CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Being acknowledged by your peers for outstanding work is a tremendous honor, but to be singled out by the college you graduated from as one of the most promising veterinarians working with animals of all kinds in America is something Dr. Krista Keller won’t soon forget.

Keller, who grew up in Biddeford and attended schools here, has been honored by the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine with the Rising Star Award during its commencement ceremony earlier this month. She is currently serving as an assistant professor of zoological medicine at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The award pays tribute to a Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine graduate who has experienced an accelerated career progression with a nationally recognized organization and exhibited excellence in his or her veterinary medical practices.

As the inaugural recipient of this honor, Keller said that she is humbled by the recognition.

“I am extremely proud to be a ‘Rossie’ and a Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine graduate and honored to be bestowed with the inaugural Rising Star Award.” Keller said.

According to Keller, she discovered in veterinary school that her passion for veterinary medicine includes working with all species of animals.

She’s worked at the University of Illinois since 2017 and her research focuses on investigating prognostic indicators in zoological species, developing diagnostics and improving therapeutic protocols for an often cutaneous fungal infection of companion lizards.

“Dr. Keller was the first RUSVM graduate to become board certified in zoological medicine,” said James Errico, assistant director for Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations of Ross University. “In the short time since her graduation, she has established herself as a recognized clinician for avian and exotics species, a well-known conference speaker and now on her way to a successful academic career.”

Keller graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. In 2014, she became the first RUSVM graduate to achieve board certification in the American College of Zoological Medicine.

Following graduation, Keller completed an internship in Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery at Louisiana State University in 2011 and the Zoological Companion Animal Residency at UC Davis in 2014. She also studied at the University of New England from 2000 to 2003.

Before moving to Illinois, she established an avian and exotics exclusive veterinary practice in Denver, Colorado.

Keller said that she hopes to inspire future veterinarians to practice high quality medicine on all species and attributes a great portion of her success to the training and mentorship that she received wile attending the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine.

— Executive Editor Ed Pierce can be reached at 282-1535 ext. 326 or by email at editor@journaltribune.com