2018 News Releases
College of Veterinary Medicine presents annual teaching awards
Four faculty members have been recognized for preclinical teaching excellence in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University.
Ryane Englar, Butch KuKanich, Emily Klocke and Justin Thomason were each named as the respective top teachers for the first, second and third years of instruction, as voted on by each respective class of students for their teaching efforts in the 2017-2018 school year.
College of Veterinary Medicine appoints faculty for four professorships
A quartet of faculty members in the College of Veterinary Medicine has recently been chosen as the new holders of professorships, each dedicated to promoting different academic areas within the college.
Veterinary students bring home equine and livestock scholarships
Three Kansas State University veterinary students, Jessie Schulteis, Braxton Butler, and Kate Rigby recently received scholarships from animal health-related organizations.
Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory cautions about chronic wasting disease in Kansas
The Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Kansas State University is reporting a gradual uptick in the number of positive cases of chronic wasting disease in Kansas, with northwestern counties being the worst affected.
The fatal disease is found in deer and elk. According to the diagnostic laboratory, as of Dec. 3, 184 positive cases of the disease have been identified in the state since 2009. The uptick is based on evaluation of the number of cases submitted to the lab over the years.
Wildcats care about animal welfare
On Nov. 16, students from Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine traveled to Colorado State University to compete in the annual Intercollegiate Animal Welfare Assessment Contest.
Under the guidance of Abbie Viscardi, research assistant professor of anatomy and physiology, students took part in educational seminars, on-site assessments, networking events, computerized scenarios, oral presentations of assessments and an awards reception.
Provost names search committee for College of Veterinary Medicine dean
Chuck Taber, provost and executive vice president, has appointed the search committee to lead a national search for the university's next dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Chairing this committee will be John Buckwalter, dean of the College of Human Ecology. An external search firm to be announced in the next several weeks will support the search. The anticipated start date of the new dean is July 1, 2019.
Veterinary faculty cultivate research collaborations and information sharing in Paraguay and Argentina
Veterinary experts at Kansas State University recently participated in projects in Paraguay and Argentina to initiate a three-way collaboration with two other universities toward the creation of a tick-borne disease research program; to present research updates at an international conference; and to promote a working relationship with a governmental agency in Paraguay.
College of Veterinary Medicine selects 2018 class of Early Admission Scholars
A group of 31 Kansas State University undergraduate students will have a special opportunity to fulfill their dreams of becoming veterinarians. The College of Veterinary Medicine recognized these students for being selected in its Early Admission Program at an afternoon ceremony Oct. 26 in Trotter Hall.
Established in 1999, the Early Admission Scholars program has recruited the best and brightest undergraduate students who are interested in studying veterinary medicine. Upon acceptance in the program, students must complete all of their science prerequisite courses at Kansas State University to be guaranteed admission into the College of Veterinary Medicine.
College of Veterinary Medicine recognizes 27 staff with title of veterinary nurse
The College of Veterinary Medicine and Human Capital Services at Kansas State University have approved a formal job title change from veterinary technician to veterinary nurse effective throughout the college as of Oct. 21.
In 2016, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America focused their efforts on researching and pursuing legislation in all 50 states to seek unification under the title of registered veterinary nurse.
College of Veterinary Medicine announces new class of scholars for Veterinary Training Program for Rural Kansas
Five first-year students in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University have been chosen for the largest veterinary scholarship program offered by the state of Kansas: the Veterinary Training Program for Rural Kansas.
This year's recipients are Natasha Vangundy, Americus; William Patterson, Holton; Whitney Sloan, Lebo; Colton Hull, Stockton; and Shaylee Flax, WaKeeney.
National bovine association presents service award to Dan Thomson
Kansas State University's Dan Thomson was presented with the 2018 AABP-Zoetis Distinguished Service Award at the 51st annual conference of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners conference in Phoenix, AZ.
