Our People

Dr. Laura Machado Ribas obtained her Veterinary Medicine degree from Ritter dos Reis University Center in Porto Alegre, Brazil, in 2020. Eager to expand her knowledge, she embarked on a journey of higher education by joining the graduate program at Purdue University.

Laura's current research centers on identifying biomarkers for diagnosing specific conditions in dogs: cardiac hemangiosarcoma and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Her work in these areas holds the potential for significantly advancing the early detection and treatment of these cardiac diseases in canines.

In addition to her research, Laura's interests span molecular biology, cancer biology, and clinical pathology. Her diverse expertise and background position her as a valuable contributor in the realm of biomarker discovery and the study of cardiac diseases in animals.

Charlotte is a veterinary student who has a special interest in both research and cardiology. During her undergraduate studies at Purdue, she conducted research under Dr. Dennis Minchella in disease ecology. In veterinary school, she has been working with Dr. Luis Dos Santos to better understand how extrinsic nerve activity affects cardiac disease. Charlotte's professional focuses include specialty medicine, human-animal bond, and exotic animal medicine.

Jasmine is a veterinary student interested in cardiovascular physiology and research. She graduated from Purdue University in 2024 with a bachelor of science degree with a focus in animal sciences. She has been working with Dr. Dos Santos since 2022 and is continuing to work with him throughout her graduate studies. Her research focus has been on understanding miRNA expression in Boxer dogs with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy. Jasmine is aspiring to work with small animals, with a focus on cardiology and critical care.