Molecular biologist joins VA. Tech equine center

Leesburg, Va. - 9/21/07 - Dr. Jennifer G. Barrett joined Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center as an assistant professor of equine surgery.

A molecular biologist, she will use the center's newly constructed molecular research lab and lead investigations into tendon and ligament healing and repair.

Barrett received her veterinary medicine education from Cornell University, where she graduated with a DVM degree. She later earned a PhD in molecular biology from Yale University.

"Dr. Barrett is an expert in the area of tissue regeneration--specifically involving tendons, ligaments and cartilage--and will conduct research in that area," says Dr. Nat White, Jean Ellen Shehan professor and director of the Virginia Tech facility. "We are pleased with the experience and enthusiasm she brings to this new initiative and look forward to the discoveries that we can bring back to the hospital for direct application to these problems."

Before joining Virginia Tech, Barrett was a resident in equine surgery at the University of Illinois' Veterinary Teaching Hospital, and previously held a postdoctoral research position in the University of Wisconsin's Comparative Orthopaedics Research Laboratory. She also completed an internship in equine medicine and surgery at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky.

"I'm excited about this position because it gives me an opportunity to perform research and practice in an area where there is a high population of performance horses," Barrett says. "It is like bringing the lab right to the patients. I will be using what is currently known in molecular biology to develop tissue-engineering techniques to help treat problems that are important to both horses and to people, including tendon injuries and osetoarthritis."