Dr Gabor to head up DPI’s State Diagnostic Veterinary Laboratory

A newly appointed leader has taken up her position in charge of the State Diagnostic Veterinary Laboratory at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI).

Dr Melinda Gabor, the new Principal Veterinary Pathologist, has extensive experience in both the private and government sectors, is well known to senior government and industry leaders in Australia and has extensive contacts in the biosecurity community.

She has been a senior veterinary pathologist at the Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) State Diagnostic Veterinary Laboratory (SDVL) since 2008.

DPI executive director Biosecurity NSW Bruce Christie has high regard for Dr Gabor and has congratulated her decision to step into this critical leadership position.

"Dr Gabor is experienced in biosecurity emergency management and well versed in the importance of rapid diagnosis to inform policy and operations during an emergency," Mr Christie said.

"She has wide experience of production animal diseases including aquatic organisms and a strong research publications record in addition to her diagnostic pathology experience.

"Dr Gabor previously worked as a private veterinarian after graduating with a PhD from the University of Sydney.

"She is a recognised leader at EMAI and will oversee the diagnostic laboratory’s research and diagnostic services using the newly refurbished quarantine containment level 2 (QC2) and QC3 laboratories, which are part of the recently opened $57 million EMAI biosecurity upgrade," he said.

The SDVL processes more than 15,000 diagnostic samples submitted by farmers per month in rapid turnaround to inform them of the health status of their livestock.

Just prior to her appointment, Dr Gabor achieved the distinction of passing four examinations on her first attempt, to gain entry to the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP), an organisation of certified scientists that has been setting the standard for veterinary pathology since 1949.

It is the culmination of four years of intensive training and preparation in veterinary anatomic pathology.

Dr Gabor’s successful completion of the four certifying examinations, not always passed by candidates on the first attempt, is recognised by the American Board of Veterinary Specialities of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Australian Veterinary Boards Council for registration as a veterinary specialist in veterinary anatomical pathology.

Importantly, EMAI will also now be recognised as an ACVP-approved training centre and Dr Gabor expects substantial benefits for the quality of pathology within EMAI.

"The Institute has a strong goal of establishing a training program which will enable pathologists to achieve this globally recognised standard," she said.

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