Dr. Joshua Stern

Dr. Joshua 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.

Dr. Victor Rivas

Victor is a combined DVM/PhD student born in Diriamba, Nicaragua. He completed an Animal Biology Bachelors and a Genetics Masters degree at University of California-Davis in 2019 and 2021, respectively. Victor recently completed his PhD in the Stern Translational Cardiac Genetics and Pharmacogenomics Laboratory in June of 2024. As a current veterinary student, he continues to conduct research in the laboratory. His research interests include the juxtaposition of genetic and clinical cardiology, along with genetic discovery work for common acquired and rare congenital cardiovascular disorders. Victor aspires to become an academic clinician-scientist in veterinary cardiology.

Dr. Sandra Losa

Sandra is the Research Operations Manager in the SternLab and joined in 2023. Sandra holds a PhD in Neuroscience from NC State University. Before joining the SternLab her research focus was on the biological and genetic basis of behavior and development. She also holds an MBA and is well versed in science as well as business. She uses these skills to advance the research at the SternLab, organize all the various project the lab is working on and she runs the Genetic Testing Service. She also serves as a contact point for all things revolving around the Lab. Sandra is originally from Germany and lives on a little homestead with dogs, cats and chickens, along with her husband and three children.

Dr. Michael Vandewege

Michael is a bioinformatician and analyst for the Stern lab. He’s been associated with NCSU’s CVM since 2022. His role for the Stern lab is to aid in the discovery of genetic variants that are causally linked to disease phenotypes in companion animals, build tools that facilitate data exploration, and manage the lab’s genomic data.  Michael graduated from Mississippi State University in 2016 with a Ph.D. in molecular biology and conducted two post-docs between Texas Tech University and Temple University. His diverse background in genomics, computer science, and evolutionary biology allows him to answer many different types of questions in biology. 

Meghan Leber

Meghan completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Richmond in 2020, followed by a fellowship focused on population ecology and vector-borne disease research. She joined the College of Veterinary Medicine in 2022 as a Research Technician. She started as a Veterinary Medicine Student in the Class of 2027 and has continued on in her role with the SternLab and works in the Genetic Testing Service. Following graduation, she hopes to pursue a research-oriented career, with a particular interest in public health and conservation.  

Hollie Krivan

Hollie has been part of the Wolfpack for over fifteen years. Starting in Intermediate Care, she cared for hospitalized small animals with a wide variety of diseases and injuries. During this time, she was exposed to every service in the hospital, though she quickly learned that cardiology held her greatest interests. She joined the cardiology department as a Cardiology Clinical Technician in 2012.  In 2019, she transitioned into her current role in the Cardiac Genetics Laboratory. She is very grateful for the opportunity to work with and learn from leaders in veterinary cardiology, allowing for her growth and education each day. Outside of work, Hollie and her husband have two young sons. They also share their home with two cats and a clownfish. In her free time she enjoys running, yoga, floral design, baking, reading and Canes Hockey.

Anna Grimes

Anna graduated from UC Davis with a BS in Animal Science in 2008, received her RVT license in 2009, and her VTS (Cardiology) certification in 2018. She joined the Stern Lab in 2023 with her primary role as a part of the Holter monitor team. Anna’s career interests include electrocardiography, primary myocardial disease processes, and patient care. She loves to share her knowledge via continuing education for veterinary technicians. She has experience with live and on-demand lectures as well as interactive teaching platforms. Anna is also extremely grateful to be a contributor to textbook chapters for multiple veterinary publications. Anna currently works from home performing Holter monitor analysis and taking care of her young family.

Dr. Kentaro Kurogochi

Kentaro is a visiting Research Fellow from Azabu University, Japan. Kentaro holds a dual DVM/PhD degree from Japan and has been actively engaged in cardiovascular research involving electrocardiograms, cardiac surgery, and the assessment of pharmacogenetic effects. He hopes to complete his residency in Cardiology here in America and continue in his training in cardiac surgery, while also focusing on research into better diagnostics and treatments of heart disease in companion animals.