Derek Cissell, VMD, PhD, DACVR, Assistant Professor;

Derek Cissel obtained his BS in Animal Science at University of Connecticut. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2005.

For two years he worked in a mixed-animal private practice in Utah before moving to UC Davis in 2007 to pursue a residency in veterinary radiology and PhD in biomedical engineering. Dr. Cissell joined the UC Davis faculty in 2016.

His clinical interests include musculoskeletal radiology, equine radiology, and advanced imaging. Dr. Cissell’s research works toward applying biomedical imaging to assess tissue function and improve diagnosis of musculoskeletal injuries.

Simon R. Platt, BVM&S, MRCVS, DACVIM (Neurology), DECVN, Professor;

Dr. Simon Platt received his veterinary degree from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1992. Following that, he undertook an internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph and a two-year period in private practice in England. Dr. Platt completed a residency in neurology and neurosurgery in 1998 at the University of Florida and afterward spent two years as an assistant professor of Neurology at the University of Georgia. In 2000, Dr. Platt returned to the UK where he was Head of the Neurology/Neurosurgery service at the Animal Health Trust until 2006. Since then he has been an associate professor and then professor in the Dept. of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at the University of Georgia.

In 2011-2014 he was a president of ACVIM Neurology Specialty. Dr. Platt is a founding member of Southeastern Veterinary Neurology Group (SEVEN) and one of four US one of four US neuroscientists on 26-member task force - International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force. Dr. Platt has authored or co-authored more than 190 journal articles and 50 book chapters and is the co-editor of three textbooks: BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Neurology; the Manual of Small Animal Neurological Emergencies; and, Canine and Feline Epilepsy: Diagnosis and Management.

He is a hospital clinician and neurosurgeon whose research interests include epilepsy, ischemic disease of the central nervous system (canine strokes), and brain tumors. 

He has won many awards, including David Tyler Award for Innovative Teaching, UGA (2012), Clinical Research Award, UGA (2010), BSAVA Blaine Award for Outstanding Contributions to Small Animal Medicine and Surgery (2005), ​AAVC National Resident of the Year (1998).