Susan graduated from Massey University, New Zealand with a Bachelor in Veterinary Science in 2003. She continued on to postgraduate study in veterinary pathology for which she was awarded a PhD in 2008 for characterising a new chondrodysplasia in Texel sheep.

Susan moved to the USA to complete a three-year residency at the Oregon State University in the anatomic pathology department. Susan was awarded the status of Diplomate of American College of Veterinary Pathologists in 2011 after successfully passing the anatomic pathology board examinations.

She has worked as Head of Pathology for the University of Sydney’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s pathology unit in Camden. She was one of their senior veterinary lecturers in veterinary pathology. In 2013, Susan helped facilitate the inaugural K9 Tactical Casualty Care Course at Camden hospital. The course focused on helping dog handlers and defence force officers learn life-saving emergency veterinary skills.

In 2014, Susan joined the IDEXX team in Melbourne, primarily in a clinical pathologist role but soon incorporating an anatomic pathology caseload. In 2017, she transferred back home to New Zealand, and has since then been based at the IDEXX Palmerston North lab, operating out of the Massey University School of Veterinary Science. In 2021, Susan sat and passed the American College of Veterinary Pathologists clinical pathology board examinations, becoming one of the rare few awarded dual certification.

Susan is experienced in all aspects of veterinary pathology. She is passionate about providing excellent diagnostic service and enjoys working closely with other veterinary professionals in diagnosing and managing cases. Susan has a keen interest in pathology for companion and production animals, camelid pathology, and in particular bone/joint, skin and eye disease.

During her career, she has co-authored and published papers in the Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, Frontiers in Veterinary Science, Journal of Small Animal Practice, Veterinary Dermatology, Veterinary Ophthalmology, Australian Veterinary Journal, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, The Veterinary Journal, Animal Genetics, and Cartilage.