A new face will soon be at the helm of the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL).

The College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) announced that Dr. Hemant Naikare will serve as the laboratory’s next director.

“After an extensive national search, Dr. Naikare emerged as the top candidate due to his strong leadership experience and vision for the role of veterinary diagnostics in a comprehensive approach to animal and human health,” CVM Dean Laura Molgaard says. 

Naikare has led the Tifton Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory at the University of Georgia since 2017 while also leading the lab’s bacteriology and mycology section. He also has more than 10 years of experience with the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory.

Naikare has completed advanced leadership training at both the University of Georgia and Texas A&M University. He earned a PhD in biomedical sciences at Oklahoma State and is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists.

In his role as VDL director, Naikare will be responsible for the strategic direction and overall operations of the laboratory, and enhancing its strength and vitality by developing new collaborations and establishing partnerships between faculty, industry, government, and other potential supporters.

“I am very excited about this opportunity to learn, serve, and contribute to the livestock, poultry, companion, and all other animal species commodity stakeholders of Minnesota and beyond. I look forward to working with the outstanding team of diagnosticians and researchers at the state-of-the-art veterinary diagnostic laboratory and one of the world’s best colleges of veterinary medicine," Naikare says. "I also look forward to contributing to veterinary laboratory workforce development efforts and to safeguarding our nation’s animal agriculture, human health, and the environment, offering integrated One Health solutions by enhancing and developing rapid, accurate, and affordable novel and improved diagnostics."

Naikare’s start date will be Feb. 12, 2024.