a PhD in Pathobiology from the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph in 2018. Dr. Rothenburger joined the University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in February, 2018 and has a particular interest in diseases that affect wild animals. Her research focuses on infectious diseases at the intersection of the environment, people, wildlife and domestic animals.

Sara began studying horse parasites as part of an undergraduate research project at Vancouver Island University. Her love of horses and fascination after completing a parasitology course, lead her to combine these interests and she completed an honours project and completed a BSc. in Biology. At the University of Lethbridge she continued on to graduate school, investigating the prevalence and developing diagnostic assays for horse tapeworms. In 2008, she completed her Master of Science degree and continued into a new area of research investigating the treatment of heaves in horses, at the University of Calgary, in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Shortly after she took a permanent position organizing and teaching anatomy labs, then on to pathology and parasitology labs for the vet students.  In 2022 she took the role of Operations Manager for the Diagnostic Services Unit, and is excited about the mission to advance education, research and scholarly programs through the expansion of the DSU.

Dr. Wagg graduated with a BSc in Biology from Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1993 and then with a DVM from the Atlantic Veterinary College, Prince Edward Island in 1998. After several years in small animal practice, she completed a residency program in clinical pathology at the Faculté de Médicine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal and became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists. Dr. Wagg joined the veterinary medicine faculty at the University of Calgary in January 2009. She is currently a Associate Professor (Teaching) in Clinical Pathology and her research interests are mainly related to education and the teaching and learning of clinical pathology within a veterinary curriculum. Dr. Wagg is a member of the American College of Veterinary Pathology Board Exam Committee.

Katie worked in mixed and farm animal clinical practice in the UK for 5 years after graduating from the University of Bristol. She completed a PhD at Nottingham Vet School, followed by an industry funded anatomic pathology residency based between the University of Nottingham and Farm Post Mortems Ltd in Northern England. During this time she was awarded a Masters degree for investigations into laryngeal chondritis in Texel sheep. Katie remained at Nottingham to set up a new farm animal diagnostic pathology service, before moving to a diagnostic histopathology laboratory. She joined UCVM as an anatomic pathologist in May 2023. Katie is a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Pathologists and her main interest is diagnostic pathology of cattle and sheep.

Dr. Warren graduated as a veterinarian from the University of Queensland, School of Veterinary Science in Brisbane, Australia in 2001 with first class honours and university medal. In 2002, she completed an internship in small animal medicine, surgery and emergency medicine at the Queensland Veterinary Specialist Centre in Brisbane Australia. She then completed a residency in anatomic pathology at Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, New York. Dr. Warren became a Diplomate of American College of Veterinary Pathologists in anatomic pathology in 2006. In 2006-2007, she completed a residency in clinical pathology at Cornell University and became a Diplomate of the ACVP in clinical pathology in 2007. Dr. Warren has been with UCVM since 2008 and completed her PhD in medical education at the University of Calgary in 2013. Dr. Warren is the president-elect of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, has chaired the educational focus group, and is a member of the ACVP Board Exam Committee.

After graduating from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) with a DVM in 2007, Erin spent 2 years as a mixed practice veterinarian in Pincher Creek, Alberta, followed by 4 years as a companion animal veterinarian in the same practice. She finished an anatomic pathologic residency program at the WCVM in 2015 and completed a Senior Residency at the WCVM the following year. In 2017, Erin began working as a diagnostic veterinary anatomic pathologist with Prairie Diagnostic Services in Saskatoon. In 2020, Dr. Zachar joined UCVM as a Diagnostic Veterinary Anatomic Pathologist with the Diagnostic Services Unit. Erin comes from a family of veterinarians; her father practices in Pincher Creek, Alberta, and her sister in Wetaskiwin. She is happy to be back living and working in Alberta!