Thomson has been an active American Association of Bovine Practitioners member for 20 years. Throughout his lifetime in veterinary medicine, he has served on the association's animal welfare committee, the distance education committee and more.
Veterinary researchers and Anivive license antiviral drug for fatal cat disease
A new collaboration at Kansas State University is promoting the commercial development of GC376, an antiviral compound for feline infectious peritonitis, or FIP, which previously has had no effective treatment or cure.
Yunjeong Kim and Kyeong-Ok "KC" Chang, virologists in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kanas State University, and William Groutas, a medicinal chemist at Wichita State University, have been collaborating since 2006 on the development of antiviral drugs for important human and animal viruses.
Search update for College of Veterinary Medicine dean
In June, it was announced that the national search for the next dean of College of Veterinary Medicine would remain open and that John Buckwalter, dean of the College of Human Ecology, would be the new chair of the search committee.
"As I begin my position as provost and executive vice president, moving forward with the search process is a high priority for me," said Chuck Taber. "To ensure that we attract the broadest and best pool of candidates, however, I have decided to seek the assistance of an external search firm. Dean Buckwalter will chair the search committee as announced, but I will look to form a new search committee and revisit the position announcement before we continue recruiting applicants. I want to sincerely thank everyone involved in the process to this point and ask for your patience and understanding as we move forward with this very important search."
Infectious disease researchers publish article confirming North American mosquito species as possible vectors for emerging disease
A group including five K-State researchers has published an article demonstrating that two North American mosquito species could spread Usutu virus, an emerging pathogen in Europe and Africa. The virus has killed thousands of birds in Europe and has been associated with neurologic disorders such as brain inflammation in humans.
Christian Cook, doctoral student in pathobiology; Amy Lyons, master's student in veterinary biomedical science and research assistant in diagnostic medicine and pathobiology; Yan-Jang S. Huang, research assistant professor in diagnostic medicine and pathobiology; Dana Vanlandingham, associate professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology; and Stephen Higgs, professor and director of the Biosecurity Research Institute, co-authored "North American Culex pipiens and Culex quinquefasciatus are competent vectors for Usutu virus," which was published Aug. 17 in the journal PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. All five researchers are affiliated with the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Kansas State University experts confront looming threat of African swine fever in Asia
Kansas State University experts have provided guidance to East Asian officials on the emerging problem of African swine fever.
Veterinary medicine researchers publish in journal Frontiers of Microbiology
Kansas State University researchers have uncovered a novel benefit from a procedure called fecal microbiota transplantation, which is the process of transplanting fecal microbiota from a healthy individual into an individual suffering from certain diseases.
Lead principal investigator Megan Niederwerder, assistant professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine, and her team recently published their findings, "Fecal Microbiota Transplantation is Associated With Reduced Morbidity and Mortality in Porcine Circovirus Associated Disease," in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology.
University selects first cohort of NBAF Scientist Training Program fellowships funded by $1.6 million federal grant
Five students at Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine are committed to working at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center and, eventually, the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility through a federally funded grant fellowship program.
College of Veterinary Medicine to join Everybody Counts — Manhattan
The College of Veterinary Medicine will be participating Aug. 4 in a community outreach event called Everybody Counts. This event occurs yearly in Manhattan at the Douglass Community Center in the 900 block of Yuma Street.
The College of Veterinary Medicine team plans to perform physical examinations, vaccines and preventative care as indicated. Products have been donated by pharmaceutical and nutrition/pet food corporations. The veterinary team will consist of several clinicians and faculty members, technicians and veterinary students who are volunteering at the event.
Regenerative medicine therapy now available for horses at Veterinary Health Center
The Veterinary Health Center at Kansas State University is now offering regenerative medicine therapy, including platelet-rich plasma and animal stem cell therapies, for equine patients.
