Dr. Gita Malik-Dahiya is a veterinarian, scientist, and regulatory leader currently serving as the National Manager of the Canadian Centre for Veterinary Biologics (CCVB) at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). In this role, she leads the national regulatory oversight of veterinary biologics in Canada, including the manufacturing, licensing, import, and export of animal health products such as vaccines, in vitro diagnostic kits, and antibody-based products. She also serves as a focal point for veterinary products for Canada. Dr. Malik-Dahiya has a Master’s degree in Veterinary Biochemistry and Immunology and a PhD specializing in gut microbial ecology and immunity. Her research has focused on surveillance and vaccination programs for diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease and Hemorrhagic Septicemia in water buffaloes and cattle. During her doctoral studies, she used gnotobiotic pig models to investigate gut microbial ecology and its role in gastrointestinal health and immune development, contributing to advancements in pre-harvest food safety. Within the federal government, Dr. Malik-Dahiya has worked extensively in food safety and animal health. She contributed to pathogen reduction initiatives in poultry slaughter and processing and played a key role in the development of a modern, outcome-based regulatory framework . She also served as the national lead for the chemical residues program in meat, overseeing surveillance and testing to ensure compliance with Canadian standards and guidelines for chemical residues and contaminants, including veterinary drugs. Prior to joining CCVB, she worked in various animal health leadership roles, including as a National Avian Specialist and national manager for Foreign animal disease disease program, where she designed and implemented policies and programs to control highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), Newcastle disease (NCD), and other foreign animal diseases. She later managed national responses to foreign animal disease outbreaks. Dr. Malik-Dahiya has extensive fieldwork and research experience from both India, where she grew up, and Canada, which she has called home for over 25 years.