Lab Team

The Verocai Lab Team

The Verocai Lab

Associate Professor and Director

Dr. Guilherme G. Verocai, Associate Professor and Parasitology Diagnostic Lab Director at Texas A&M University

Gui Verocai


Associate Professor
gverocai@cvm.tamu.edu | 979-862-4999

Education:
• DVM (2005), Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• MSc (2008), Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• PhD (2015), University of Calgary, Canada
• 2015-2016, University of South Florida, Department of Global Health (Postdoctoral fellow)

Credentials:
• Director, Parasitology Diagnostic Laboratory
• Adjunct Faculty, Department of Infectious Diseases, UGA CVM
• Diplomate in Parasitology (2014), American College of Veterinary Microbiologists
• Texas Special veterinary License (2019) – S-567

Links:
VTPB profile
ResearchGate
TAMU Scholars

Postdocs

Dr. Pabasara Weerarathne Postdoctate Research at Texas A&M University

Pabasara Weerarathne


Postdoctoral Researcher
pabasaraw@exchange.tamu.edu

Education:
• BSc (2014), University of Sri Jayewardenepura
• MSc (2017), University of Sri Jayewardenepura
• PhD (2023), Oklahoma State University

Links:
Google Scholar Profile
ResearchGate
Rafael Ramos Postdoctate Research at Texas A&M University<br />

Rafael Ramos


Postdoctoral Researcher
rafael.ramos@tamu.edu

Education:
• BSc (),
• MSc (),
• PhD (2014), University of Bari Aldo Moro

Graduate Student

Kaylee Kipp Graduate Student at Texas A&M University

Kaylee Kipp


PhD Student
kkipp@tamu.edu

Education:
• BS (2018), Texas A&M University – Commerce
• MS (2020), Texas A&M University – Commerce

Links:
ResearchGate
Maureen Kelly Graduate Student at Texas A&M University

Maureen Kelly


PhD Student
mkelly3456@tamu.edu

Education:
• BS (2018), Barry University
• MS (2021), Tulane University

Links:
ResearchGate
Ian Daniel Graduate Student at Texas A&M University

Ian Daniel


PhD Student
ian.daniel@tamu.edu

Education:
• BS (2015), Kisii University
• MS (2021), University of Arkansas Pine Bluff

Links:
ResearchGate
Tiana Sanders Graduate Student at Texas A&M University

Tiana Sanders


PhD Student
tlsanders2415@tamu.edu

Education:
• BS (2015), Oklahoma State University
• DVM (2023), Oklahoma State University

Links:
ResearchGate

Brian Reiber


PhD Student
breiber@tamu.edu

Education:
• BS (2022), Binghamton University, State University of New York
• MPH (2025), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Links:
ResearchGate

Staff

Joe Luksovsky Diagnostic Laboratory Technician at Texas A&M University

Joe Luksovsky


Laboratory Technician
jluksovsky@cvm.tamu.edu

Education:
• BS (2007), Texas A&M University
• MS (2011), Texas A&M University

Links:
ResearchGate
Dr. Likun Panda Research Associate at Texas A&M University

Likun Panda


Research Associate
likun_7_99@tamu.edu

Education:
• BTech (2010), Vellore institute of technology
• MTech (2012), Vellore institute of technology
• PhD (2022), Université Laval

Professional Appointments:
• 2012, Assistant Professor, National institute of technology
• 2021, Research Associate, Université Laval

Links:
Google Scholar
ResearchGate

DVM Students

Daniela

Daniela Sierra


Research Assistant
das20@tamu.edu

Dani is a third year veterinary student who is interested in zoo/exotic medicine. Dani completed the Veterinary Medical Student Research Training Program in the summer of 2024 where she conducted a study on the prevalence of the rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis at the Houston zoo.
Emily Orr Research Assistant at Texas A&M University

Emily Orr


Research Assistant
emily.orr@tamu.edu

Emily is a 2nd year veterinary student interested in a surgery residency once she completes vet school. She has been an integral team member and helps on various projects here in the lab.
Alexa Tapia Research Assistant at Texas A&M University

McKenzi Leek


Research Assistant
mckenzileek@exchange.tamu.edu

McKenzi is a second-year veterinary student interested in mixed animal and zoo/exotic animal practice when she graduates. She currently works in the parasite diagnostic laboratory.

Former Lab Members

Dr. Meriam SalehFormer Doctoral Researcher

Meriam Saleh



Current Employment
Clinical Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University

Links:
Google Scholar Profile
ResearchGate
Dr. Matthew KulpaFormer Ph.D. Student

Matthew Kulpa



Current Employment
Postdoctoral Research Associate at Washington University

Links:
Personal Website
ResearchGate
Dr. Hassan Hakimi Former Postdoctoral Researcher

Hassan Hakimi



Current Employment
Assistant Professor of Veterinary Parasitology at Kansas State University

Links:
Google Scholar Profile
ResearchGate
Alexa TapiaFormer Research Assistant

Alexa Tapia



Diane BricenoFormer Research Assistant

Diane Briceno


Mary SchechFormer Research Assistant

Mary Schech


Caroline Sobotyk de OliveiraFormer Post-Doc and NCVP Resident
Caroline Sobotyk de Oliveira, 2022

Current Employment
Assistant Professor of Clinical Parasitology at University of Pennsylvania

Links:
NCVP
Research Gate
Tatiani V. HarveyFormer Post-Doc
Tatiani V. Harvey, 2022


Elias Topo Former Research Associate
Elias Topo
Neha Tyagi Former Research Associate
Neha Tyagi


KaileyFormer Visiting Student:
Kailey Wichman, 2022 (2nd year DVM Student)
Valerio SulliottiFormer Visiting Student:
Valerio Sulliotti, 2022 (3rd year PhD student)
GiuliaFormer Visiting Student:
Giulia Pilati 2019
Former DVM Student:
Cora Garcia, 202
Kelsey O'HaraFormer DVM Student:
Kelsey O'Hara, 2023
Carmen VolzFormer DVM Student:
Carmen Volz, 2023

Sasha AdamsFormer DVM Student:
Sasha Adams
Former DVM Student:
Jordan Gomez, 2022
Kaitlyn UptonFormer DVM Student:
Kaitlyn Upton, 2022
Dr. Hannah DanksFormer DVM Student:
Hannah Danks, 2022
Dr. Andrew BrownFormer DVM Student:
Andrew Brown, 2022
Dr. Veronica NegronFormer DVM Student:
Veronica Negron, 2021
Dr. Veronica Negron
Former DVM Student:
Sarah Jeffreys, 2021
Former Undergraduate Student
Brianna Flores, 2023

Gabby FerrerFormer Undergraduate Student
Gabriella Ferrer, 2022
Amanda VarnerFormer Undergraduate Student
Amanda Varner, 2021
Nathalia NguyenFormer Undergraduate Student
Nathalia Nguyen, 2020