DNA Deep Dive: Incorporating Genetics into Veterinary Cardiology to Enhance Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment

Course Leader
Joshua A. Stern, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Cardiology)
Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, North Carolina State University 

Dr. Stern serves as the Associate Dean 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 NC State. Dr. Stern obtained his DVM from Ohio State University, completed his cardiology residency training at NC State, 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. Dr. Stern serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine and is the current President for the Subspecialty of Cardiology in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. He was honored with the 2024 AVMF Career Achievement Award in Feline Medicine. Dr. Stern is an avid supporter of clinician scientists and is passionate about training the next generation of veterinary academic leaders. Together, with his laboratory teams, Dr. Stern has published over 140 peer-reviewed research manuscripts contributing to the advancement of companion animal genetics and translational cardiology.

Luis Dos Santos, DVM, M.Sc., PhD, DACVIM (Cardiology)
Assistant Professor of Cardiology, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine 

Dr. Dos Santos is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Cardiology). His research focuses on arrhythmias and inherited conditions such as arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy in Boxers. Dr. Dos Santos is particularly interested in the translational aspects of this disease, bridging veterinary and human medicine to enhance understanding and treatment. He is committed to advancing cardiovascular health through innovative research, teaching, and mentorship.

Ryan Fries, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology), DECVIM-CA (Cardiology)
Associate Professor, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Dr. Fries is an Associate Professor of Cardiology at the University of Illinois.  He received his DVM from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship at The Ohio State University. He completed his cardiology residency at Texas A&M University and became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Cardiology) in 2012. Dr. Fries' research interests are focused on advanced cardiac imaging, interventional procedures, feline cardiac disease, cardiac biomarkers, and clinical trials.

Melanie Hezzell MA, VetMB, PhD, CertVDI, CertVC, FHEA, FRCVS, DACVIM (Cardiology)
Professor of Veterinary Cardiology, University of Bristol, UK

Dr. Hezzell is a University of Cambridge graduate. While working in primary care practice, she gained the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Certificates in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging and Veterinary Cardiology. Following a rotating small animal internship at the Royal Veterinary College, she undertook a PhD on the epidemiology of canine myxomatous mitral valve disease at the same institution. After completing a cardiology residency at the University of Pennsylvania, she joined the University of Bristol, where she is currently Professor of Veterinary Cardiology.

Steven Rosenthal DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology)
Co-Chief Medical Officer, CVCA Cardiac Care for Pets

Dr. Rosenthal received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. He completed a cardiology residency at the Animal Medical Center in New York, after which he was a staff cardiologist and then became one of the founding partners of CVCA Cardiac Care for Pets. Dr Rosenthal recently served as the President of the Cardiology Specialty of the ACVIM, and in the past as chairman of the cardiology examination, forum, and residency training committees.