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
OUR LABORATORY TEAM
OUR EQUINE MEDICINE TEAM
Carolyn Craik
HNC Medical Microbiology
Principal Biomedical Scientist
Microbiology and Cytology
Areas of Expertise:
Carolyn started her career in an NHS Microbiology laboratory in Scotland and gained an HNC in Medical Microbiology from Robert Gordon University. She then progressed to Senior Biomedical Scientists in Microbiology. She moved down south over 20 years ago and joined us to develop the microbiology area of the lab, including gaining us relevant accreditation for bacteriological assays.
Coralie Wright
BSc (Hons)
Senior Biomedical Scientist
Biochemistry and Haematology
Areas of Expertise:
Coralie graduated from Hartpury University with a First Class degree in Bioveterinary Science and began her career as a veterinary lab technician at Rowe Veterinary Hospital in Bristol, where she focused heavily on small animal diagnostics. She started working at Donnington Grove in January 2020 of this year where she continues to develop her skills in equine diagnostics, PCR and Biochemistry
Darcy Clark
BSc (Hons) Equine Science
Biomedical Scientist
Serology, qPCR, Parasitology
Areas of Expertise:
Darcy gained her qualifications at Hartpury University. She oversees the molecular diagnostics area that provides a service for rapidly analysing samples for presence of specific parasites, bacteria and viruses.
Ellen Hyde
BSc. (Hons.)
Biomedical Scientist
qPCR, Serology, Parasitology
Areas of Expertise:
Natasha Knape
HNC Applied Biology
Administrator/Biomedical Scientist
Microbiology and Endocrinology
Areas of Expertise:
Natasha gained an HNC in Applied Biology from Worcester. Before joining us, she worked in an equine hospital laboratory at Lambourn. Natasha oversees the sample tracking and data management processes, sample handling, and undertakes a variety of laboratory techniques in the areas of microbiology and hormone analysis.
Neil Dear
BSc. (Hons.) PhD Dip Ed
Director of Laboratory Operations
qPCR, Reproductive Biology and Genetics
Areas of Expertise:
Neil did his undergraduate studies at the universities of Adelaide and Oxford, and postgraduate studies at the universities of Sydney and Sheffield. Following a postdoctoral position at the MRC Laboratory in Cambridge, he undertook various research positions in Germany, Ausytralia, Italy and the UK, including roles as a Professor of Disease Genetics at the universities of Sheffield and Leeds.
Sarah Cairney
HNC
Senior Biomedical Scientist
Microbiology and Haematology
Areas of Expertise:
Sarah attended Leeds polytechnic and gained an HNC in Medical Microbiology. She has worked in the NHS in microbiology at Queen Mary’s Hospital Roehampton and Scarborough Hospital, and in commercial veterinary laboratory diagnostics. She has worked in three different countries and has provided us with diagnostic expertise for over 20 years.
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.
Rachel Gough
MA (Oxon) MA (Cantab) VetMB MRCVS
Resident in Equine Internal Medicine
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.
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.