Speakers
Stephen F. Badylak, DVM, PhD, MD
Professor, Department of Surgery • University of Pittsburgh
Dr. Stephen F. Badylak, D.V.M., Ph.D., M.D. is a professor in the Department of Surgery, and deputy director of the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine. He has practiced both veterinary and human medicine throughout the course of his professional career. He began his academic career at Purdue University in 1983, and subsequently held a variety of positions including service as the Director of the Hillenbrand Biomedical Engineering Center from 1995-1998. Dr. Badylak holds over 50 U.S. patents, 200 patents worldwide, and has authored more than 250 scientific publications and 20 book chapters. He has served as the Chair of several study sections at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and is now a member of the College of Scientific Reviewers for NIH. Dr. Badylak has either chaired or been a member of the Scientific Advisory Board to several major medical device companies. He is a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, a member of the Society for Biomaterials, a charter member of the Tissue Engineering Society International, and currently president of the Tissue Engineering Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS). Dr. Badylak is the Associate Editor for Tissue Engineering for the journal Cells, Tissues, Organs, and serves on the editorial board of several other journals. His major research interests include: Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Biomaterials and Biomaterial/Tissue Interactions, Developmental Biology and its Relationship to Regenerative Medicine, Relationship of the Innate Immune Response to Tissue Regeneration, Biomedical Engineering as it Relates to Device Development and Biomaterials, and Clinical Translation of Regenerative Medicine.
Deborah S. Greco, DVM, PhD, DACVIM
Senior Research Scientist • Nestle Purina Petcare
Dr. Deborah S. Greco is currently a senior research scientist with Nestle Purina Petcare. Based in New York, Dr. Greco is an internationally known speaker and expert on endocrine diseases of small animals. She received her DVM degree from the University of California in 1982 and completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Louisiana State University from 1982-1983. She became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 1986 after completing an internal medicine residency at Texas A&M. Her medicine residency at Texas A&M included a PhD in veterinary physiology and pharmacology. Dr. Greco was a professor of small animal internal medicine at Colorado State University for 12 years. She has been president of the Society for Comparative Endocrinology (1994-1997) and served as the ACVIM Forum program chairperson from 1994-1997. Current research interests are in the fields of canine hyperadrenocorticism, canine hypothyroidism and dietary treatment of feline diabetes mellitus. Dr. Greco was the recipient of the Pfizer award for research excellence at Colorado State University in 1996 and in 1998 she received the AAFP research award for her work on feline diabetes mellitus. After several years on staff at the Animal Medical Center in New York City, Dr. Greco joined Nestle Purina Pet Care as a senior veterinary consultant.
Priti S. Karnik, DVM, DACVS
Assistant Professor, Small Animal Surgery • Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine
A native of Long Island, New York, Dr. Priti S. Karnik attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed her fourth clinical year of study at Cornell University in 2001. She pursued an internship and then residency in small animal surgery at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Karnik became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2006 and was Director of Surgical Services at Atlantic Coast Veterinary Specialists in New York from 2005 through 2007. She later moved to San Diego, California and joined the VCA Emergency Animal Hospital and Referral Center, where she practiced as a surgeon for 4 years. Her love of teaching and desire to be back in St. Kitts brought her back to the island in July 2011. Dr. Karnik joined Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine’s faculty as an assistant professor in small animal surgery and teaches in the 6th semester surgery course, surgery lab and spay lab for the 7th semester students. She also performs surgeries in the veterinary teaching hospital. Dr. Karnik has authored several scientific articles and has lectured at numerous continuing education events.
