Meet our team here at Innovative Vet Path! We are an organization of passionate, board-certified individuals, excited and ready to interpret specimens and provide accurate, timely guidance.
Karen Trainor, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVP
Board Certified Specialist in Veterinary Pathology
Dr. Trainor is originally from New York and graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006 before completing a small animal rotating medical and surgical internship at Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Services in Rochester, NY. She pursued a residency in anatomic pathology and a postdoctoral fellowship in cardiovascular pathology at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. Dr. Trainor is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathology and a member of the International Society of Veterinary Dermatopathology, American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology, and American Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Trainor went on to work as a research assistant professor in the cardiovascular and translational pathology lab at Texas A&M. She obtained additional training and experience in dermatopathology while working as a diagnostic pathologist at Abaxis Veterinary Reference Lab in the Kansas City area. Her other special interests include infectious diseases and zoo and wildlife pathology. Dr. Trainor lives in the Kansas City area with her husband, daughter, and their adorable cat Toby.
Brian Palmeiro, VMD, Diplomate ACVD
Board Certified Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology
Dr. Brian Palmeiro was born in Long Island, NY and obtained a Bachelor of Science from Rutgers University. He attended veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania and completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery, as well as a residency in dermatology and allergy at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. His interests include allergic skin disease, ear disease, immune mediated, and autoimmune skin disease. Dr. Palmeiro is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology and a member of the American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology, and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Prior to starting Lehigh Valley Veterinary Dermatology in 2010, Dr. Palmeiro practiced in the Philadelphia area, NJ and Delaware. He still sees cases part time at Hope Veterinary Specialists in Malvern, PA. Dr. Palmeiro lectures at the University of Pennsylvania to veterinary students and serves as a mentor in the dermatology residency program. Dr. Palmeiro lives in Allentown with his wife, son, daughter, 3 dogs, and numerous fish.
Dr. Carine Laporte VMD, Diplomate ACVD
Dr. Carine Laporte is originally from New York and obtained both her Bachelor of Arts and Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania. She then completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery from Texas A&M University before subsequently completing a private practice dermatology residency. Dr. Laporte is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology and a member of the American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology and the American Veterinary Medical Association. She has a passion for teaching dermatology and currently serves as a mentor for a dermatology internship and residency program. Her areas of special interest include cutaneous oncology, and the use of technology in the diagnosis and management of dermatologic diseases. Dr. Laporte lives in Utah with her husband, two daughters, and menagerie of dogs, cats, fish, tortoises, chickens, and quail.
David Shearer BVetMed PhD CertSAD PGCert(VetEd) FHEA CBiol FRSB DipRCPath MRCVS
David Shearer qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 1984 where he remained as medicine intern until 1985 during which time he developed an interest in dermatology. After nearly three years in general practice he worked and studied at The University of Bristol Vet School for 10 years initially as a Clinical dermatologist, then Welcome Research scholar and for five years as Lecturer in Veterinary Pathology. He obtained a PhD on the immunology and microbiology of canine pyoderma in 1995. David has been a RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Dermatology. David is a diplomate of the Royal College of Pathologists. David has worked as both a referral clinical dermatologist (1988-2018) and a diagnostic histopathologist (1992-) for 30 years. He currently works as an anatomic pathologist and dermatopathologist in the UK.
David has coauthored a textbook on veterinary ectoparasites, written papers on immunology and pathology, and has spoken globally about dermatology, immunology and pathology. David was part of the management board of The International Society of Veterinary Dermatopathology (ISVD) for 16 years. David was President of ISVD from 2014-2018.
Dr. Charlie Johnson DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVP
Dr. Johnson obtained his veterinary degree from the University of Minnesota in 2003. Following graduation, he was in a mixed animal practice then returned to school at Iowa State University to obtain a PhD in veterinary pathology and complete an anatomic pathology residency. After his pathology training, he has worked as a diagnostic pathologist and has been involved in research with the USDA and University of Minnesota and has authored or co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications. Although Dr. Johnson enjoys all aspects of diagnostic pathology, he has a specific interest in dermatopathology.
In addition to his duties a diagnostic pathologist for Innovative Vet Path, he currently works as a small animal practitioner where he sees a diverse caseload. He enjoys the opportunity to interact with client veterinarians about their cases and discuss how what is seen clinically correlates with the lesions that are observed microscopically.
Newton Trainor, Feline Wellness Specialist and Gravitational Pull Field Expert
An accomplished physicist and wellness guru, Newton Trainor is a welcome addition to the Innovative Vet Path family. With a passion for research, he can often be found conducting gravity-related experiments, and has been responsible for many discoveries involving items knocked off of desks, countertops, and other raised surfaces. His efforts in this area of study have earned him a knighthood, which is why you will often hear him referred to as “Sir Newton,” by his closest friends.
Nutrition and health are always Newton’s top priority, which is why he took great pains to attain certification from the Mindfulness of Eating Organic and Well (MEOW) Institute. He is diligent in his evening yoga practice, and while not fully vegetarian, has developed an abiding love of beans.
When he is not engaged in research or meditation, you will likely find him playing with a variety of toddler toys, although he might not admit that fact, if asked.