Karyn Malinowski, Ph. D.

Director, Professor of Animal Sciences

Karyn was appointed director in July 2001. Dr. Malinowski has been a faculty member at Cook College (now known as the School of Environmental & Biological Sciences) since 1978. Her research and extension programs concentrate on improving the well-being and quality of life of the equine athlete while ensuring the vitality and viability of the equine industry, both statewide and nationally.

Message From The Director

Kenneth McKeever, Ph.D., FACSM, FAPS

Associate Director of Research, Professor of Animal Sciences

Kenneth joined the Faculty in the Department of Animal Sciences at Rutgers University as an Associate Professor in 1995 and proceeded to build, develop, and coordinated one of the most active Equine Exercise Physiology laboratories in the country. Dr. McKeever earned the rank of Full Professor in 2009 and currently serves as Associate Director of Research for the Equine Science Center.

Carey Williams, Ph.D.

Associate Director of Outreach, Associate Professor Animal Sciences

Carey joined Rutgers University in July 2003 as its equine Extension Specialist, and the Associate Director of Outreach for the Equine Science Center taking an active role in teaching, conducting research, and working with the equine and academic communities to ensure the viability of the horse industry in New Jersey.

Taylor Ross, Ph.D.

Associate Director of Education, Associate Professor Animal Sciences

Taylor joined Rutgers University as a Teaching Instructor in September 2022. Her Ph.D. focused on Animal Science Education, and she has a background in 4-H and youth education. Her role will include a 100% teaching appointment, with several undergraduate courses including Animal Welfare, Animal Assisted Therapies, and Horse Management. She also serves as an undergraduate advisor, as well as an advisor to multiple student groups and clubs.

Kyle Hartmann

Public Relations Specialist

Kyle joined the Rutgers Equine Science Center in 2014. Previously working for the university in another capacity, Mr. Hartmann was excited to bring his experience to this new opportunity. Since his start, the Center has seen multiple redesigns and changes on media projects and promotional items.

Rutgers Affiliated Faculty & Staff

Carol A. Bagnell, Ph.D.

Professor

Department of Animal Sciences

William J. Bamka

Agricultural Resource Management Agent

Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Burlington County

Clint Burgher

Director

NJAES Animal Care Program

Donna Fennell, Ph.D.

Professor

Department of Environmental Sciences

Thomas Gianfagna, Ph.D.

Professor

Department of Plant Biology and Pathology

Daniel Giménez, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Department of Environmental Sciences

Paul Gottlieb, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics

George C. Hamilton, Ph.D.

Professor

Department of Entomology

Larry S. Katz, Ph.D.

Professor

Department of Animal Sciences

Stephen J. Komar

Agricultural Resource Management Agent

Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Sussex County

Uta Krogmann, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Department of Environmental Sciences

David Lee

Agricultural Resource Management Agent

Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Salem County

William Meyer, Ph.D.

Professor

Department of  Plant Biology and Pathology

Robert C. Mickel

Agricultural Resource Management Agent

Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Hunterdon County

James Murphy, Ph.D.

Professor

Department of Plant Biology and Pathology

Stephanie Murphy, Ph.D.

Director

Soil Testing Laboratory

Christopher C. Obropta, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Department of Environmental Sciences

Janet Onishi, Ph.D.

Research Scientist

Department of Nutritional Sciences

Brian Schilling, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics

William J. Sciarappa, Ph.D.

Agricultural Resource Management Agent

Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Monmouth County

Michael V.K. Sukhdeo, Ph.D.

Professor

Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resource

Kevin Sullivan

Researcher

Office of Research Analytics

Michael L. Westendorf, Ph.D.

Professor

Department of Animal Sciences

Collaborators from other Universities & Industries

Amy Biddle

Assistant Professor

Department of Animal and Food Sciences

Laura Kenny

Extension Educator, Equine

Penn State Extension, Montgomery County

Michael Fugaro, VMD, dACVS

Owner

Mountain Pointe Equine Veterinary Services

David Horohov, Ph.D.

Chair and Director

Gluck Equine Research Center and Department of Veterinary Science University of Kentucky

Charles Kearns, Ph.D.

Director, Medical Affairs

theheart.org and Medscape Education

Robert Lehnhard

Professor, Director

Laboratory of Work Physiology College of Education, University of Maine

Roger Moon

Professor

University of Minnesota

Rebecca Splan, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Equine Science & Management

Delaware Valley University

Peter Ryan, Ph.D.

Professor, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs

Mississippi State University

Carolyn Stull, Ph.D.

Animal Welfare Cooperative Extension Specialist

University of California Davis

Manoel Tamassia, DVM, Ph.D., dACT

Director Division of Animal Health

New Jersey Dept of Agriculture

RUBEA Advisory Board

In 1992, a committee of stakeholders representing various equine interests formed the Equine Advisory Committee to support the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, formally known as Cook College.  The committee secured from the New Jersey Legislature an allocation of $1.2 million in uncollected pari-mutuel winnings for the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station – of which $300,000 was used to support equine research and the facilities and operations of the Equine Science Center.  Subsequently, $900,000 in funding to the Experiment Station for Strategic Initiatives was made a line item in the state budget.

The Equine Advisory Committee evolved into a more formal advisory group, the Rutgers University Board for Equine Advancement (RUBEA).  Over time the goals and composition of the board have been modified as required.

RUBEA’s mission is to assist the Rutgers Equine Science Center in its decisions regarding its equine teaching, research, and outreach; and to promote and support these activities through fund-raising and advocacy efforts. RUBEA’s vision is to be recognized as the advisory, advocacy, and fund-raising organization for the Rutgers Equine Science Center, meeting the financial needs for its sustenance and growth.

Membership on the board, once drawn from a wide spectrum of equine organizations in the state, was refined to emphasize individuals and organizations who impact the horse industry, not only in New Jersey but nationally and internationally, and have the desire and wherewithal to assist the Equine Science Center in meeting its fund-raising goals.  RUBEA hopes this expanded function will make it as effective as possible in promoting the stature and progress of the Equine Science Center and assuring its continued vitality.

Officers

Amy Butewicz, Co-Chair

Keller Williams Reality

Warren Zimmerman, Co-Chair

Past Chair & CEO, State Theatre New Jersey

Sandra Denarski, Chair Emeritus

Vice President, Johnson & Johnson Finance Corporation, ret.

Taylor Palmer Jr., Chair Emeritus

Owner and Proprietor, Boxwood Farm

Ryck Suydam, Chair Emeritus

Suydam Farms

President, New Jersey Farm Bureau

Members at Large

Frank Burrows

Director of Business Development, Public Affairs & Government Relations; Wedgewood Pharmacy

Christopher Codey

Associate, Jomar Agency LLC.

Michael Fugaro, VMD, dACVS

Owner, Mountain Pointe Equine Veterinary Services

Beth Gates

Past Executive Director, New Jersey Supply Authority

John Goedecke

Mortgage Loan Officer, U.S. Bank

Sam Landy

President, UMH Properties, Inc.

Owner, Congress Hill Farm

Megan Lapp

Equine Specialist, Zoetis Inc.

Karyn Malinowski, Ph.D.

Founding Director, Equine Science Center

Max Spann, Jr.

President and Chief Executive Officer, Max Spann Real Estate & Auction Company

Jennifer Weinert

Ph.D. Student, Graduate School - New Brunswick