Beef Cattle Institute podcast now available to download
Because veterinarians and beef producers are often on the road, the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University has launched "BCI Cattle Chat," a weekly podcast to provide current industry information to its on-the-go audience
College of Veterinary Medicine faculty attend 29th Meeting of the American Society for Rickettsiology
At the 29th Meeting of the American Society for Rickettsiology, hosted June 16-19 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, eight scientists associated with the Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases and diagnostic medicine and pathobiology department gave presentations. The attending scientists included Roman Ganta, Ram Raghavan, Katie Reif, Andy Alhassan, Huitao Liu, Chandra Kondithimmanahalli, Ying Wang and research assistant, Tippawan Anantatat.
Veterinary researcher examines invasive squirrel species at Jerusalem zoo
An internationally found, five-striped palm squirrel has a Kansas State University veterinary researcher learning how to keep the rodent from driving people nuts. David Eshar, assistant professor in companion exotic pets, wildlife and zoo animal medicine, is currently collaborating with the Tisch Family Zoological Gardens in Jerusalem, Israel, examining the northern palm squirrel, or Funambulus pennantii.
Kansas announces Cattle Trace pilot program for disease traceability
K-State's Beef Cattle Institute, the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Kansas Livestock Association, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and individual producer stakeholders have partnered to create Cattle Trace, a pilot project that will develop and test a purpose-built cattle disease traceability infrastructure in Kansas.
Veterinary graduate student selected as Seaboard American Royal scholar
AshLee Lattner, doctoral student in veterinary biomedical studies at Kansas State University, was selected as a 2018 Seaboard American Royal scholar. Lattner is one of 12 scholars selected from across the country.
The Seaboard Royal Scholarship program is designed to provide opportunities for outstanding college students to advocate for leadership, the food and fiber industry, and the American Royal. Lattner, Manhattan, will receive a $2,500 scholarship award.
Veterinary toxicologist warns of blue-green algae dangers to livestock, pets
Summertime is known for its heat. Add some rainy days to the mix, and this combination can be the recipe for the development of blue-green algae, according to a toxicologist at the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, a part of Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Also known as cyanobacteria, blue-green algae may bloom in fresh water where environmental conditions make it possible for these organisms to grow and replicate rapidly.
Steve Ensley, a clinical veterinary toxicologist at Kansas State University, said health problems can arise when animals and people come into contact with the various toxins produced by cyanobacteria. The most prominent problem involves a toxin called microcystin, which affects the gastrointestinal tract and liver.
Update on search for veterinary medicine dean
After a national search for the next dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, the university will keep the search open and continue recruiting candidates, according to K-State President Richard Myers and Provost and Senior Vice President April Mason. Bonnie Rush has agreed to remain as interim dean during the extended process.
John Buckwalter, dean of the College of Human Ecology, will be the new chair of the search committee. Incoming Provost Charles Taber will lead the search committee organization and process in conjunction with K-State President Richard Myers.
Veterinary research on swine coronaviruses featured on cover of Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
An image from the new review article by Kansas State University swine disease researchers in the College of Veterinary Medicine has been featured on the cover of the latest issue of the international journal Transboundary and Emerging Diseases: "Swine enteric coronavirus disease: A review of four years with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus and porcine deltacoronavirus in the United States and Canada."
In their article, Megan Niederwerder, assistant professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology, and Dick Hesse, professor and director of diagnostic virology, review the recent introduction and spread of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, or PEDV, and porcine deltacoronavirus, or PDCoV, in the United States and Canada.
Kansas State University conducts first U.S. livestock study with Japanese encephalitis virus
Kansas State University's Dana Vanlandingham, associate professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology, and Soo Lee Park, third-year veterinary student and concurrent doctoral student in pathobiology, are authors of recently published research on the susceptibility of North American domestic pigs to Japanese encephalitis virus infections. Park is the study's first author and Vanlandingham is one of its corresponding authors.
Veterinary researchers publish dietary supplement has negative impact on swine growth performance, gut microbiota
The College of Veterinary Medicine's Raghavendra Amachawadi and Steve Dritz published a study in Scientific Reports that reveals complications of a dietary supplement in nursery pigs.
