PLASVACC - Key Persons
Amanda joined Plasvacc USA in 2015 as our Laboratory Manager and Alternate APHIS Liaison. She applies her knowledge and interest in microbiology and biotechnology to ensure that all of Plasvacc's USDA-licensed plasma products are of the utmost quality via strict quality control testing.
She is an NVSL-trained EIA technician and also assists in the research and development of new products to bring the best possible plasma products to your animal. She has a great love of animals, large and small, and is more than happy to be applying her scientific background to produce products that benefit them.
Job Titles:
- Horse Health Management and Pheresis Technician
Amy originally joined us in 2014 as a part-time Horse Health team member. Eager to refine her skills in this industry, she began taking on extra work and ultimately became a Pheresis Technician in 2022. Amy enjoys the variability of her work and loves spending time with horses that are saving the lives of foals. With fierce ambitions to never stop learning, Amy has demonstrated a natural drive and ability to gracefully adapt in new, often unfamiliar roles.
Amy aids in our collection process and the care of our donor herd. Though it's no easy task, Amy takes pride in attending to the health and well-being of our horses, as she is passionately invested in the care of our animals. Outside of work, she enjoys playing rugby for her local team, spending time with her kids, especially supporting their hobbies and interests, and enjoying live music.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- President
Andrew Macarthur and his family are the owners of the Plasvacc group of companies (including Veterinary Immunogenics), with headquarters in the UK, Australia, USA, and Chile. He holds the position of Chief Executive Officer with our UK, Australia, and Chile companies, and is president of Plasvacc USA. Under his leadership, Plasvacc has grown to now have production operations in 3 countries and exports to 15. Mr. Macarthur has extensive management and consultancy experience in the area of agribusiness. He owns and oversees several rural properties and is a respected cattle & horse breeder.
Mr. Macarthur previously held the position of general manager of pastoral operations at Stanbroke Pastoral Company, Australia's largest pastoral company, which is recognised as being at the forefront of livestock research.
Mr. Macarthur is Chairman of the board of Globe Management Group Pty Ltd, an asset management company, plus a number of private companies across a wide range of industry sectors. Mr. Macarthur holds a Masters of Business Administration from Bond University.
Bernadette joined us back in 2016 as a Horse Health attendant. Her interest in learning the intricacies of our procedures led her to progress quickly into our Pheresing and Quality Assurance department and, more recently, step into her Lab Management role. Her background in customer service has aided her in being an adaptive, patient learner as well as intentional yet efficient despite working in a busy environment.
Bernadette's role means that she upholds our collection standards as well as makes sure that our donors are catered to and that our plasma is clean and safe. She enjoys tackling the daily challenges that arise from the nature of this work and is invigorated by partaking in a job where prioritizing equine welfare leads to bettering the health of a greater equine population. When she's not at work, Bernadette enjoys competing on her local rugby team, competing with her horse, Jacob, spending quality time with her dog, and connecting with friends and family.
Dr Michelle Hamilton has been a practicing veterinarian since she graduated from James Cook University in Townsville in 2011. Michelle's love and passion for animals began when she was just a girl living in outback Queensland around Tambo and Charleville. With a menagerie of animals and her mother a vet nurse, Michelle developed an interest in becoming a vet from a young age.
Michelle's love and passion for animals really shines through when providing care and treatment for Plasvacc's donor animals. Michelle also has a keen interest in canine dentistry, and can often be found providing top dental care to our canine donors.
Michelle resides locally on her farm with several pets, including cattle, horses, working dogs, a cat and goldfish. In her spare time, Michelle enjoys working on her old house, fencing, chasing cattle, or driving around Australia on 4wd camping adventures with her family.
Job Titles:
- Veterinary Technical Information & Product Support
Dr McAuliffe joined Veterinary Immunogenics in 2023 after working across four continents pursuing her distinguished veterinary career. Her appetite for travel, knowledge, and hands-on learning has earned her admirable roles, such as Head of Medicine at the Stables of King Abdullah in Saudi Arabia, and Head of Neonatology at the Kawell Equine Hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She returned to Ireland in 2017 to establish a new medicine and neonatology unit at Fethard Equine Hospital.
Dr McAuliffe provides customers with comprehensive technical and product support while drawing on her impressive experience in this field. She looks forward to further educating veterinarians on the preventative capabilities of Veterinary Immunogenics products.
