Veterinary Forensic Expert Dr. Lisa Germanis Named Penn Vet’s 2026 Commencement Speaker

Lisa Germanis, VMD, medical director and director of forensics at the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PSPCA), will deliver the address at the 2026 University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) Commencement to be held on Monday, May 18, 2026.

“Dr. Germanis has forged a career that demonstrates the power of veterinary medicine to protect the most vulnerable and serve the public good,” said the Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine, Andrew M. Hoffman, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM. “Her leadership in veterinary forensics, her advocacy for accessible care, and her enduring commitment to our students make her an extraordinary role model for the Class of 2026. We are proud to welcome her home to Penn Vet as this year’s Commencement speaker.”

Germanis earned her VMD in 2008, followed by a Graduate Certificate in Veterinary Forensics from the University of Florida and an internship with the ASPCA in New York City. She has built a distinguished career at the forefront of animal cruelty investigations, specializing in forensic examinations, necropsies, and crime scene investigations. Qualified as an expert witness in 18 counties across Pennsylvania, she is widely recognized as an authority on organized animal fighting and frequently provides expert testimony and educational programming on the subject.

In her dual role as medical director and director of forensics at the PSPCA, Germanis oversees complex cruelty cases and leads clinical operations that expand access to care. She supervises community clinics and high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter programs throughout Pennsylvania, advancing humane education and promoting accessible veterinary services as critical strategies in preventing abuse and neglect.

Germanis remains closely connected to Penn Vet, mentoring veterinary students and externs and regularly partnering with the School to deliver an introductory lecture on veterinary forensics. Her commitment to education and evidence-based practice extends to her published research on an outpatient treatment protocol for canine parvovirus.

An active member of the International Veterinary Forensic Sciences Association, the Association of Shelter Veterinarians, and the Veterinary Association for Farm Animal Welfare, Germanis continues to shape the evolving field of veterinary forensics while championing compassionate, community-centered care.

Event details are available on Penn Vet’s 2026 Commencement page.