Alumni Spotlight: Tanya LeRoith (DVM '99)

Tanya LeRoith, (DVM '99) PhD, MS, DACT

Clinical Professor, Anatomic Pathology

For this month's alum profile, a "double dose" as Tanya LeRoith is both an alumna (DVM '99) and a clinical professor of anatomic pathology in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology at the college.

Tanya's research interests include animal infectious disease models, viral immunology, and comparative pathology. She joined the college in 2005 after completing her residency at Washington State University. She is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists—Anatomic Pathology.

How VA-MD equipped me for the 'real world'...

The college gave me the opportunity to explore a wide range of careers outside of clinical practice while still giving me a strong base in clinical medicine that I relied on heavily during my residency.

The best part of being a VMCVM alum...

Seeing firsthand the growth and transformation of the college and being able to empathize with the student experience.

The best advice I've gotten...

Keep yourself open to unexpected opportunities.

How would you capture the essence of your work?

I investigate the cause of death and disease.

My hidden talent...

Staying positive and focused on the goals, even when things seem daunting.

A person who has inspired me...

Bob Duncan

What did you learn at the college that you never thought you would benefit from?

I loved learning about swine and poultry viruses but was convinced I would never work on them because of the smell.

The biggest misconception about my job or industry...

Laboratory diagnostics are not exciting or even interesting.

Words of encouragement to a current veterinary college student...

Keep pushing through but enjoy the time at VMCVM. Your friends will become friends for life, and you'll miss the time you spend with them.

Fondest college memory or tradition...

Playing frisbee on the grass in front of the Dean's office between classes. (what is now VMIA)

What excites you the most about the future of your industry?

Development of new diagnostic tools that will let us discover new pathogens faster than before.

The most formative experience I've had...

Spending a year between high school and college working at a barn in South Africa. It made me realize I wanted to be a veterinarian, not a physician.

Top of my bucket list...

Skiing in the Alps

My favorite quote...

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change the way you think about it." — Mary Engelbreit.

How many pets/animals live at home?

Three dogs, two cats