| CANUSA Student Chapter Committee |
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CANUSA Committee Members
To find out more about the CANUSA Student Chapter, visit their student chapter page or email canusa@wildlifedisease.org  President - Cambrey Knapp
I am a veterinarian and PhD candidate at Oregon State University studying foot-and-mouth disease virus transmission and spillover in African buffalo and cattle in Kruger National Park, South Africa. I am passionate about the interdisciplinary nature of wildlife management and appreciate all the people from various backgrounds that have shaped my career thus far. I served as the CANUSA President-Elect last year and am very excited to further the mission of CANUSA as President this year.  President Elect - Maris Daleo
I am a DVM/PhD student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I am in the third year of my PhD in the Wildlife Epidemiology Lab, where I study infectious diseases in terrestrial turtles. Specifically, my research focuses on the management and pathogen dynamics of confiscated eastern box turtles.  Treasurer - Joy Flowers
I earned a dual B.S. in Wildlife Conservation and Biological Sciences at Virginia Tech where I cultivated a passion for modeling wildlife diseases. Currently a third-year PhD candidate at Pennsylvania State University within the Dept. of Ecosystem Science and Management, I have worked on integrated species distribution modeling for North American salamanders and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans disease risk maps in partnership with the USGS Northeast Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative. I am also the founder and former President of the Canada and United States (CANUSA) chapter of the Wildlife Disease Association.  Secretary - Louise Bishop
I am a third year DVM/MS student at Oregon State University. I worked as a wildlife and ecology technician for six years in Alaska before starting vet school. My master’s research is on California and Steller sea lion health in the PNW and I would like to continue working with free-ranging wildlife when I finish school. I am excited to connect with more WDA members!  Workshop Planning Chair - Reagan Munday
I am Reagan Munday, and I am originally from Knoxville, TN. After completing a masters in conservation medicine at Tufts, I decided to return for veterinary school and am currently in my second year. My previous research has analyzed interactions between humans and marine mammals, and thus I am especially interested in zoonoses in the aquatic space and how this affects conservation efforts.  Communications Chair - Erica Suitor
I’m Erica Suitor, a PhD candidate at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. My research focuses on muskoxen in the Canadian Arctic, conducted in collaboration with Inuit communities. Growing up in rural Alberta, I developed a deep connection to wildlife, which fuels my commitment to becoming a wildlife biologist.  Social Media Chair - Mira Cheema
Hi everyone! My name is Mira, I’m originally from Ontario and I’m currently heading into the 2nd year of my DVM degree at St. Matthew’s University in Grand Cayman. In the future, I’d love to pursue a career in wildlife medicine or veterinary biomechanics. I’m super excited to be part of the WDA and am looking forward to working with everyone over this next year :)  Member at Large - Laura Budd
I am a PhD student at the University of Calgary, and I previously spent 5 years as a practicing veterinarian in the USA. I grew up in Vermont but have lived and conducted wildlife research around the world from Kenya to St. Louis, the Gulf of Maine, and now Alberta.  Member at Large - Chase Carey My name is Chase Carey and I am a second-year veterinary student at NC State University, where I received my B.S. in Wildlife Biology. I am interested in wildlife population health, emerging diseases, and One Health. I have been a member of the WDA for 2 years and I look forward to serving on the CANUSA board!
 Member at Large - Katarina Dedes I am a first year veterinary student at the North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine with a focus on Zoological/Wildlife Medicine. During my undergraduate education, I completed a variety of wildlife conservation and one health coursework, as well as participated in internships that allowed me to work alongside licensed wildlife professionals and zoological veterinarians and improve my clinical skills and knowledge. I am excited to serve as a Member-At-Large for the WDA CANUSA Student Chapter this year!
 Member at Large - Lisa Lee Hi everyone! I’m Lisa Lee (she/her), a veterinary pathologist and PhD student at the University of Saskatchewan. I am based in Vancouver, Canada with the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, where I research wild rat and mouse disease ecology. I’m excited to join the WDA CANUSA student chapter as a Member-At-Large!
 Member at Large - Natasha Odegard My name is Natasha Odegard. I’m a first-year veterinary student at North Carolina State University, focused on zoological medicine and wildlife conservation. I aim to practice in these fields and eventually establish a sanctuary for exotic and endangered species. I am honored to be a member of the WDA and look forward to making a meaningful contribution!
 Member at Large - Madeline Yde My name is Madeline Yde, and I am a first-year veterinary student at NC State University. Passionate about One Health and conservation, I hope to align my future career with those interests by working with wildlife and zoological animals. I am excited to be involved with the WDA!
 Alumni Representative - Dr Emma Vaasjo Dr. Emma Vaasjo has always had a passion for wildlife, research, and zoological medicine. After veterinary school she completed an internship at the Calgary Zoo, a Master’s in Veterinary Science at the University of Calgary, followed by a residency at the Saint Louis Zoo. She is now an associate veterinarian at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. Emma is deeply committed to bridging clinical medicine with conservation science and has contributed to diverse research topics, including lead exposure in bald eagles, the microbiome of endangered greater sage-grouse, and antiviral pharmacokinetics in Asian elephants.
 Alumni Representative - Dr Emily Whitmer Dr Emily Whitmer is a clinical veterinarian at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CaliforniaImage courtesy Marine Mammal Center website  Faculty Mentor - Dr Kaylee Byers Dr Kaylee Byers is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University, a Senior Scientist with the Pacific Institute on Pathogens, Pandemics and Society, and the Deputy Director of the British Columbia node of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative. She is an interdisciplinary scholar with over a decade of experience working in the field of One Health, which recognizes the interconnected health of people, animals, and the environment.
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