About Me

At NiKara Preclinical, I provide specialized surgical, interventional, and anesthesia expertise to help sponsors, CROs, and academic teams advance their research with precision and efficiency. As the sole owner and operator, I bring over 20 years of experience in veterinary medicine and preclinical research, ensuring that each study runs smoothly, ethically, and on time.

My veterinary career began in 1998, working in general practice and animal shelters. In 2006, I earned my A.A.S. in Veterinary Technology and became a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) — credentials I’ve proudly maintained ever since. From there, I specialized in surgery and anesthesia, gaining experience with multiple species ranging from everyday pets to great apes and big cats.

Over the years, I have managed surgical cases spanning routine soft tissue procedures to complex open-heart surgeries, with orthopedic and neurological cases in between. My “office” has ranged from high-volume HQHVSN mobile surgical units to the most advanced catheter lab environments.

I hold BLS and ALS certifications through the RECOVER Initiative, reflecting my commitment to the highest standards of patient monitoring, resuscitation, and perioperative safety. I’ve had the privilege of learning directly from board-certified veterinary anesthesiologists and surgeons, as well as some of the top Surgical Research Specialists, contract surgeons, and interventionalists in the Twin Cities. Most recently, I achieved Surgical Research Specialist (SRS) certification through the Academy of Surgical Research, reflecting my dedication to the highest professional and ethical standards in preclinical surgical science.

Professional Memberships & Affiliations

I maintain active memberships with:

• Academy of Surgical Research (ASR)

• Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA)

• Minnesota Association of Veterinary Technicians (MAVT)

• National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)

• RECOVER Initiative

• American Association of Veterinary Anatomists (AAVA)

What I Offer

I integrate seamlessly with research teams to provide:

• Surgical & Interventional Support — from general surgery to catheter-based procedures, device implantation, and imaging-guided techniques.

• Anesthesia & Pain Management — custom anesthetic protocols, advanced monitoring, and multimodal analgesia strategies.

• Training & Mentorship — hands-on technical training, curriculum development, and GLP/FDA-compliant SOP alignment.

• Protocol Development & Study Design — feasibility assessment, procedural protocol creation, and animal welfare integration.

• Operational Support — workflow optimization, staff utilization, GLP readiness audits, and compliance consulting.

• Necropsy & Prosector Services — gross evaluations, surgical site and implant assessments, and targeted tissue collection.

Experience That Delivers

Over the course of my career, I have served as:

• Owner & Preclinical Surgeon (NiKara Preclinical) – delivering contract surgical execution, study design, and training for CROs and sponsors.

• Laboratory Operations Manager & Surgeon (Element Research Group) – directing surgical operations, compliance, and staff training.

• Senior Surgical Technician / Proceduralist (multiple CRO/MROs) – executing advanced surgical, anesthetic, and interventional procedures.

• Anesthesia & Pain Management Technician (University of Minnesota VMC) – providing advanced anesthesia under boarded anesthesiologists and designing the PACU program.

This foundation, combined with my roles in shelter medicine, HQHVSN programs, and emergency/ICU relief work, gives me a comprehensive perspective on both research integrity and animal welfare.

Why Work With Me

I understand the challenges of balancing study goals, regulatory requirements, and animal care. By combining technical expertise, regulatory knowledge, and a collaborative approach, I help research teams meet timelines and generate reproducible, high-quality data.

At NiKara Preclinical, you work directly with the surgeon — no middle layers, no miscommunication, just clear expertise tailored to your study’s needs.