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Meet The Faculty and Staff

	James Q. Knight D.V.M. Director of Animal Science Programs Dr. Knight is a 1973 graduate of Michigan State University. After 12 years in Glendale, Arizona in mixed practice he became USDA Veterinary Medical Officer for Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. He then returned to private practice and has worked in several small animal practices as well as 2 non-profit facilities. He became Director of the Animal Science Program at Becker in September of 2002. His special interests in Veterinary Medicine include shelter medicine, surgical sterilization of dogs and cats and animal welfare. He is past President of the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association, past chair of the Animal Welfare Committee and current Chair of the Veterinary Technicians Committee. He is founder of Link-UP Education Network, an organization of professionals trying to break the link between animal abuse and violence to people and is a founding member and board member of the Massachusetts Animal Coalition. He currently teaches Veterinary Ethics and Companion Animal Diseases and directs the field trips for students to local animal shelters.
	Gail Hartman D.V.M. Director of Veterinary Clinical Services Dr. Hartman is the Director of Veterinary Clinical Services for Becker College's veterinary clinic. Following graduation from Pennsylvania State University; she worked as a veterinary technician for 8 years including 3 years as a Peace Corp volunteer in Africa. She worked in research and clinical laboratories and as a nurse in a busy veterinary hospital. In 1980 she entered Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, she worked as a small animal clinician on the North Shore. In 1996 she became a staff veterinarian at Becker College. Dr. Hartman is the primary instructor in Veterinary Anesthesia. This is a course taught in the second year of the Veterinary Technology program and has both a lecture and a lab. The students help the veterinarian and surgery technician perform surgical procedures on client-owned animals. Thus the students have a taste of "real-life" within the laboratory setting. Dr. Hartman also sees small animal outpatient appointments with students three days a week. The Lennfest Animal Health Center is open to the public to see mainly dogs and cats.
	Charlotte Newell D.V.M. Faculty Chair/Equine Studies Program Associate Professor and Staff Veterinarian Dr. Newell started out at UMass/Amherst, left to milk cows and work with horses, later wandered back indoors as a research technician and finally went back to school at UMass/Boston to complete her degree. She spent time as a small animal veterinary technician in a private practice and later at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital while applying to veterinary school. She attended Tufts Veterinary School, and graduated in 1987. When not teaching, she does solo mixed ambulatory practice, primarily large animal/equine. She is also interested and has pursued continuing education in veterinary acupuncture and herbal medicine. Dr. Newell does some competitive trail judging for ECTRA, and has a small breeding program involving preservation breeding of Syrian Arabian horses. She has been known to foxhunt when her horse is fit enough and show occasionally. Dr. Newell is the Faculty Chair for the Equine Studies Program and teaches in the Veterinary Technology, Veterinary Science, Pre-Vet and Equine Studies Programs.
	Paula Northrop M.S., D.V.M. Associate Professor and Staff Veterinarian Dr. Northrup received her Bachelor degree in zoology from the University of Vermont and then spent 3 years as a Research Assistant at Yale Medical School. She continued her interest in medicine and animal health at UMASS Amherst obtaining a Master of Science in Veterinary and Animal Science. She left New England to attend veterinary school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After graduation she practiced small animal medicine before returning to New England for an internship. Dr. Northrop came to Becker in 1995. She has held the position of Attending Veterinarian at Becker and is presently Associate Professor and Staff Veterinarian. Dr. Northrop teaches in the Vet-Tech, Vet Science and Pre-Vet majors.
	Marianne Williams Administrative Assistant to the Director, Animal Science Programs Marianne joined the Becker College Staff in August 2006. She provides administrative support to the department, and is Budget Manager for the Department of Animal Science Programs and the Lenfest Animal Health Center. Marianne maintains the Animal Science Programs web page and acts as a liaison between the faculty, staff and students.
	Victoria Axford Kennel Supervisor Victoria Axford is a full-time Kennel Supervisor at the Lenfest Animal Health Center. She began working towards a degree for Pre-Veterinary Studies at Becker College in the fall of 2005. Victoria attended the University of Wisconsin, full time, majoring in Conservation and Environmental Studies, while working at Fidelity Investments and a Doggie Day Care. She has many years of experience working with animal shelters in various locations. Victoria cares for many foster animals on a regular basis.
	Laurie Bebick C.V.T. Staff Veterinary Technician and Clinical Instructor Laurie joined the Becker College staff in August 2000. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1987 with a degree in Animal Science. She has worked for the Worcester Ecotarium as a Zookeeper. She currently teaches the sophomore Surgical Nursing and Anesthesia course.
