Dr. Ronald Li earns top AVMF award for feline research
(SCHAUMBURG, Illinois) July 2, 2025—The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) today honored Dr. Ronald Li, associate professor of small animal emergency and critical care in the Department of Clinical Sciences at North Carolina State University, as the winner of the 2025 American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) Career Achievement in Feline Research Award.
This award recognizes an AVMA member veterinarian’s long-time contribution to advancing feline health through their research.
"Dr. Li’s research has transformed our understanding of thromboembolic disease in cats and is directly improving outcomes for patients facing some of the most complex and life-threatening conditions in feline medicine," said Dr. Sandra Faeh, president of the AVMA. "His contributions embody the best of veterinary research: rigorous science, clinical impact and a deep commitment to mentoring the next generation of veterinary professionals. It’s an honor to present Dr. Li with this prestigious award."
Dr. Li, a 2009 graduate of the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College, is an international expert in thrombosis and hemostasis. His work is dedicated to improving understanding of platelet and neutrophil biology, their interaction in states of hypercoagulability and the identification of novel pathway targets to improve disease outcomes. His work is particularly focused on feline thrombosis as it relates to cardiovascular diseases like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and the discovery of novel congenital platelet disorders.
His groundbreaking research has contributed to multiple key discoveries, including the synergistic activity between clopidogrel and rivaroxaban in improving survival times for cats suffering from cardiogenic arterial thromboembolism, a serious and often fatal disease. Dr. Li’s work to improve understanding of the mechanisms behind this problem is fundamental to developing treatments to help the thousands of cats that suffer from ATE each year and the families faced with the emotional and financial hardships associated with the disease.
Dr. Li’s research has led to more than 20 peer-reviewed publications on feline health in the past five years alone. His studies on hypercoagulability in cats affected by California wildfires identified severe hypercoagulability and thrombosis in these cats, and his team’s clinical work and observations resulted in research that changed the way these cases are managed today.
Beyond the lab, Dr. Li is a dedicated educator and mentor. He trains undergraduate and veterinary students, residents and graduate researchers across specialties such as emergency and critical care, cardiology, clinical pathology and cell biology. He also serves as a member of the Feline Health Center at N.C. State University and as the Feline Health Center representative to the school’s College Research Committee. In this role, Dr. Li ensures that the college’s investments in shared equipment, intramural awards and strategy are all done with feline research in mind.
In 2024, Dr. Li was appointed to the Feline Veterinary Medical Association’s Heart Health Task Force, where he is leading international training initiatives to equip general practitioners with up-to-date knowledge on feline cardiovascular care and antithrombotic therapies.
To learn more about the AVMF Career Achievement in Feline Research Award and past recipients, visit www.avma.org/awards.
For more information, contact Michael San Filippo, senior media relations manager, at 847-732-6194 (cell) or msanfilippo
avma [dot] org (msanfilippo[at]avma[dot]org).
Serving more than 108,000 member veterinarians, the AVMA is the nation's leading representative of the veterinary profession, dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of animals, humans and the environment. Founded in 1863 and with members in every U.S. state and territory and more than 60 countries, the AVMA is one of the largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. Informed by our members' unique scientific training and clinical knowledge, the AVMA supports the crucial work of veterinarians and advocates for policies that advance the practice of veterinary medicine and improve animal and human health.