Principal investigators
Dr. Kelly Hall (Wilke), D.V.M., M.S., DACVECC
Professor of clinical sciences
Dr. Kelly Hall is a board-certified veterinary emergency and critical care specialist and professor at Colorado State University. Her research focuses on leveraging comparative and translational research to improve trauma patient outcomes in pets and people.
She is the executive director of the Veterinary Committee on Trauma (VetCOT), which oversees the largest veterinary trauma registry, enabling multicenter investigations into injury epidemiology, resuscitation strategies, and trauma-induced coagulopathy. Her work spans biomarker discovery, physiologic monitoring, and interventional trials, complemented by educational initiatives such as the Veterinary Advanced Trauma Life Support (VetATLS) program.
Dr. Hall earned her D.V.M. and M.S. in clinical research from the University of Minnesota and completed her residency in emergency and critical Care there.
Dr. Kristin Zersen, D.V.M., M.S., DACVECC
Associate professor of clinical sciences
Dr. Kristin Zersen is a board-certified veterinary emergency and critical care specialist and associate professor at Colorado State University. She earned her D.V.M. from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
She completed her residency at Colorado State University, where she also earned her M.S. in toxicology. As part of the VECCTTR lab, Dr. Zersen enjoys participating in all aspects of research, taking ideas from benchtop to bedside on the clinic floor. She leads pre-clinical animal model studies as well as clinical trials. She also enjoys introducing students and residents to research, guiding them through study design, implementation, and manuscript preparation. She is committed to contributing to the development of the next generation of researchers in veterinary medicine.
Dr. Charlie Talbot, B.V.Sc., M.S., MANZCVS, DACVECC
Postdoctoral fellow
Dr. Charles Talbot is a board-certified veterinary emergency and critical care specialist and clinician-scientist within the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, Trauma, and Translational Research Laboratory at Colorado State University. He is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care and a member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists.
His research expertise focuses on comparative and translational models of trauma and hemorrhagic shock, with particular emphasis on resuscitation strategies, endothelial dysfunction, blood product development, and biosensor-based physiologic monitoring in companion animals.
Dr. Talbot earned his veterinary degree from James Cook University and completed advanced clinical training and research in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. He is currently completing his Ph.D. within the Center for Companion Animal Studies.
Dr. Claire Tucker, DVM, MPH, MS, DACVECC
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Claire Tucker is a board-certified veterinary emergency and critical care specialist and clinician-scientist within the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, Trauma, and Translational Research Laboratory at Colorado State University.
Her research interests included comparative and translational models of trauma and hemorrhagic shock, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, traumatic brain injury, endothelial dysfunction, translational -omics, pre-hospital resuscitation, One Health, and interprofessional education.
Dr. Tucker earned her veterinary degree from Colorado State University and completed a rotating internship at VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital. She finished her Emergency and Critical Care residency in 2025. She is currently a One Health/One Medicine fellow and is completing her Ph.D. within the Clinical Sciences Department.