Meera Heller DVM PhD DACVIM-LA

I am a Professor of Clinical Livestock Medicine and Surgery at UC Davis. I received my DVM degree from UC Davis, and completed an internship in large animal medicine and surgery at the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island in Canada. After my internship, I returned to UC Davis for my residency in large animal internal medicine, followed by a PhD in Comparative Pathology under the mentorship of Dr Joie Watson. My first faculty job was at the University of Missouri in their Food Animal Medicine Service. I then returned to UC Davis in 2014 to start my current position. My clinical interests are in medicine and surgery of ruminants and pigs, with a special focus on small ruminants. I also have an interest in acupuncture. My research has ranged from basic research into the innate immune response, to more clinical research such as pharmacokinetic/ pharmacodynamic studies, diagnostic testing, transfusion medicine, and infectious/tick borne diseases in small ruminants.
We have a small herd of goats of various breeds, including some retired blood donors and my daughter’s Nubians who she shows. When I am not working, I enjoy hiking, running, knitting, and trying to make goat cheese that my family will eat!