Neuromuscular Lab Staff

The Equine Neuromuscular Diagnostic Laboratory Staff

Stephanie Valberg, Jim Mickelson and Molly McCue

Stephanie Valberg Professor, Dept. of Veterinary Population Medicine Director, University of Minnesota Equine Center D.V.M., Ontario Veterinary College Ph.D., Swedish University of Agricultural Science Post-Doctoral, UC Davis Residency, Large Animal Medicine, UC Davis Diplomate, Large Animal Internal Medicine
James Mickelson Professor, Dept of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences B.S., University of Wisconsin Madison M.S., University of Wisconsin Madison Ph.D., University of Wisconsin Madison Post-Doctoral, University of Minnesota
Molly McCue Assistant Professor, Dept. of Veterinary Population Medicine D.V.M., Kansas State University M.S. Kansas State University Ph.D., University of Minnesota Post-Doctoral, University of Minnesota Internship, University of Georgia Residency, Large Animal Medicine, Kansas State University Diplomate, Large Animal Internal Medicine
Michelle Lucio Head technician Neuromuscular Diagnostic Laboratory Currently Masters student BA St. Olaf College

The primary goal of the research performed by the Neuromuscular Diagnostic Laboratory is to identify the basis for Neuromuscular diseases in horses, identify new tools for diagnosing these conditions and find mechanisms to treat diseases. This has involved research into the biochemical, physiologic and molecular bases of disorders in horses and nutrition and exercise physiology as a means to treat various conditions. A strong focus of the laboratory is on genetic research and the development of genetic maps and tools that allow equine genetic mutations to be identified and tests to be developed. Examples of diseases identified by our laboratory include glycogen branching enzyme deficiency (GBED), polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM), recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER) and Immune-mediated myopathies. Work has been funded by the University of Minnesota Equine Center, the National Institutes of Health, the US Department of Agriculture, American Quarter Horse Foundation, Morris Animal Foundation, Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation, Bernice Barbour Foundation and Dolly Green Equine Research Foundation.

Much of our current knowledge about muscle disorders is due to the hard work of current and former graduate students.

Lisa Borgia, B.Sc., MS, Ph.D. Candidate

Lisa has a MS and BS in biology as well as a BS in Communication. She is working with Dr. Valberg and Dr. McCue on dietary management of PSSM horses.

Erin Annandale, B.Sc., M.S.

Erin has returned to work as a laboratory technician in British Columbia, Canada.

Flavio de la Corte, DVM, Ph.D.

Currently working at the veterinary college at Santa Maria, Brazil.

Tricia Dranchak, B.S., Ph.D. Candidate 

Trish is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Southern California

Carrie Finno, B.Sc., DVM

Carrie is currently a resident at University of California-Davis.

Anna Firshman, BVSc., MRCVS, Ph.D.

Anna is currently an assisstant professor at the University of Minnesota

Luanne Hunt, B.Sc., BVM&S, MRCVS

Luanne is currently a resident in equine surgery in Dublin Ireland

Heather Kaese, B.A., DVM 

Heather is currently an ophthalmologist in Kansas City

Linnea Lenz, DVM, Ph.D. 

Linnea is currently at Medtronics in Minneapolis, MN

Jennifer MacLeay, DVM, Ph. D.

Jennifer is currently an assistant professor at Colorado State University.

Erica McKenzie, DVM, Ph.D. 

Erica is currently an assisstant professor at Oregon State University.

William Ribero, DVM

William is currently at the University of Minnesota.

Tara Ward, B.S., DVM, Ph.D.

Currently employed at Medtronic in Minneapolis, MN.