LSU School of Veterinary Medicine names its first associate dean for diagnostic operations

The Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine (LSU Vet Med) has named Udeni Balasuriya, BVSc, PhD, its inaugural associate dean for diagnostic operations. Balasuriya is also serving as the director of the Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (LADDL), a full-service laboratory housed in LSU Vet Med that is accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Diagnosticians.

LADDL operates in partnership with LSU Vet Med and provides animal disease diagnostic services to agricultural and general communities, enhances research development and adaptation of diagnostic tests and protocols, researches and investigates livestock and companion animal diseases impacting the health and wellbeing of the animals and citizens of Louisiana, and researches selective diseases impacting the economics on the animal industries of Louisiana.

The associate dean for diagnostic operations will be a key member of the LSU Vet Med senior leadership team and report directly to Oliver A. Garden, BVetMed, PhD, DACVIM, DECVIM-CA, dean of LSU Vet Med, according to an organizational release. Balasuriya will serve as LSU Vet Med's diagnostic principal and help to promote the school's mission of "we protect."

“I look forward to working collaboratively across the school and university to advance the school's diagnostic and translational research mission and create the necessary infrastructure to support a growing diagnostic enterprise,” said Balasuriya, in the release.

Balasuriya is a leader in laboratory diagnostics and disease diagnosis and surveillance using classical and contemporary laboratory techniques. In addition to collaborating across the school and university, the new position requires shaping and implementing a dynamic strategic plan to advance the school's diagnostic and translational research status, developing new and nurturing existing external partnerships, and creating the necessary infrastructure to support a growing diagnostic enterprise. A keen understanding of a variety of funding mechanisms, advocacy, and compliance is essential.

“Combining substantive experience in leading a world-class diagnostic laboratory with his talent and drive as a research virologist, Dr Balasuriya is the ideal candidate for this new position in our school. The associate deanship will extend his current role into one with strategic and fiscal oversight of our whole diagnostic enterprise, and the development of novel diagnostic tests by innovative research. I could not be more enthusiastic about the future of the diagnostic operations, in the delivery of both animal and human healthcare, and offer Dr. Balasuriya my heartfelt congratulations on this well-deserved success,” said Garden, in the release.

Reference

LSU Vet Med announces inaugural associate dean for diagnostic operations. New release. Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. April 5, 2023.