The Program

Raquel and Erin examining samples using microscopes in a laboratory workspace.

The Department of Veterinary Pathobiology (VTPB) has a dynamic and successful pathology residency program. The program trains residents to become competent diagnostic pathologists and builds a foundation for graduate research training. The three-year program fulfills the eligibility requirements for the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP) certification examination, and the program has an outstanding record of trainees becoming ACVP diplomates.

The department supports residency positions in clinical pathology and anatomic pathology. The program consists of diagnostic service rotations, formal coursework, and various regular diagnostic and research seminars. The many diverse areas of faculty specialization within the department provide excellent opportunities for graduate study. The department provides diagnostic services in clinical, surgical, and necropsy pathology to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH). Residents obtain teaching experience by instructing veterinary students in the second-year pathology course (didactic lectures and laboratories) and fourth-year necropsy/clinical pathology rotations. Stipends and benefits are highly competitive with similar programs.

Students examining tissue samples using microscopes during a pathology lab session.

Residents are strongly encouraged to identify a PhD research mentor and to begin working on a research project during the residency. Sources of post-residency PhD stipend support include an NIH T32 institutional training grant. In addition to numerous research opportunities within the college, residents have the option of performing research at the Texas A&M School of Medicine and the Institute of Biosciences and Technology at the Texas Medical Center in Houston.

The College

The Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) consistently ranks among the top US veterinary schools. The student population includes over 600 professional DVM students and approximately 150 graduate students. Signature programs within the college include cardiovascular sciences, neurosciences, environmental medicine/toxicology, biodefense, and emerging infectious diseases, reproductive biology, and biomedical genomics. Research centers and institutes include the Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases, the Michael E. DeBakey Institute for Comparative Cardiovascular Science & Biomedical Devices, the Schubot Center for Avian Health, and the Center for Innovation in Advanced Development & Manufacturing.

The University

Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University is a land, space, and sea-grant-designated institution with over 79,000 students, 140 undergraduate degree programs, and 260 graduate degree programs. With over $1.4 billion in research expenditures in 2024, Texas A&M is a major research university with a growing international focus. The school ranks among the top U.S. universities in attracting international students, with more than 6,000 students from 137 countries. The Texas A&M University System and the Texas A&M Foundation benefit from outstanding public and private support, with an endowment that ranks in the top ten among all U.S. universities (top two among public universities in the U.S.).

The Area

Large crowd gathered at an outdoor amphitheater watching a live performance on stage.

The Bryan / College Station area, with a population of more than 250,000, offers a culturally diverse college-town atmosphere, a broad range of cultural and recreational opportunities, a relatively low cost of living, and mild winter temperatures. The area is situated between Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas/Fort Worth.

Further Information

For further information, contact Dr. Mary Nabity (Clinical Pathology) or Dr. Brian Porter (Anatomic Pathology). Residency position announcements are posted on the ACVP Training Center.

The Texas A&M University System is an equal-opportunity employer.

Program Faculty

Garry Adams, DVM, PhD, DACVP, DACVM (honorary)

Senior Professor, Anatomic Pathology Immunopathology, Intracellular bacteria
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Angela Arenas, DVM, PhD, DACVP

Associate Professor, Anatomic Pathology Vaccine development, Immunopathology
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Laura Bryan, DVM, PhD, DACVP

Clinical Associate Professor, Anatomic Pathology Bacterial pathogenesis, Endocrine pathology
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João Cavasin, DVM, DACVP

Clinical Assistant Professor, Joint Appointment, Small Animal Clinical Sciences Liver and gastrointestinal pathology
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Candice Chu, DVM, PhD, DACVP

Assistant Professor, Clinical Pathology Digital cytology, artificial intelligence, and urinary microRNA biomarker
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Fred Clubb, DVM, PhD, DACLAM

Clinical Professor, Anatomic Pathology Cardiovascular pathology, Ultrastructural pathology
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Dah-Jiun Fu, BVM, MVM, PhD, DACVP

TVMDL, Anatomic Pathology Diagnostic Pathology

Josué Díaz-Delgado, DVM, PhD, DACVP

TVMDL & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Anatomic Pathology Diagnostic pathology, Marine mammal pathology
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Erin Edwards, DVM, DACVP

TVMDL & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Anatomic Pathology Diagnostic pathology, Avian pathology
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John Edwards, DVM, PhD, DACVP

Professor Emeritus, Anatomic Pathology Reproductive system pathology
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Scot Estep, DVM, DACVP

Adjunct Associate Professor, Anatomic Pathology Feline gastrointestinal disease; Zoo/exotic animal pathology
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Paula Giaretta, DVM, PhD, DACVP

Clinical Assistant Professor – Joint Appointment, Small Animal Clinical Sciences Liver and gastrointestinal pathology
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Randi Gold, VMD, PhD, DACVP

TVMDL, Anatomic Pathology Musculoskeletal pathology

Gabriel Gomez, DVM, PhD, DACVP

TVMDL, Anatomic Pathology Diagnostic pathology, Infectious disease

Katia Groch, DVM, PhD, DACVP

TVMDL, Anatomic Pathology Wildlife/exotics pathology, Marine mammal pathology

Jessica Hokamp, DVM, PhD, DACVP

Clinical Associate Professor, Clinical Pathology Renal Pathology
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Emily Hoskins, DVM, MS

TVMDL, Anatomic Pathology Diagnostic pathology

Mark Johnson, DVM, DACVP

Clinical Professor, Clinical Pathology Diagnostic and investigative immunopathology
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Yava Jones-Hall, DVM, PhD, DACVP

Associate Professor, Anatomic Pathology Experimental pathology
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Katie Kleinhenz, DVM, MS

TVMDL, Anatomic Pathology Diagnostic pathology

Kendall Langsten, DVM, PhD, DACVP

Clinical Assistant Professor, Anatomic Pathology Diagnostic Pathology
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Mary Nabity, DVM, PhD, DACVP

Associate Professor, Clinical Pathology Residency Director Urine proteomics
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Sai Narayanan, BVSc & AH, MVSc, PhD

TVMDL, Anatomic Pathology Diagnostic pathology

Richard Ploeg, BVSc, DACVP

Adjunct Associate Professor, Anatomic Pathology Diagnostic pathology, Canine lymphoma
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Roy Pool, DVM, PhD, DACVP (honorary)

Professor Emeritus, Anatomic Pathology Orthopedic pathology
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Brian Porter, DVM, DACVP

Clinical Professor, Anatomic Pathology Residency Director Neuropathology
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Raquel Rech, DVM, PhD, DACVP

Clinical Associate Professor Neuropathology, Renal pathology
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Karen Russell, DVM, PhD, DACVP

Professor, Associate Department Head Platelet disorders
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Lauren Stranahan, DVM, PhD, DACVP

Clinical Assistant Professor, Anatomic Pathology Dermatopathology, Infectious disease
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Gregg Wells, MD, PhD

Associate Professor – Joint Appointment, Anatomic Pathology Neuropathology, Protein structure in neurologic disease
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Yvonne Wikander, DVM, MS, DACVP

Clinical Assistant Professor, Clinical Pathology Diagnostic pathology
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