MEET OUR TEAMS
Our multi-disciplinary team of laboratory scientists cover areas as diverse as haematology, clinical chemistry, endocrinology, microbiology, and genetics.
Our Equine Medicine Team includes American and European board-certified specialists and RCVS certificate holders and advanced practitioners
Dr Karen Ford
PhD
Head of Laboratory Services
Clinical chemistry and Specimen management
Areas of Expertise:
After completing her PhD, Karen started out in the NHS as a Clinical Biochemist at the Manchester Royal Infirmary. She then joined Bayer Healthcare, now Siemens Healthineers, as a Senior Support Specialist for the Advia Chemistry family of instruments. From there she moved to Quest Diagnostics, a Global clinical trials business now part of Q2 Solutions, as a Senior Validation Scientist.
Karen joined Donnington Grove from Becton Dickinson (BD) where she spent ten years as European Laboratory & Medical Affairs Manager leading the European Clinical and Microbiology laboratories supporting the Vacutainer® product portfolio. She has extensive experience in laboratory instrumentation and specimen management.
Carolyn Craik
HNC Medical Microbiology
Senior Biomedical Scientist
Microbiology and Cytology
Areas of Expertise:
Carolyn began her career in the Biochemistry Dept of an NHS hospital in Scotland before advancing to Senior Biomedical Scientist in Microbiology where she served for thirteen years. On moving south over twenty-five years ago she joined Donnington Grove Veterinary Laboratory to develop the Microbiology Department, quickly gaining the appropriate accreditation for the equine stud microbiology.
She has extensive experience and knowledge in all aspects of the Laboratory, with particular expertise in Microbiology.
Coralie Wright
BSc (Hons)
Senior Laboratory Technician
Biochemistry and Haematology
Areas of Expertise:
Coralie graduated from Hartpury University with a First Class degree in Bioveterinary Science. She began her career as a Veterinary Lab Technician at Rowe Veterinary Hospital in Bristol, where she focused heavily on small animal diagnostics. She joined Donnington Grove in January 2019 and has since developed her laboratory experience of both equine and small animal sample analysis. Coralie oversees the haematology, biochemistry and cytology departments.
Darcy Clark
BSc (Hons) Equine Science
Laboratory Technician
Serology, qPCR, Parasitology
Areas of Expertise:
After graduating from Hartpury University with a First Class degree in Equine Science, Darcy joined the team at Donnington Grove Veterinary Laboratory. Combining personal horse ownership and competition experience with her areas of study in veterinary science, equine nutrition and physiology, Darcy has gained a wealth of industry knowledge.
She leads our PCR department and oversees the maintenance and results from our endocrinology instrument. Darcy also has experience in haematology, serology, faecal parasitology and tracheal wash cytology.
Helen Clarke
Laboratory Technician
Parasitology and Urinalysis.
Areas of Expertise:
Helen began working life as a forensic scientist in the Home Office Forensic Science Service. After graduating with a degree in chemistry and statistics through the Open University, she began to report cases submitted by police forces, wrote statements describing and interpreting case results and delivered expert evidence in both Magistrates and Crown Courts, all over the country. Helen was a Lead Investigator with the IOPC and conducted many interviews with witnesses and police personnel, in addition to attending scenes concerning serious or fatal injuries where there had been police involvement.
After forty years as a forensic scientist Helen was looking for new challenges and joined the laboratory team at Donnington Grove at the beginning of 2023.
Natasha Knape
HNC Applied Biology
Laboratory Technician/Laboratory Administrator
Microbiology and Endocrinology
Areas of Expertise:
Natasha joined DGVG in 2016 having previously worked in a veterinary practice laboratory for 22 years. She gained an HNC in Applied Biology in 2013.
Natasha oversees the sample tracking and data management processes, sample handling and processing, and undertakes a variety of laboratory techniques.
Our Laboratory Scientists
Our Equine Internal Medicine Team
Kate McGovern
BVetMed CertEM(Int.Med) MS DACVIM DipECEIM MRCVS
American, European and RCVS Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine
Kate graduated from the Royal Vet College, London in 2005, before joining Donnington Grove in 2006 as a hospital intern, staying for 2 1/2 years. Kate then completed a 3 year residency training program in Illinois, USA in equine internal medicine achieving American board certification as a specialist in Large Animal Internal Medicine, as well as a Masters degree. She has publications in multiple peer reviewed journals and has presented at several international conferences. In 2013 she became a European Specialist in equine internal medicine and an RCVS specialist in 2014. Kate rejoined the practice in February 2013 and leads the internal medicine service. Her professional interests include gastrointestinal disease, critical care and neonatology. She also has a major interest in colic surgery and post-operative colic care. Her interests outside of work include dog walking, skiing and cooking.
Rose Tallon
VetMB BA MVetMed DipACVIM MRCVS
American, European and RCVS Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine
Rose graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2014 before completing a hospital internship at Donnington Grove. She then spent some time in first opinion equine practice before beginning a residency in Large Animal Internal Medicine at the Royal Veterinary College in London, during which time she also completed a Masters degree. Rose recently passed her board examinations to become a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) and returned to Donnington Grove shortly after. Rose enjoys all aspects of internal medicine.
Adam Redpath
BVMS DipECEIM MRCVS
European and RCVS Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine
Adam graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2016 before completing a hospital internship at Oakham Veterinary Hospital. Following this he completed a residency in Equine Internal Medicine at the University of Nottingham/Oakham Veterinary Hospital, passing his board examinations in 2021 to become a diplomate of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine. Adam remained at the University of Nottingham as a Clinical Assistant Professor in Equine Medicine based in one of the clinical associated practices, whilst completing a masters degree. Adam joined the medicine team at Donnington Grove in July 2023. Adam enjoys all aspects of internal medicine with particular interests in cardiology and critical care. In his spare time, Adam enjoys competing in crossfit and triathlon events.
Rachel Gough
MA (Oxon) MA (Cantab) VetMB MRCVS
Equine Internal Medicine Clinician
Rachel studied physiological sciences at Oxford University prior to veterinary at Cambridge. She initially joined Donnington Grove as a house vet and on completion of this 18-month position, stayed on as part of the stud team for a breeding season. A stint in ambulatory sports’ horse practice preceded her return to Donnington Grove in January 2020. Her main interests are foal medicine and critical care. Rachel is also an FEI treating vet being passionate about three-day eventing. Rachel previously competed at Badminton and Burghley 5*s.
Natalia Watrobska
BVSc MRCVS
Resident in Equine Internal Medicine
Natalia graduated from the University of Liverpool in July 2020. She completed a 2 year hospital based internship at Donnington Grove and has worked in an ambulatory position in Kent. Natalia worked at Fethard Equine Hospital in Ireland as a medicine fellow for the past 6 months. Natalia has now started back at Donnington Grove in the hospital to undertake a residency in equine internal medicine, working towards board certification. She has undertaken research in the field of post-operative colic care. Natalia has a strong interest in neonatal foal care.