Seven new faculty join the College
Please join us in welcoming seven new faculty to the College of Veterinary Medicine
Gerlinde van de Walle:
Assistant Professor of Viral Pathogenesis, Baker Institute for Animal Health and Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Academic focus:
Our laboratory studies the pathogenesis of alphaherpesviruses. We also work on the isolation and characterization of adult stem cells in different companion animals.
Previous positions:
Assistant professor in Stem Cell Biology, Ghent University, Belgium, 2010-2012.
Postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Virology, Parasitology & Immunology, Ghent University, Belgium, 2008-2011.
Postdoctoral associate at the Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, 2006-2008.
Postdoctoral researcher at the Laboratory for Thrombosis Research, University of Leuven, Belgium, 2003-2005
Academic background:
DVM (1999) in small companion animals, GhentUniversity, Belgium
PhD (2003) in veterinary virology, Ghent University, Belgium
Last book read:
The Land of Painted Caves, 6th novel of the Earth’s Children series by Jean M. Auel
Hobbies and interests:
Enjoying nature and cooking, especially verrines and foams
Start date:
January 1, 2013
Ryane Englar
BS ’04, DVM ’08, Instructor, Community Practice Service, Department of Clinical Sciences; AND Cornell University Feline Health Center Consultant
Academic focus:
Simulating small animal general practice to give students exposure to and experience working through client interactions and physical examinations; develop lists of differential diagnoses; and create a plan tailored to the individual patient. Teaching within the realm of the Community Practice Service has granted me the opportunity to give back to the students who are the true heart of the profession, in coaching them through some of their 'firsts,' cheering them onward and upward as they experience that first taste of victory, and sharing in their hopes, dreams, fears, and tears shed along the way.
Previous positions:
Associate Veterinarian, Towne & Country Veterinary Hospital, Corning, NY, October 2009 – August 31, 2013
Associate veterinarian, Falls Road Animal Hospital, Baltimore, MD, June 2008 – September 2009
Academic background:
B.S., animal science, Cornell (2004) DVM (2008)
Pursuing ABVP specialty board certification in Canine and Feline Practice
Last book read:
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Hobbies and interests:
Playing the piano, painting, frequenting Starbucks for caramel lattes with extra caramel, soaking in the sun
Start date:
September 1, 2013
Katie Kelly:
Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences
College:
Veterinary Medicine
Academic focus:
I will be investigating the effect of inflammatory mediators on cardiac function and developing cardio-protective strategies to preserve cardiac function with chronic disease. I also hope to contribute to the cardiac and cardiovascular pathology expertise of the Anatomic Pathology Section.
Previous positions:
Postdoctoral Fellow, Johns Hopkins 2012-2013
Field Veterinarian, Maryland Department of Agriculture, 2005-2007
Associate Veterinarian, Fullerton Animal Hospital, Baltimore, 2003-2006
Academic background:
B.S., biology, Towson University Biology (1999)
D.V.M., North Carolina State University Veterinary Medicine (2003)
Residency in comparative pathology, Johns Hopkins University (2011), DACVP
Ph.D., pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University (2012)
Last book read:
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
Hobbies and interests:
Cooking, eating, and hiking with my mutt Arthur
Start date:
August 15, 2013
Sergiy Libert:
Assistant Professor of Cell and Molecular Biology, Department of Biomedical Sciences
Academic focus:
I am interested in molecular biology of aging. Advanced age is the biggest risk factor for numerous diseases and disorders, and I believe that an understanding of the basic molecular processes that accompany aging will allow the development of interventions capable of ameliorating age-associated diseases and extending the healthy portion of human lifespans.
Previous positions:
Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2007-2013
Academic background:
Ph.D., cell and molecular biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Davis (2007)
M.S., physics, Clarkson University, (2003)
B.S., physics, Kiev-Mohyla Academy, (2001)
Last book read:
Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
Hobbies and interests:
Swimming and motorcycles
Start date:
May 1, 2013
Bethany Cummings:
Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences
Academic focus:
My laboratory studies the etiology and treatment of obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In particular, my laboratory is currently focused on identifying the mechanisms by which bariatric surgeries, such as Roux en Y Gastric Bypass, cause type 2 diabetes resolution by developing and studying rodent models of bariatric surgery. Identification of the major mechanisms underlying surgically-induced improvements of glucose metabolism may allow for the development of novel therapies for managing obesity and treating type-2 diabetes.
Previous positions:
Assistant Adjunct Professor, University of California, Davis, Department of Molecular Biosciences, March 2013 – August 2013
Assistant Project Biochemist, University of California, Davis; Department of Molecular Biosciences, August 2011 - February 2013
Academic background:
D.V.M. University of California, Davis, (2011)
Ph.D., physiology, University of California, Davis (2009)
B.S., biology, Brandeis University, (2005)
B.A., economics, Brandeis University, (2005)
Hobbies and interests:
Enjoying the Finger Lakes, searching for great coffee
Andrew Miller:
Anne Groot Sesquicentennial Fellow, Assistant Professor of Pathology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Anatomic Pathology
College:
Veterinary Medicine
Academic focus:
My laboratory is focused primarily on studying the mechanisms underlying neurologic disease in companion animals utilizing both spontaneously arising disease models and experimental models in a variety of laboratory animal species.
Previous positions:
Assistant Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, New England Primate Research Center, 2013
Instructor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, New England Primate Research Center, 2010-2013
Research Associate, Harvard Medical School, New England Primate Research Center, 2008-2010
Academic background:
ACVP (American College of Veterinary Pathologists) Board Certified, (2008)
D.V.M., Cornell University, (2005)
B.S. Cum Laude with Distinction in Research, Animal science, Cornell University, (2001)
Last book read:
Life Everlasting: The Animal Way of Death, by Bernd Heinrich
Hobbies and interests:
Hiking, gardening, antique furniture restoration, birdwatching, and biking
Start date:
October 1, 2013
Joshua Chappie:
Assistant Professor and Nancy and Peter Meinig Family Investigator in the Life Sciences, Department of Molecular Medicine
Academic focus:
My lab uses a combination of structural biology, biochemistry, and cell biology to dissect how bacterial proteins targeting modified DNA function as defense systems against bacterial-specific viruses. Understanding these defense systems will help in the development of new therapeutic strategies for treating highly virulent strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Previous positions:
Postdoctoral Fellow, Dyda Lab, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), 2009-2013
Academic background:
B.S./M.S., Biochemistry, Brandeis University (2003)
PhD, Biophysics, The Scripps Research Institute (2009)
Last book read:
Doughnut by Tom Holt
Hobbies and interests:
Cooking, playing and listening to music, and watching cartoons.
Start date:
October 2, 2013
