Bibiana Petri da Silveira, DVM, MS, Ph.D. has been promoted to the bacteriology section head of at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, in College Station. Since joining the laboratory, she has played a key role in strengthening diagnostic capabilities and advancing research that directly supports veterinarians, producers, and disease surveillance.
“I have always loved working in the lab,” da Silveira said. “I like the process and seeing the result of your work.”
In her new role, da Silveira will continue strengthening ongoing work by leading efforts that ensure TVMDL remains responsive to emerging animal health needs.
Agricultural roots in Brazil
Da Silveira’s story begins in southern Brazil, where agriculture shapes daily routines. Her father ran a ranch producing beef cattle, and da Silveira assisted with its upkeep. But even as a child, she wasn’t just watching from the sidelines — she was right alongside her father, vaccinating, deworming, and herding the thousand-pound animals on horseback.
“My dad counted on me,” she laughed, remembering how he would send her to block a gate while he worked cattle from another direction.
Those early days built confidence and resilience but also a passion for promoting animal health.
Path through veterinary education
When it came time to apply for college, da Silveira’s lifelong closeness to animals and agriculture helped shape the decision to pursue veterinary medicine.
“I always wanted to work with animals,” she said, “to be able to help animals.”
After earning her veterinary degree and graduate training in Brazil, da Silveira came to Texas A&M University for her Ph.D., drawn by the strength of the research community studying Rhodococcus equi — a major cause of pneumonia in foals.
Her doctoral work involved the study of immune responses and prevention. She conducted research exploring how early-life immune stimulation could help foals become more resistant to disease. But even during her Ph.D., she realized that a laboratory was where she truly belonged.
“I wanted to go back to diagnostics, so I was happy to get the position at TVMDL.”
Arriving at TVMDL
Since joining TVMDL as a scientist in the research and development section in 2024, Bibiana has helped strengthen the laboratory’s diagnostic capabilities, supporting assay development and applied testing that improves what TVMDL can detect and report.
What motivates her most is seeing her hard work become answers for the people who depend on results.
“I like to see the impact of my work in diagnostics,” da Silveira said. “I get to help veterinarians help their patients.”
In her new position as bacteriology section head, that impact becomes even more immediate.
“TVMDL, to me, is almost like an orchestra,” she said. “At every step of the diagnostic process, every employee and every part plays an important role. Each role comes together to create a diagnostic report full of answers, like a complete musical experience.”
Leadership, purpose, and growth
As she begins her role as bacteriology section head, da Silveira carries forward a lifelong connection to animals, a strong diagnostic mindset, and leadership that comes from experience on both sides of the lab bench.
For TVMDL clients, her promotion means even more strength in bacteriology service. They can continue to count on accurate answers, thoughtful interpretation, and a team that never loses sight of the importance of animal health.
