Dr. Adriana Garzon is a new faculty member in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, joining our Agricultural Animal Service team. After earning her DVM from Universidad Nacional de Colombia, she practiced as a field veterinarian before returning to academia at the University of California, Davis, where she completed a PhD in animal biology, a master’s in preventive veterinary medicine, and a residency in livestock reproduction and herd health. She is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine (ACVPM). Her research and clinical interests include antimicrobial stewardship and food animal production medicine. Outside of the clinic, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her dog.
What drew you to WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine?
I was drawn to WSU by the college’s commitment to bringing together strong food-animal and public health programs, with a real focus on One Health. As a livestock veterinarian, that’s something I truly believe in and practice daily. What ultimately sold me was the collaborative research environment and the college’s emphasis on teaching excellence.
What is your area of expertise?
My expertise is in preventive medicine and herd health. My PhD training was in epidemiology, and my residency was in livestock herd health and reproduction. I’m a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. My work covers production medicine, antimicrobial stewardship, and antimicrobial resistance.
What drew you into this area?
I’ve been extremely fortunate to have many mentors who shaped my career and have always been generous with their time and advice. Somehow, they still answer my calls!
I was drawn to population medicine early in vet school. I knew from the start that I wanted to work in bovine medicine, but my mentor back in my home country, Dr. Olimpo Oliver, introduced me to production medicine, epidemiology, and herd health, which completely changed my professional interests.
I was also lucky to have a supportive and knowledgeable advisor during my PhD and residency, Dr. Richard Pereira. He helped me become the researcher I wanted to be and encouraged me to seek advice from as many faculty members and veterinarians as possible. That advice shaped my time at UC Davis and led me to mentors I’m grateful to have learned from.
What about your research work are you most excited for?
I’m excited to get to know Washington producers and veterinarians and work alongside them to improve animal health. I’m proud of the collaborations my research has fostered and the researchers and academics I’ve had the privilege to work with and learn from. I look forward to nurturing those relationships and building new ones.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
During my residency, a fourth-year veterinary student introduced me to embroidery, and I became completely obsessed with it. I never travel without a small project, and many of my work coveralls have flowers stitched on them.