	Rebecca Danila A.S., C.V.T. Staff Veterinary Technician and Clinical Instructor Rebecca attended Southbridge High school and graduated from Becker College in 1996 with an Associate degree in Veterinary Technology. She has worked at several small animal hospitals, Tufts Veterinary Hospital, and research. Rebecca is a Staff Veterinary Technician and Clinical Instructor at the Lenfest Animal Health Center at Becker College.
	Mary Ellen Davis Ph.D, M.S. Professor of Biological Sciences Dr. Davis began her career at Becker as an adjunct then joined the faculty in 1995. A graduate of the University of Vermont in Physical Therapy she holds a Master of Science in neurophysiology from the University of Connecticut and a Ph.D in neuroscience from Brown. Dr. Davis teaches general biology, biochemistry, cell biology, and 'Brain' and 'Behavior' with students in all disciplines of the college.
	David Dion A.S., C.V.T. Staff Veterinary Technician and Clinical Instructor Dave graduated from the Veterinary Technology Program at Newbury College in 1983. Following graduation he was employed in local veterinary practices in the central Massachusetts area until 1996. Beginning in the fall of 1996 Dave became a Staff Veterinary Technician and Clinical Instructor at the Lenfest Animal Health Center at Becker College. Dave teaches in the Veterinary Technology, Veterinary Science and Pre-Vet Programs.
	Drew Howard M.S., M.A. Professor Professor Drew Howard joined the faculty of Becker College in 1978. Initially he was a full time instructor in the Veterinary Technology program and he was instrumental in the establishment of the Animal Care Program. This program was developed in response to the genuine need for college educated individuals to be actively involved in training, boarding, showing, grooming and numerous other animal related fields. Professor Howard received a B.S. in Biology at Keene State College. He earned a M.S. in Animal Science at Ohio State University. He was the Operations Manager of the very large Humane Society in Wichita, Kansas. While teaching at Becker he earned his M.A. in Biology at Anna Maria College. Professor Howard believes in the need for a sound academic foundation in all of his students. One of his primary objectives is to provide his students with the informational tools that will allow the students to go out in the "world" and apply what they have learned.
	Denise Jones Groomer and Adjunct faculty Denise Jones has been a groomer for over 20 years. She owns and operates a grooming and boarding facility in Sutton, Massachusetts. "TLC Pet Haven" offers on-site and at-home grooming, pet day care as well as long term boarding and also cares an inventory of pet supplies. Denise has been an instructor and groomer at Becker College since 1996. She brings to the classroom a wealth of on-the-job experience. Denise teaching grooming classes and kennel management in the Animal Care program.
	Jane Kelly A.S., C.V.T. Staff Veterinary Technician and Clinical Instructor Jane Kelly is a certified veterinary technician with more than 20 years experience. She specializes in Clinical Pathology (Parasitology and Hematology). Jane spent nearly 10 years at the Clinical Stat Laboratory for the Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine. She has also worked in private practice. Jane teaches Clinical Pathology to the Veterinary Technology and Pre-Vet students as well as working at the Lenfest Animal Health Center.
	Katey Kintzer B.S. Adjunct Faculty Katey has her Bachelor degree in Animal Science from the Uniniversty of New Hampshire where her special area of interest was in Equine Studies. Katey has worked throughout the veterinary profession as a behaviorist, dog obedience trainor, and as a large animal anesthesia technician at both Cornell University and Tufts University Schools of Veterinary Medicine. She also has her own consultant business in animal behavior and training. At Becker College she teaches in the Animal Care, Veterinary Science and Equine Studies programs.
	Janardan Kumar Ph.D. Associate Professor Prior to coming to Becker, Dr. Kumar helped establish a glaucoma research facility while a research assistant professor at Tufts University, Boston. In addition to this work he had participated in the discovery of the protein kinectin while a research associate at the Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C. Dr. Kumar holds a Ph.D. from the Central Drug Research Institute in Lucknow, India and an M.S. from the University of Allahabad in India, both in biochemistry. He is teaching students in all programs while a member of the Humanities and Sciences faculty at Becker.
	Frederick A. Liberatore Ph.D. Laboratory Coordinator, Staff Dr. Liberatore was an Air Force veteran before earning a BA in Biology and a Ph. D. in Protein Biochemistry. After postdoctoral studies, Fred pursued a career as an industrial biochemist for over 25 years in research, development and manufacturing projects. He was hired by Becker College in 2006 to manage the laboratories, handle ordering for the Natural Sciences Department and teach Organic Chemistry. Fred says his philosophy for teaching is to give the students an understanding of organic chemistry so that they will find it a useful tool in their own fields of study.
