President
Ji Ann Greenberg, DVM
Ji received her veterinary degree at THE Ohio State University where she worked on the necropsy floor and found her passion for pathology. She is currently a third year, anatomic pathology resident in the residency/PhD combined program and has recently started the PhD portion working with soft ticks in Saleh’s lab.
Ji loves rollerblading, cats, and daily ham and cheese sandwiches. Being from NYC/Long Island, bagels and pizza also have a special place in her heart.
Vice President
Avery Huang, DVM
Avery is originally from Taiwan and earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from National Taiwan University. She is currently pursuing a PhD in the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology at Texas A&M University under Dr. Candice Chu, working on microRNA biomarkers in chronic kidney disease.
Avery loves coffee, cooking, dogs, and misses the boba tea in Taiwan terribly!
Secretary
Rafaela Luiza Klein, DVM, MSc, PhD
Rafaela received her veterinary degree at the University of Passo Fundo in Brazil, where a single immunology class sparked her passion for host-pathogen interactions. She completed her MSc and Ph.D. in Veterinary Sciences studying bacterial pathogens and host immune responses. After her PhD, she pursued a postgraduate specialization in small animal veterinary physiotherapy, with a focus on pain management. She is currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Texas A&M University, where she investigates host immune responses to Rhodococcus equi, with a particular focus on immunometabolism and the role of the gut-lung axis in protection against infection.
In her free time, Rafaela enjoys playing padel and spending time with her two golden retrievers, Ayla and Sunday. Originally from the south of Brazil, she misses the real Brazilian barbecue.
Event Coordinator
Yumi Chang, DVM
Yumi earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from National Chung Hsing University in Taichung City, Taiwan, where she was born and raised. She is currently pursuing a PhD in the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology at Texas A&M University under Dr. Candice Chu. Her research focuses on the application of artificial intelligence in veterinary medicine.
Yumi enjoys spending time with her dog Momo, cooking, and exploring local thrift shops.
VSCS Representative
Teresa Schmidt, DVM, PhD
Teresa studied veterinary medicine at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria and at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany. She stayed at the Neurology in Hannover, where she obtained her PhD in Systems Neuroscience by investigating the microbiome-gut-brain axis in dogs with pharmacoresistant epilepsy. Teresa joined the GI lab at Texas A&M University as a Postdoctoral Research Associate to pursue her research.
Teresa loves spending time outdoors and traveling, exploring local wildlife and experiencing new cultures. When she is not on a great adventure, she spoils her dog to be worthy of his unconditional love.
VLCS Representative
Karin Borba, DVM
Karin is originally from Brazil, she earned her veterinary degree in Brazil and completed a two-year, full-time residency in Equine Medicine and Surgery at the University of São Paulo. She is currently a PhD student at Texas A&M University, with a focus on equine infectious disease. Her research explores the use of mRNA-encoded monoclonal antibodies delivered via nebulization for passive immunization against Rhodococcus equi in foals.
Outside the lab, Karin enjoys spending time with her family, eating good food, cooking, and has a serious love (or maybe addiction) to Coca-Cola.
VTPB Representative
Pabasara Weerarathne, MSc, PhD
Pabasara is originally from Sri Lanka, where she earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. She completed her Ph.D. at Oklahoma State University, focusing her research on Cytauxzoonosis, a parasitic disease affecting cats. With a growing interest in molecular parasitology, she joined Dr. Gui Verocai’s laboratory at Texas A&M University as a Postdoctoral Research Associate.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, exploring new places, and cooking.
