Prospective Students

I am a Professor in the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology. My teaching responsibilities include Veterinary Parasitology and graduate courses on infectious diseases and research. My research is directed at advancing biological understanding of interactions between host animals and infectious diseases. The aim is to discover new applications for the control of these diseases. A specific area of research is on gastrointestinal nematodes that infect livestock and humans. We are investigating nematode intestinal proteins that function in nutrient digestion and acquisition by these parasites. A goal is to develop new methods of immune control or chemotherapy by targeting critical intestinal proteins of gastrointestinal nematodes.

My current position involves teaching in the veterinary curriculum and providing diagnostic toxicology service to Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and the University of Idaho's Analytical Sciences Laboratory. The veterinary toxicology service currently receives over 1300 cases per year, totaling more than 4100 tests. These cases come from all over the Northwest and include submissions involving all animal species.

I process and answer all application questions for applying students. I set up interviews, tours of the hospital, send correspondence letters and brochures, and make sure each student has all the required information in their application packet for the admissions committee reviews during the admissions process. I work with the rest of the team to ensure that all current and future students receive the information they need to complete the application process, visit the school and get their DVM degree.
A little about myself: I enjoy all types of needlework, visiting the ocean, camping, riding 4-wheelers and being with my husband, our 3 grown daughters, their husbands and our 7 grandchildren. One of the first things you will notice if you ever visit my office is all my family photos.
Pets: Our 4-legged family member is Tamone. She might let you pet her and she might not. Tamone is a tabby-Manx cross. I have been accused by a 5 year old boy of being a not-so-nice person because I cut off my cat's tail. Have you ever tried to explain to a 5-year-old why some cats do not have tails? This is something you may want to think about if you want to go into the veterinary field, because by a 5-year-old's calculation... all cats have tails and that is that.

Before my current position as Academic Coordinator in Student Services, I served as the program coordinator for clinical communication, leadership and continuing education programs for the WSU CVM.   Now, in my new role, my goal is one of helping our DVM students to be successful while here at WSU.
 
Prior to joining the CVM team in 2007, I worked 27 years in K-12 education. I studied fine arts at Central Washington University, and I’m a published illustrator.  
 
My hobbies are . . . family, fishing, backpacking, camping, wildlife photography, and gardening.  In the fall and winter months you can find my husband and me, along with our cocker spaniel, steelhead fishing most weekends on the Snake and Clearwater Rivers in Idaho.

My primary job is to provide counseling for students in the College of Veterinary Medicine.  I also offer workshops to students on such topics as study skills, test anxiety, and relationships.  In addition, I’m available to consult with faculty and staff members on issues related to students.

I have worked at WSU in Student Affairs, Career Services, and Counseling Services and I earned my PhD in Counseling Psychology at WSU as well.  For the past several years I have been in private practice in Pullman.  I was excited to return to WSU in 2011 as a counselor for vet students.  My professional interests include couples counseling, anxiety disorders and adult children of divorce.