	Amy Mellen B.S., A.S., C.V.T. Staff Veterinary Technician, Clinical Instructor Amy Mellen joined Becker College February of 2007. She graduated Becker College with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 1999. Amy has worked in a number of different areas of veterinary medicine, involving small animal practice, research, and emergency/critical care. Amy has worked at Tufts University as a veterinary anesthetist. She is currently a veterinary technician at the Lenfest Animal Health Center, and an instructor for Clinical Experience I.
	Sera Murray D.V.M., M.S. Adjunct Faculty, Clinical Instructor Dr. Murray joined Becker College in June 2007. She started working at Charles River Laboratories Pre-Clinical Service Massachusetts in June 2006 as a clinical veterinarian. She graduated from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in Grafton, MA with a combined degree of Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and Masters of Science in Laboratory Animal Medicine. During her undergraduate carrier at the University of Massachusetts Sera worked at multiple laboratory animal institutions in the area including, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Charles River Laboratories in Wilmington, MA, and the University of Massachusetts large animal facilities.
	Ed Paro, Equestrian Coaching Staff Head Coach Coach Paro started coaching the Becker Equestrian team as assistant coach, in the Fall of 2002 with his wife Gail Hulick. Ed continued with the Becker team after Gail suddenly passed away and is currently head coach. Ed received instruction, attended several clinics from noteworthy equestrians George Morris, James Hulick, Linda Kossick Langemeier as well as attending USEF judges clinics. The Becker team has thrived under his leadership and has competed well against larger schools in the IHSA. Becker pointed out in 5th place, out of 12 colleges in IHSA Zone I Region III, for the 2005-2006 season. Two riders qualified for Regional Championships and one rider moved on to the IHSA Zone championships where she pinned fourth in Novice Flat. Ed’s dedication to the sport has been a life of teaching and training and that experience has passed on to and improved the quality of the Becker equestrian program. Paro is is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire.
	Stella Richard M.S., M.A., C.V.T. Professor Stella Richard attended Colorado Mountain College and received her Associate degree in Veterinary Technology. After working in a small animal private practice for two years, she was accepted into the Animal Medical Center of New York's Veterinary Technician Internship program. During the year long internship she specialized in emergency and critical care with a special interest in cardiology. She later attended Arizona State University and earned a Bachelor and Master's degree in Zoology. She also completed a Master of Arts in Education, and has worked at Tufts University/Vet Idexx Laboratories. Stella teaches Hematology in the Veterinary Technology program, Primatology, and Senior Seminar in the Veterinary Science Programs. She also acts as the Outreach Liaison helping students find externship sites and supervises students while in off-campus in externships.
	Kara Rudgis B.S., A.S. Kennel Supervisor Kara Rudgis is a full-time Kennel Supervisor at the Lenfest Animal Health Center. She began caring for teaching dogs and cats at Becker in 1998, after working for several years in companion animal practices in Massachusetts. She earned an Associate degree in Veterinary Technology and a Bachelor degree in Veterinary Science. While at Becker, Kara was able to complete internships at Worcester's EcoTarium and Disney World's Animal Kingdom. In addition to her position as a Kennel Supervisor, she is also an assistant instructor for Becker's Dog Obedience Course. Her experiences at Becker have given her a great appreciation for the lessons we can learn from animals.
	Kate Silberman C.V.T, B.S., M.B.A. Staff Veterinary Technician and Clinical Instructor Kate holds an Associate degree in Veterinary Technology from Becker College and a Bachelor degree and Master degree in Business Administration from Boston University. She has experience in large and small animal veterinary medicine and research. Kate teaches in the Veterinary Technology, Veterinary Science and Pre-Vet programs.
	Stacy Specht A.A.S., B.S. Becker Veterinary Clinic Office Manager Stacy S. Specht is a recent graduate of Becker College with a B.S. in Legal Studies. She holds an A.A.S. in Animal Science Technology from the State University of New York at Delhi. Stacy has worked in animal research at the University of Buffalo, Department of Physiology and she has been employed as a veterinary technician in numerous mixed and small animal practices. Stacy currently serves as the Becker College Veterinary Clinic’s office manager and receptionist.
	Melissa Supernor, C.V.T., B.Sc Melissa Supernor graduated from Becker College Veterinary Technology program in 1990, and also holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Worcester State College. Melissa spent 12 years working at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in Grafton, Massachusetts, being the only small animal internal medicine technician and she instructed veterinary students in small animal nursing and technical skills. She also works as a nutritional consultant and lecturer for the Nestle Purina company. Melissa is active member of both the Massachusetts Veterinary Technician Association and the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America. She was featured on the cover of Veterinary Technician, August 2004. In 2004, Melissa was asked to assist with the development of the Academy of Internal Medicine Veterinary Technicians (AIMVT). She is currently on small animal internal medicine examination committee with AIMVT.