Paws and profits: UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine dean reappointed, and more updates

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) School of Veterinary Medicine has announced several faculty and leadership changes, including the reappointment of its dean to a second five-year term following a comprehensive performance review. The school also named a new director for its orthopedics research laboratory and welcomed a theriogenologist to its faculty. Here’s a look at these individuals taking on new roles.

Mark Stetter, DVM, DACZM, dean, UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine

Mark Stetter, DVM, DACZM, has been reappointed to a second five-year term as dean of the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine following a comprehensive performance review. The review committee unanimously recommended his reappointment, citing his work modernizing the school's admissions process, curriculum, and approach to competency-based education, as well as his efforts to recruit 50 new faculty in strategic areas over his first five years.¹

Under Stetter's leadership, the school launched the Limitless campaign in 2025, a comprehensive facility expansion plan, and raised more than $261 million that year, surpassing its previous fundraising record of $118 million, set in 2024.

"It has been a huge privilege to lead the Weill School of Veterinary Medicine, and I am deeply honored to continue serving as dean," Stetter said in a university announcement.¹ "Our remarkable faculty, staff, students, house officers, alumni, and supporters have created tremendous momentum over the past five years. I look forward to building on that progress as we advance veterinary medicine, improve the lives of animals and people, and prepare the next generation of leaders in our profession."

Heidi Reesink, VMD, PhD, DACVS-LA, director, J.D. Wheat Veterinary Orthopedics Research Laboratory, UC Davis

Heidi Reesink, VMD, PhD, DACVS-LA, has been appointed director of the J.D. Wheat Veterinary Orthopedics Research Laboratory (VORL) at UC Davis, which provides an environment for multidisciplinary studies on musculoskeletal disorders in animals. In the role, she will provide strategic leadership for the laboratory's basic sciences and clinical research efforts, maintain relationships with industry, nonprofit, academic, regulatory, and funding partners, and support philanthropic and stakeholder engagement.

Reesink joined the Weill School of Veterinary Medicine as professor of veterinary orthopedics in the Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences in March 2025. She succeeds Denis Marcellin-Little, DEDV, DECVS, DACVS, DACVSMR, and Damian Genetos, PhD, who served as co-directors of VORL for the previous three years.²

Eduardo de Souza Ribeiro, BVM, MS, PhD, associate professor of theriogenology, UC Davis

Eduardo de Souza Ribeiro, BVM, MS, PhD, has joined the UC Davis Department of Population Health and Reproduction as associate professor of theriogenology. Ribeiro received his BVM in 2008 from Santa Catarina State University in Brazil, his MS in animal science in 2011, and his PhD in animal molecular and cellular biology in 2015, both from the University of Florida.³

Ribeiro comes to UC Davis from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, where he joined as assistant professor of mammalian reproductive health and physiology in 2016 and was promoted to associate professor in 2020. His research focuses on reproduction and health in production livestock.³

References

1. Stetter Reappointed as Dean of the Weill School of Veterinary Medicine. News release. UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. September 8, 2026. Accessed September 14, 2026. https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/stetter-reappointed-dean-weill-school-veterinary-medicine
2. Dr. Heidi Reesink Appointed Director of the Veterinary Orthopedics Research Laboratory. News release. UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. September 9, 2026. Accessed September 14, 2026. https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/dr-heidi-reesink-appointed-director-veterinary-orthopedics-research-laboratory
3. Dr. Eduardo de Souza Ribeiro Appointed as Associate Professor of Theriogenology. News release. UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. September 9, 2026. Accessed September 14, 2026. https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/dr-eduardo-de-souza-ribeiro-appointed-associate-professor-theriogenology