Dr. Li is currently an Associate Professor of Emergency and Critical Care at the North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is the principal investigator of the Comparative Platelet and Neutrophil Physiology Laboratory. After obtaining his DVM from the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, Dr. Li completed a rotating internship in Toronto, where he developed a keen interest in emergency and critical care medicine. He worked as an emergency clinician for one year before completing a residency and Master’s of Veterinary Medicine (MVetMed) in small animal emergency and critical care at the Royal Veterinary College (UK) in 2014. Dr. Li became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (DACVECC) in 2014 before pursuing a PhD in Integrative Pathobiology at the University of California, Davis, where he studied platelet and neutrophil biology. His research interests include procoagulant platelets in health and diseases, novel hemostatic therapies, antithrombotic treatments, immunothrombosis and precision medicine. He is committed to training clinician scientists and bridging the gap between basic science and clinical research to benefit clinical patients. His clinical interest include diagnosis and treatment congenital platelet disorders, respiratory failure and sepsis.

Dr. Li is the Co-Director of Veterinary Scholars Program and Principle Investigator of the NIH Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Training Program, overseeing DVM students who participate in an immersive 10-week research training program.

In his spare time, he likes to take his 2 Golden Retrievers on his boat, The Lusitropy.

Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Resident

Amanda received her Bachelor’s and Master’s from the University of Florida. She obtained her DVM from Ohio State University. She then went on to complete a rotating internship in Colorado prior to starting her small animal emergency and  critical care residency at NC State. She is a current resident with a research focus in bleeding diathesis secondary to thrombocytopenia and modeling canine immune mediated thrombocytopenia.

PhD Student

Dr. Devansh Fulmali is a veterinarian and graduate researcher originally from India. After obtaining his Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry from Junagadh Veterinary College, Devansh completed a Master of Veterinary Science in Veterinary Microbiology at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, where he was awarded a Junior Research Fellowship. He then pursued advanced training in immunology through a Master of Science in Immunology and Immunotherapy at the University of Birmingham, UK, supported by a Commonwealth Scholarship. At the Li Lab, he aims to contribute to translational cardiovascular and genetic research while developing his skills as a clinician–scientist. Devansh is committed to connecting veterinary medicine with cutting-edge biomedical research and aspires to build a career advancing both scientific discovery and clinical outcomes

DVM Student

Reagan is currently a veterinary student at NC State planning to focus in small animal medicine. She studied Evolutionary Anthropology and Biology at Duke University for my undergraduate degree, and she has one dog named Rollo! Reagan is currently conducting research on the effects of hemolytic anemia and procoagulant platelet formation in dogs.

Lara’s history with NC State University began in 1997 when she arrived to pursue her PhD in Chemical Engineering, focusing her doctoral research on characterizing proteases in hyperthermophilic archaea with Bob Kelly. Following a postdoctoral fellowship at Duke University, she took an intentional career hiatus to raise her two sons. Upon re-entering the workforce, Lara built a diverse professional portfolio. Her expertise spans roles as a formulation chemist for natural cleaning and personal care products, a QC Stability Team Lead at CSL Seqirus’s influenza vaccine biomanufacturing facility, and a lab manager and researcher within the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM). During her previous tenure at the CVM, she collaborated with Breanna Sheahan and Jose Len on impactful research in equine intestinal diseases and theriogenology. Driven by a passion for discovery and a deep fondness for the Wolfpack community and CVM, Lara returned to the department as Lab Manager with Dr. Li investigating the cellular basis and pathobiological roles of immunothrombosis. The NC State legacy truly runs in the family, as her oldest son entered as an undergraduate in the Chemical Engineering Department in 2025! Outside of the lab, Lara enjoys spending time with her family and embracing the outdoors through traveling, hiking, boating, skiing, and wildlife watching.

Dual DVM/PhD Student

Victor is a combined DVM/PhD student born in Diriamba, Nicaragua. He completed an Animal Biology Bachelors and a Genetics Masters degree at University of California-Davis in 2019 and 2021, respectively. Victor recently completed his PhD in the Stern Translational Cardiac Genetics and Pharmacogenomics Laboratory in June of 2024. As a current veterinary student, he continues to conduct research in the laboratory. His research interests include the juxtaposition of genetic and clinical cardiology, along with genetic discovery work for common acquired and rare congenital cardiovascular disorders. Victor aspires to become an academic clinician-scientist in veterinary cardiology.

Undergraduate Student

Mackenzie Hamilton is a student at North Carolina State University studying zoology with aspirations of becoming a veterinarian. Passionate about animal health and scientific discovery, Mackenzie is driven by a desire to improve the lives of animals through medicine and research. With a strong curiosity for understanding the root causes of illness, she is committed to finding answers, solving problems, and helping animals heal.

Combined DVM/PhD Student

Esha is a combined degree DVM/PhD student at the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine. Originally from Cary, NC, she earned a degree in biochemistry at the University of Pennsylvania before joining a microbiology diagnostic laboratory. Since then, Esha has moved back to the Triangle to apply her laboratory background to better animal health. Her research interest is the role of innate immunity in myocardial remodeling and the progression of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats. Outside of the lab, Esha enjoys reading, watching Survivor, and listening to podcasts. 

Combined DVM/PhD Student

Connor is a combined degree DVM/PhD student at the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine. He completed bachelor degrees in Biochemistry and Animal Science at NCSU in 2023 and began veterinary school in 2024. He aims to be a clinician-scientist with a focus in small animal medicine. Outside of school, he spends time with his 6 year old golden retriever, Carter Finley.

DVM Student

Jaylen is a veterinary student at NC state with a strong interest in mixed animal medicine. Whether fur, scales, wings, or hooves, he’s eager to work with them all. Originally from Maryland, he earned his Biology degree from Stevenson University, where he also played sports. Jaylen is investigating the cardiovascular, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics effects of a novel antiplatelet drug in healthy cats.

Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Resident