COLLEGE STATION – The American College of Veterinary Microbiologists has elected two professionals from the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory to its board of governors.

Dr. Hemant Naikare and Dr. Amy K. Swinford were among three new board members chosen from 10 candidates. They will assume office in August.

The college is the specialty organization recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association for certification of veterinarians in microbiology. To become certified as a college diplomate, an individual must be a veterinarian in good standing with graduate degrees and/or additional years of experience working in veterinary microbiology. In addition, candidates must pass a general examination and at least one sub-specialty examination in bacteriology/mycology, virology, immunology or parasitology.

Naikare is section head of bacteriology and molecular diagnostics at the laboratory’s Amarillo location. He earned a doctorate in veterinary biomedical sciences from Oklahoma State University and holds a bachelor’s degree in veterinary sciences and animal husbandry and a master’s degree in veterinary sciences-microbiology from the Bombay Veterinary College in India.

He joined the Amarillo laboratory in 2007 following a post-doctoral fellowship at Oklahoma State’s Biosensor and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory. He became a diplomate  in 2009.

Swinford is branch chief for the bacteriology, serology and virology sections at the diagnostic laboratory’s College Station location. A University of Illinois graduate, Swinford earned two bachelor’s degrees, a master’s degree in veterinary pathobiology and a doctorate in veterinary medicine – all from Illinois.

She joined the College Station laboratory in 2005 following posts with MVP Laboratories Inc., Schering-Plough Animal Health and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Veterinary Diagnostic Center. She became a diplomate in 1997.
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