(Pathology is the science of the causes and effects of diseases, especially the branch of medicine that deals with the laboratory examination of samples of body tissue for diagnostic or forensic purposes.)

Geneviève D’Amours

Gen obtained her veterinary degree from University of Montreal in 2001 and then did a Master of veterinary Science in anatomic pathology at the University of Saskatchewan. She then pursued her PhD in Veterinary microbiology at the university of Calgary, studying tetracycline resistance of Histophilus somni in feedlot cattle. During her time in Calgary, Gen met a Kiwi on his OE. She came to NZ in 2009 to do her own OE but decided to settle in Hamilton and is now Mum of two young kiwi daughters. Gen has 10 years experience in diagnostic pathology in NZ, working first for Gribbles, then NZVP/Idexx before joining SVS labs in 2019. Her main interests include cytology/histopathology correlation, trace elements and microbiology as well as ophthalmic pathology. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, tramping and skiing at Mt Ruapehu.

Sandra Forsyth

Sandra began her veterinary career in mixed animal practice in the South Island before training in anaesthesia and critical patient care in the USA. Once credentials were achieved, she returned to NZ to teach at Massey until the toll of late nights and back ache from moving anaesthetised horses saw her re-train in clinical pathology, followed by positions at the university and NZVP. In late 2016, Sandra moved to SVS Laboratories in Hamilton where she is enjoying the warm air and absence of wind on the daily walk to work.

Adrienne French

Adrienne received her BVSc from Massey University then spent six years in small animal general practice in the UK. From there she pursued a residency in anatomic pathology at the University of Pennsylvania, followed by a stint as a lecturer in pathology and part time resident in clinical pathology which allowed her to achieve board certification in both anatomic and clinical pathology. On return to New Zealand, she spent the next 11 years working in diagnostic pathology at NZVP/Idexx based at Massey University in Palmerston North, before taking some a time out to be a full-time PhD student, researching the nematode parasite infections of kiwi. After submitting her thesis in early 2021, Adrienne has finally cut the umbilical cord with Palmerston North and joined the SVS team in Hamilton.

Lisa Schmidt

Lisa obtained her DVM from the University of Minnesota. She spent 2 years in small animal practise in British Columbia, Canada before deciding to go back to school and pursue residency training in anatomic pathology in North Carolina, USA. She joined SVS Labs in late 2017 after working for Manitoba Agriculture’s Veterinary Diagnostic Services (Canadian provincial government lab) that is recognized in Western Canada for its large porcine case load. In addition to pigs, she also has experience with poultry, owing to the large poultry farms near the diagnostic lab. In her spare she enjoys spending time with her senior pets, travelling, scuba diving, and glass art.