Team Members

Simon Turner, BVSC, MS, Diplomate ACVS
Founder and former Director of SRCOL. Dr. Turner's vision and expertise as a leading authority in large animal surgery made the establishment of SRCOL a reality over 20 years ago. His vast experience and knowledge of sheep as a research model advanced the SRCOL to a nationally known status and highly respected research facility. Recently named a Professor Emeritus at CSU, Dr. Turner continues to play a vital role in all studies performed at the SRCOL.

Howard B. Seim III, DVM, Diplomate ACVS
Director of SRCOL. Dr. Seim has been with the lab for over 20 years and was instrumental in establishing sheep as a model to study a variety of spinal disorders. Dr. Seim graduated with a DVM from Washington State University and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. He helps manage the daily operations of the lab and is a PI and primary sheep spine surgeon.
Dr. Seim's webpage

Jeremiah Easley, DVM
Assistant Director of the SRCOL. Dr. Easley is the newest member of the SRCOL team. A DVM graduate from VA-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, he completed a large animal surgery residency at the University of Florida. He manages the daily operations of the laboratory and is Co-PI on all research projects performed at the SRCOL.

Ross H. Palmer, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS
Principal Investigator, orthopaedic research. Dr. Palmer has been an active member of the lab since 2004 with expertise in ACL, meniscal, bone healing, and minimally invasive sacroiliac fusion models. Dr. Palmer graduated with a DVM from Kansas State University and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. He is also active in clinical orthopaedics at the CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Dr. Palmer's webpage

Eileen Hackett, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS, ACVECC
Principal investigator and active member of the lab since 2004. Dr. Hackett's expertise involves rotator cuff, Achilles tendon, stress incontinence, vaginal prolapse, fascia and other soft tissue models. She graduated with a DVM from the University of Illinois and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. She plays an active role in large animal surgery and critical care at the CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
Dr. Hackett's webpage

Dr. Dana Ruehlman, DVM
Laboratory manager and member of the SRCOL team for over 4 years. Dr. Ruehlman graduated with a DVM from Colorado State University. She has 28 years of experience in sheep husbandry and medical care and has worked in the biomedical research field for 17 years. She is the primary veterinarian of the flock and involved with pre- and postoperative management of all projects at the SRCOL.

Kimberly Lebsock, BS
Member of the SRCOL team for over 10 years. Kim graduated from CSU with Bachelors of Science degree in microbiology. Originally a student assistant in the SRCOL, Kim became a research associate and surgical technician prior to entering her current position as the flock manager overseeing day to day sheep husbandry.

Sheila Pelkey, AAS, CVT
Member of the SRCOL for over 6 years. As a certified veterinary technician, Sheila has worked with ruminants for over 12 years. Sheila specializes in ruminant anesthesia and is involved with anesthetic protocols of all studies performed at the SRCOL. She also handles the logistical operations within the surgical suite.