Michael R. Lappin, DVM, PhD, DACVIM
Professor, Small Animal Internal Medicine • Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
After graduating from the veterinary program at Oklahoma State University in 1981, Dr. Michael R. Lappin completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the University of Georgia. After 2 years in a small animal practice in Los Angeles, he returned to the University of Georgia where he completed a small animal internal medicine residency and a PhD in Parasitology. Dr. Lappin was board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 1987. He is currently professor of small animal internal medicine at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University. Dr. Lappin studies feline infectious and immune-mediated diseases and has written over 200 primary research manuscripts and book chapters. His principal areas of interest are prevention of infectious diseases, the upper respiratory disease complex, infectious causes of fever, infectious causes of diarrhea, and zoonoses of cats. Dr. Lappin sits on the editorial board of Feline Medicine and Surgery and Compendium for Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian and is the editor of the textbook, Feline Internal Medicine Secrets. He has received the Beecham Research Award and the Norden Distinguished Teaching Award. Dr. Lappin is the Kenneth W. Smith Professor in Small Animal Clinical Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University and is currently the assistant department head for research. Dr. Lappin is the director of the “Center for Companion Animal Studies.” He was selected to receive the European Society of Feline Medicine International Award 2008 for Outstanding Contribution to Feline Medicine, the Winn Feline Research Award in 2009, and was named an Oklahoma State University Distinguished Professor in 2010.
Stephen M. Reed, DVM, DACVIM
Equine Specialist • Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital
Dr. Stephen M. Reed graduated from Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1976. Following graduation, Dr. Reed served as an intern and then resident in equine medicine and surgery at Michigan State University. At the end of his residency in 1979 he accepted a faculty position at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University. In 1983 he joined the faculty at Ohio State University as an assistant professor, rising to the rank of professor in 1994. In 2003 Dr. Reed was named to the Jenne Professorship in equine medicine and surgery. In addition to his academic appointment, Dr. Reed served the College in a number of roles including section head, college development director and chair of the Equine Research Committee. In 2007 Dr. Reed retired from Ohio State University as an emeritus professor. At the same time he chose a new career path away from academia and now works as an equine specialist at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. Dr. Reed is widely recognized for his commitment to the horse, equine veterinarians and the equine industry. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, he developed an interest in the specialty of equine neurology and became recognized as an expert in this area. He has written and spoken extensively on “wobbler” syndrome, equine protozoal myelitis, head trauma and the neurologic examination. In addition, Dr. Reed has authored or co-authored more than 150 peer reviewed publications.
Victoria L. Voith, DVM, PhD, DACVB
Professor, Animal Behavior • Western University of Health Sciences
Dr. Victoria L. Voith earned her doctor of veterinary medicine degree from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1968. She subsequently earned her MS degree in veterinary clinical sciences at the same institution. In 1982 she received her PhD in neuroanatomy/animal behavior from the University of California, Davis. She was an early pioneer in the field of clinical animal behavior and human-animal interactions. Dr. Voith is a charter member of both the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and the American Association of the Human-Animal Bond. She is currently a faculty member and content expert in animal behavior at Western University of Health Sciences, where she also serves as director of the Animal Behavior Clinic. One of her recent studies includes investigating the validity and reliability of visual dog breed identification. Her other research interests include Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis's Response to Stress, Aggressive Behavior, Separation Distress and Depression in Social Animals, and Human-Animal Bond.
Elpida Artemiou
Instructor, Communications • Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine
Elpida Artemiou is instructor of communications at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. She began her academic career in counseling and is now pursuing a PhD in medical education with an emphasis on clinical communication. Elpida views research as an integral component of enhancing educational programs and is interested in novel teaching methodologies and outcome assessments.
Jenny Moffett, BVetMed, MSc, Dip MarComm
Director, Communication Skills • Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Jenny Moffett holds a veterinary degree from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London and a master of science communication degree from Dublin City University. She is an experienced communication skills lecturer, facilitator and trainer, and is co-editor of Handbook of Veterinary Communication Skills. Dr. Moffett is currently the director of communication skills at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine.
Belle M. Nibblett, DVM, DACVIM
Assistant Professor, Small Animal Internal Medicine ? Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Belle M. Nibblett earned her doctor of veterinary medicine degree from Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, where she had previously earned her master of veterinary science degree. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and has been a faculty member at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine for the past four years. Dr. Nibblett’s research interests include feline hemotropic mycoplasma infections, canine erhlichiosis, and efficacy of teaching methodology.
Dustine Spencer, DVM
Assistant Professor, Anatomy • Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Dustine Spencer earned her doctor of veterinary medicine degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. After five years of small animal practice in Las Vegas, she returned to her alma mater as an assistant professor of anatomy. Dr. Spencer is an IAH Bayer Communication Project-trained facilitator with a research interest in veterinary education and communication.
