About us

Dr. Ronald D. Tyler Jr.

American Veterinary Pathology Associates (AVPA) is owned and operated by veterinary pathologist, Dr. Ronald D. Tyler Jr.  Dr. Tyler completed undergraduate school in Wilmington, North Carolina, obtaining an associate of arts (AA - 1996) from Cape Fear Community College and a bachelor of science (BS - 1998) in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW).  Dr. Tyler received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM - 2004) from Oklahoma State University and practiced as a small animal veterinarian in Tulsa, Oklahoma for two years. In 2006, Dr. Tyler started a combined veterinary pathology residency/graduate degree program at Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.  During his veterinary pathology training Dr. Tyler received several awards including the C.L. Davis Scholarship in Veterinary Pathology in 2009 and a prestigious 4-month sponsored research award that provided Dr. Tyler with the funding to live and study Ovine paratuberculosis in Chennai, India (March 2011-July 2011) at the Tamil-Nadu Veterinary and Animal Science University (TANUVAS).  Dr. Tyler received his Masters of Science (MS - 2012) in Biomedical & Veterinary Sciences from Virginia Tech on research correlating quantitative histopathology with quantitative PCR applied in Johne’s disease.

Dr. Tyler has over 7 years of diagnostic veterinary pathology experience and is licensed in Virginia, New York and Oklahoma. Dr. Tyler’s interests are in the instruction & education of the veterinary sciences, diagnostic pathology, gastrointestinal diseases (Johne’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease), digital pathology, quantitative histopathology, dermatopathology, and many other areas of diagnostic veterinary pathology.  Dr. Tyler is a committed supporter of the veterinary profession, maintains memberships in the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, Southwest Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, and Society for Toxicological Pathology.

Dr. Scott Trasti

Providing consulting & relief services to American Veterinary Pathology Associates, Dr. Scott Trasti brings a unique expertise in lab animal pathology and over 13 years of experience in diagnostic pathology to AVPA.  Dr. Trasti attended North Carolina State University in Raleigh for both undergraduate studies and Veterinary Medical School, earning a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1996. Dr. Trasti then completed a residency in Anatomic Veterinary Pathology at Cornell University and a Fellowship in lab animal/rodent pathology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  He stayed on at UNC Chapel Hill as Assistant Professor of Pathology before becoming an Associate Director in the Division of Laboratory Animal Resources at Duke University. His most recent position was as the Attending Veterinarian and Pathologist at the National University of Singapore. 

In addition to being a Veterinary Pathologist Dr. Trasti has maintains his clinical medical skills which make him uniquely qualified to provide diagnostic pathology services for companion animal practitioners as well as to provide research pathology support in Academia.

Dr. Ronald D. Tyler Sr.

Providing free consultations to American Veterinary Pathology Associates is Dr. Ronald Tyler Sr. (father). Dr. Tyler Sr. received a BS in zoology from the University of Oklahoma, and DVM (1977) & PhD (1986) from Oklahoma State University. Dr. Tyler practiced small animal & mixed animal veterinary medicine for 2 years before beginning his residency in veterinary pathology at Oklahoma State University in 1980.

Dr. Tyler Sr. brings over 30 years of experience in diagnostic veterinary pathology and a unique expertise in clinical chemistry and hematology to the American Veterinary Pathology Associates. 

Dr. John Robertson

Providing expertise in Toxicologic Pathology to American Veterinary Pathology Associates is veterinary pathologist Dr. John Robertson. Dr. Roberston earned his VMD (Veterinary Medical Doctorate) and PhD from the University of Pennsylvania in 1976 & 1977 respectfully. Dr. Robertson brings over three decades of experience in toxicologic pathology, pre-clinical toxicology research & diagnostic pathology to American Veterinary Pathology Associates. Dr. Robertson is former President of the Society of Toxicologic Pathologists and a full professor at Virginia Tech. Dr. Robertson has served as a veterinary pathologist consultant to the FDA and is a world renown expert in oncologic and toxicologic pathology.





Ms. Carla A. Gutierrez, MS, MPH

Providing expertise in Microbiology & Public Health to American Veterinary Pathology Associates is Carla Gutierrez, MS, MPH. Ms. Gutierrez earned a Master in Science in Microbiology in Food Science & Technology from Virginia Tech in 2009 and earned the Master of Public Health with a concentration on infectious diseases from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 2013. Ms. Gutierrez has over 6 years experience in microbiology and has won several awards in her role as Laboratory Specialist in the Department of Microbiology at Virginia Tech. Ms. Gutierrez applies her knowledge of microbiology, infectious diseases and epidemiology in our quality assurance programs and for our complimentary client’s annual "Epidemiology" studies of yearly submitted cases.

Adding to the expertise of American Veterinary Pathology Associates, We maintain great relationships with several veterinary pathologists for consultations, reviews and service. 

American Veterinary Pathology Associates is a small family owned professional company and we treat our clients as part of the family.

We thank you for supporting our company and family!