Speaker: Joshua Stern, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Cardiology)

Dr. Joshua Stern serves as the Associate Dean and Director for Research and Graduate Studies at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He is also a Professor of Cardiology in the Department of Clinical Sciences at NCSU. Dr. Stern obtained his DVM from Ohio State University, completed his cardiology residency training at NCSU and obtained a PhD focusing on translational cardiac genetics at Washington State University. He is the principal investigator for the Stern Translational Cardiac Genetics and Pharmacogenomics Laboratory which focuses on training clinician scientists and developing novel therapies for inherited heart disease.

Speaker: Sheila Carrera-Justiz, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)

Dr. Sheila Carrera-Justiz is a Clinical Associate Professor and Neurology Service Chief at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.

She completed her DVM at the University of Florida, followed by a rotating small animal internship at the University of Missouri, a neurology specialty internship at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego, and a neurology residency at Tufts University, where she attained board certification in 2010.

She subsequently completed the ACVIM neurosurgery certificate of training. Her professional interests include novel neurosurgical approaches, advanced imaging techniques, novel treatment of glioma, and clinical teaching.

Dr Carrera-Justiz was the 2024 recipient of the Hill's Jack Mara ACVECC Scientific Achievement Award.

Speaker: Chris Byers, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM (SAIM)

In this session, we were delighted to welcome Dr. Christopher Byers, who will led a discussion on diabetes management in small animals. With significant recent advances, particularly in feline patients, this session will review current approaches, explore areas of controversy, and highlight practical insights from clinical practice.