Roy named director of LSU Diagnostics

The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine has appointed Alma Roy, Ph.D., as director of LSU Diagnostics (Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory), a full-service, accredited laboratory that provides critical animal disease diagnostic services for Louisiana and surrounding states.

Dr. Roy, a long-serving faculty member and researcher at LSU, brings more than five decades of experience in veterinary medicine, research, and diagnostics to her new role. As director, she will oversee all aspects of LSU Diagnostics, including laboratory operations, customer service, and marketing, ensuring continued excellence in service and innovation for the state’s animal industries and veterinary community.

Dr. Roy earned her bachelor’s degree in medical technology from LSU in 1968, her master’s degree in health care administration from the College of St. Francis in 1990, and her Ph.D. in Veterinary Medical Sciences from LSU Vet Med in 2000. Dr Roy holds a current certification from the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS).

Dr. Roy served in the role of executive associate director of the diagnostic laboratory from 2005-2017. From 2018-2024, Dr. Roy was a consultant for the laboratory, which entailed her becoming the CLIA Laboratory Director and earning a Certificate of Compliance for the laboratory for testing human specimens during the COVID outbreak. In November 2024, Dr. Roy was named interim director of LSU Diagnostics.

 Her extensive research background includes studies on West Nile virus ecology and control, avian-mosquito transmission, equine and human disease, and vaccine development.

“LSU Diagnostics is essential to protecting the health of Louisiana’s animals, its agricultural economy, and the people who depend on both,” said Oliver A. Garden, BVetMed, Ph.D., FHEA, FCPP, FRCVS, DACVIM, DECVIM-CA, Kenneth Burns Endowed Chair in Veterinary Medicine and LSU Vet Med dean. “It is the jewel in the crown of LSU Vet Med. Dr. Roy's deep experience, broad expertise, insightful vision, and ability to build strong coalitions will position LSU Diagnostics for continued growth and success well into the future. I am personally thrilled that she has accepted this key leadership position at LSU Vet Med and look forward to working with her as we continue our quest for excellence.”

Added Dr. Roy, “I plan to uphold and facilitate the LSU Diagnostics mission and vision, including promoting client services, new services and financial stability. As a Laboratory, we must manage the diagnostic enterprise with a focus on exceeding client expectations, including the state agricultural entities, strengthen areas of distinction and develop assays for leading-edge diagnostic services.”

About LSU Diagnostics

LSU Diagnostics (Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab) is a full-service American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians-accredited facility housed within the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. The laboratory provides animal disease diagnostic services to veterinarians, livestock and poultry producers, and animal owners across Louisiana and neighboring states. LSU Diagnostics supports teaching and research programs at LSU Vet Med and plays a vital role in detecting, controlling, and preventing animal diseases that affect public health and the economy. 

About LSU Vet Med: Bettering lives through education, public service, and discovery

The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is one of only 33 veterinary schools in the U.S. and the only one in Louisiana. LSU Vet Med is dedicated to improving and protecting the lives of animals and people through superior education, transformational research, and compassionate care. We teach. We heal. We discover. We protect.