Ken Noriega, MS, is helping shape the future of veterinary education at Clemson University’s Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine (PCVM), combining decades of anatomy instruction with a passion for hands-on learning and community engagement.
Trained as a comparative anatomist, Noriega has extensive experience teaching anatomy across undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. Before joining Clemson, he taught veterinary anatomy for more than 20 years at Western University, specializing in gross anatomy and embryology.
“Throughout my career, I have emphasized student-centered instruction that helps learners understand the relationships between anatomical structure, development and function,” said Noriega.
Noriega was drawn to the PCVM by the opportunity to build an educational program that prioritizes how students learn.
“I am a strong supporter of student-directed, hands-on learning,” he said. “Involving educational specialists from the beginning is absolutely essential.”
As the college continues to grow, Noriega hopes to develop two key initiatives: a diverse, creative and practical anatomical collection to enhance veterinary education and a thriving K-12 outreach program that introduces students across South Carolina to veterinary medicine.
“I envision outreach opportunities that allow young learners to explore the profession, discover its possibilities and determine whether a veterinary career is right for them,” he said.
Noriega says that building a new college has been an exciting experience, but he is especially eager for the opportunity to return to the classroom and work directly with students.
Noriega holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Pitzer College in Claremont, California, and a master’s degree in biology from California State University, San Bernardino.
