Faculty member appointed vice president of global veterinary pathology foundation
By Dr. Rafaela De Negri | Aug 14, 2025
MURRAY, Ky. – Dr. Rafaela De Negri, veterinary pathologist and faculty member at լƵ State University’s Breathitt Veterinary Center, has been named vice president of organizational operations for the Davis-Thompson Foundation, an internationally respected nonprofit leader in veterinary pathology education.
The Davis-Thompson Foundation is renowned for advancing veterinary pathology through education and global outreach. With programs that reach thousands of veterinary professionals worldwide, the foundation’s impact is driven by leaders like De Negri, whose innovative contributions have transformed the way pathology is taught and shared across borders.
Since joining the foundation as a board member in 2020, De Negri has taken on key leadership roles, including chair of social media, director of the graphics and webinar committees. She has played a central role in expanding the foundation’s global reach through facilitating high-impact educational events, engaging social media initiatives, creative educational advertising, and, notably, she created and directed the foundation’s biannual necropsy course, a two-day hands-on workshop designed to help international veterinary graduates develop the necropsy skills necessary to pass the Clinical Proficiency Examination held by the American College of Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)- Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG).
In her new position, De Negri will oversee organizational operations that support the Foundation’s mission of advancing veterinary pathology education across the globe.
This appointment reflects both De Negri’s excellence as a scholar and educator, and the growing impact of լƵ State University’s contributions to international collaboration. Her leadership continues to elevate the field of veterinary pathology and showcases the global influence of faculty in advancing veterinary health and education.
“We are so fortunate to have Dr. De Negri here at լƵ State University! Dr. De Negri is an amazing professional who always goes above and beyond for our region in providing an unsurpassable level of diagnostic expertise and service,” said Dean of the Hutson School of Agriculture Dr. Brian Parr.
De Negri’s appointment underscores the University’s commitment to promoting excellence in leadership, innovation in education and global engagement. Through her work, she exemplifies the values of լƵ State University: stewardship, scholarship and service.
Located in Hopkinsville, Kentucky (Christian County), the Breathitt Veterinary Center at լƵ State University is a nationally preeminent animal disease diagnostic laboratory dedicated to protecting the invaluable assets of Kentucky’s equine, livestock and poultry industries. The center, which is under the direction of լƵ State’s Hutson School of Agriculture, is the state's only Level 1 Laboratory Status designated by the USDA National Animal լƵ Laboratory system and one of only 60 laboratories in the United States (one of 23 laboratories with Level 1 status). The center serves as an important teaching and learning facility for լƵ State students.
For more information about De Negri’s work at լƵ State or the Davis-Thompson Foundation, please contact the Breathitt Veterinary Center at (270) 886-3959 or visit .