Dr McAuliffe currently resides in County Tipperary, Ireland in the heart of the Irish horse-breeding district, where she offers a consultancy service in internal medicine and lives with her large family-both human and animal.
Ed received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University in 1990. During his studies he was heavily involved in equine medicine and surgery. Ed was employed by the Ohio State Racing Commission and worked as a laboratory technician for two years during veterinary school.
Upon graduation he completed an equine internship at Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center in Los Olivos, California. Since then, he has practiced in the Santa Ynez Valley of California for the last 24 years. His practice includes lameness in thoroughbred racehorses and a variety of performance horses including western and polo.
Ed is also heavily involved in broodmare practice during the breeding season, including neonatal care and foal medicine and surgery. Over the past ten years, Ed has been responsible for the breeding of 300-500 mares each year on various farms in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley in Central California.
Dr. Ryan Cate grew up in Boyd, Texas and attended Weatherford College where he obtained an Associate Degree in Agricultural Science. He continued his undergraduate studies at Texas A&M University where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets (Thunderbird 3) and graduated in 2005 with a B.S. in Animal Science. He was awarded his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Michigan State University in May 2009.
After graduating with his doctorate, Dr. Cate completed an Equine Medicine and Surgery internship at Lonestar Park Equine Hospital in Grand Prairie, TX under the guidance of Dr. Wes Williams.
Upon completing his internship, Dr. Cate moved to Grenada where he was a faculty member at St. George's University when the College of Veterinary Medicine was awarded full AVMA Accreditation in September 2011.
Dr. Cate owns Riverstone Veterinary Group, and serves as our canine specialist.
Job Titles:
- Horse Health Management and Pheresis Technician
Emma began working with Veterinary Immunogenics in 2018 as a part-time member of our Horse Health Team. Her love for this work and her enthusiastic desire to learn led her to become a Pheresis Technician in 2020 and ultimately earn her personal liscence in 2022. Emma's career in the Equine Industry started in 2002, where she worked as a yard manager for a trekking center. With so many horses to tend to, Emma's astute ability to manage a wide range of responsibilities with ease is one of her many strong suits in this position.
Emma aids in our plasma collection process and, most importantly, ensures our donors are happy, healthy, and thriving. Though our procedure is the same each time we collect plasma, our interaction with our horses is uniquely tailored to the donor and their needs. Emma's love for animals and dedication to the Veterinary Immunogenics mission makes her all the more extraordinary when interacting with our donor herd. Emma loves spending time with her family, playing rugby, and exploring with her three dogs.
Fergus's career with Veterinary Immunogenics began with our sister company, Plasvacc, in 2019. His passion for animals, and the company, ultimately led him to begin managing our VIL branch in 2022. Before taking this role, Fergus worked in breeding development with his family's cattle & horse herd. He has also traveled through North and South America to network and develop industry contacts while introducing our products to new markets. Fergus is passionate about the great potential within this business and, therefore, this industry, and he loves managing a team that is just as enthusiastic about it as he is.
Fergus oversees and manages all operations at Veterinary Immunogenics and always seeks ways to enhance our current processes. Proactive and action-oriented, Fergus's dedication to his role aids in getting our plasma into the hands of our valued customers. Outside of work, Fergus enjoys horse-back riding and connecting with friends over good food (including BBQ) on weekends.
Hayley began working for Veterinary Immunogenics in 2010 as a part-time employee overseeing Horse Health and Management. She later trained to become a Phereses Technician and became our Production Manager in 2016.
Hayley manages all aspects of our plasma production, including scheduling, shipping operations, inventory, document management, and quality assurance. Her meticulousness and diligence in her work are pivotal to ensuring that our plasma is safe from collection to delivery. Outside of work, Hayley loves to get outdoors with her animals. A perfect day for her would be riding her horse on the fell, getting a long walk in with her dogs, and connecting with friends.
Job Titles:
- Vice President
- Member of the Plasvacc Senior Management Committee
Heather has been with Plasvacc USA since 1998. Heather has a great affinity and understanding of the equine industry and is a keen rider, horse lover, and a member of the AAEVT. Starting as a trainee Pheresing Technician, Heather worked her way up through the organization to become the Production Manager in 2001, the Business Manager in 2011, and promoted to Vice President in 2020.
Heather is in charge of recruitment, staff training, and compliance. Heather is also a member of the Plasvacc Senior Management Committee and trained for EIA testing at NVSL. Most importantly, Heather understands Plasvacc's plasma products and how they assist in the treatment of various ailments in animals.
Job Titles:
- Operations & Quality Manager
Katie joined Plasvacc in 2005. During this time, Katie has grown with the company and worked in multiple positions, including an Apheresis Technician, Quality Control Technician and Quality Assurance Manager. In 2019, she left for an opportunity to work for a Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing company in which she expanded her skills and experience.
Katie then returned to Plasvacc in 2020 taking on the role of Operations & Quality Manager. Her responsibilities include overseeing daily operations, compliance, and quality activities.
Job Titles:
- Senior Pheresing Technician
Lindsey was born and raised on the Central Coast. She has a strong passion for horses and has been riding horses since she was very young. Lindsey started with the company from 2005-2007 as a pheresing technician. After a leave to begin her family, Lindsey returned to work with Plasvacc in 2013 as a pheresing technician and has since worked her way up to the Senior Technician position. Lindsey also overseas Plasvacc's donor program and the care of the donor herd.
Lucy joined us in 2022 after spending 16 years overseas working as a career nanny and personal assistant. Her executive and organisational skills gleaned from her previous work have made her an ideal fit for her current role as Office Manager.
Lucy is responsible for managing logistics involving bookings, payments, suppliers, and client interaction. Her adaptability and eagerness to learn have allowed her to carry this role with ease despite being in a new industry. When she's not in the office, Lucy enjoys fell walking, exploring new restaurants, getting creative with interior design projects, and acting at her local theatre.
Peta O'Dwyer joined Plasvacc in February 2016.
Peta has worked in multiple positions within Plasvacc, firstly as an Apheresis Technician, then moving forward as a Quality Control Technician and Quality Assurance Manager within Plasvacc's Laboratory. In 2020, Peta was promoted to Production Manager and is responsible for all matters relating to product manufacture and donor health as well as overall management of the production unit.
Peta grew up in a primary producing family in Bundaberg and has always had a passion for animals. Her life, with her husband, currently involves hands-on involvement within the Livestock Industry, selling and exhibiting led steers throughout Australia.
Job Titles:
- Scientific and Research Manager
Russell originally joined Veterinary Immunogenics back in 2017 as a Quality and Testing Consultant for our lab. With his extensive lab work and research background, Russell's methodical capabilities and insights have afforded him his role as our Scientific and Research Manager. An enthusiastic problem solver, Russell enjoys tackling new challenges and guiding his team to develop and refine new skills.
Russell contributes to the research and development of new products at Veterinary Immunogenics. His role helps to broaden and advance our scientific knowledge surrounding plasma therapy and ensures that we deliver the best possible product to your patients. When he's not at work, you'll likely find Russell traveling or learning more about geology, wildlife, and industrial heritage.
After an extensive career in the equestrian industry, Ruth joined our pheresis team in 1992 and worked her way up to become our Head Technician. Passionate about horses and motivated by equine welfare, Ruth enjoys that her role involves the utilisation of lab technology to heal and nurture sick foals.
As our Head Technician, Ruth oversees our plasma collection process, not only ensuring that the collection procedure runs smoothly but also making sure that each donor is attended to and healthy. Outside the lab, Ruth enjoys fell walking, reading, preparing and enjoying delicious food, and spending time in her garden.
Sanjaya Unantenna joined Plasvacc in April 2012.
Mr Unantenna has more than 17 years experience in financial and management accounting in medium to large companies both in Australia and overseas. His previous role was with a USA listed health management company where he was responsible for the financial and management reporting to USA and Australia. Prior to this role, he worked for more than 10 years in large agriculture related industries in Rockhampton, Toowoomba and Brisbane.
Tamara joined Plasvacc in November 2010. During this time her professionalism, hard work and dedication to the organisation led her to receive the award for the annual Rotary Club of Boonah Inc.'s "Pride of Workmanship".
Tamara is a well-respected member of our team and her primary role is managing the day-to-day operations of our office as well as maintaining and developing office policies, procedures and systems. She has gained extensive skills in all aspects of the company and takes great pride in the delivery of her team's exceptional service and administrative support to customers, suppliers and all other stakeholders. Tamara is also responsible for the supervision of shipping Plasvacc's life-saving products within Australia and across the world.
Tamara is an animal lover at heart and resides in the region with her young family and chocolate Labrador.