Shelter medicine hires two full-time faculty
The College of Veterinary Medicine welcomed two faculty members to its shelter medicine program in April. Brad Crauer and Alyssa Comroe serve the college as clinical assistant professors of shelter medicine.
Crauer previously worked for the College of Veterinary Medicine and helped develop the shelter medicine program in 2015. After more than two years with K-State, he moved to the Seattle, Washington, area where he served as medical director for the Wenatchee Humane Society. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University in 1991.
Comroe joined K-State from Jacksonville, Florida, where she was a veterinarian at Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services, a large municipal animal shelter. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida in 2015.
College of Veterinary Medicine to host special diagnostic workshop on endemic and emerging diseases in June
The Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases, or CEEZAD, in collaboration with the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, or KSVDL, is inviting faculty and students to participate in a special workshop June 11-13 at the Kansas State University Alumni Center. "Diagnostics Of Endemic and Emerging Diseases: Beyond The Status Quo" will focus on discussions and collaborations regarding novel diagnostic tests for endemic, zoonotic and foreign animal diseases, including the scientific and regulatory challenges associated with the development of such tools.
Veterinary intervention helps Kansas bald eagle fly again after lead poisoning
Thanks to diligent action by concerned landowners, local law enforcement, staff of the Milford Nature Center and veterinary intervention at Kansas State University, a bald eagle suffering from lead contamination is flying again over the Tuttle Creek River Pond near Manhattan.
College of Veterinary Medicine gains membership to Clinical and Translational Science Award One Health Alliance
The College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University has been accepted as the latest member of an organization dedicated to promoting One Health collaborations. The Clinical and Translational Science Award One Health Alliance is comprised of veterinary schools that are partnered with medical institutions through a National Institutes of Health Clinical Translational Science Award.
Veterinary student receives equine medicine scholarship from national organization
A veterinary student at Kansas State University is now a two-time recipient of a $1,500 Winner's Circle Scholarship presented by the American Association of Equine Practitioners' Foundation, Platinum Performance and The Race For Education.
Kate Rigby, San Diego, California, was a recipient of this scholarship in 2017 and has just been selected for a 2018 scholarship.
Grant to help Kansas State University researchers identify pain relief options for arthritic and postoperative dogs
A research team from the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine is using a $25,000 grant from the American Veterinary Medical Foundation to improve canine pain relief, including finding an opioid formulation that can be used safely in dogs while decreasing risks in people.
The team of Butch KuKanich, professor of veterinary clinical pharmacology; Kate KuKanich, associate professor of small animal internal medicine; and David Rankin, clinical associate professor of veterinary anesthesiology, have already identified a drug formulation to control mild to severe pain in dogs via oral administration. The team found methadone combined with a pharmacokinetic enhancer produced prolonged effects in dogs when administered orally.
Cumulative gift for Kansas State University's Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases from Abaxis reaches $1 million
Steady support from a cutting-edge medical and veterinary technology company has now added up to $1 million for a key Kansas State University research center. For each of the last four years, Abaxis has presented the university's Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases with a $250,000 gift. An interdisciplinary research center in the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases' mission is to combat vector-borne diseases with a focus on pathogenesis, surveillance and disease prevention. The center director is Roman Ganta, professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology.
College of Veterinary Medicine presents research excellence award to Weiping Zhang
Dr. Franke Blecha presents the Zoetis Research Excellence Award to Dr. Weiping Zhang The College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University presented its highest research award during its annual Phi Zeta Research Day activities on March 6: The 2018 Zoetis Animal Health Award for Research Excellence. Weiping Zhang was chosen as this year's recipient. He is a professor in the diagnostic medicine and pathobiology department. Zhang's research mainly focuses on enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, or ETEC, pathogenesis in diarrheal disease and vaccine development against ETEC associated diarrhea.
Veterinary students receive scholarships from Zoetis and American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges
Eleven students in Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine are receiving the 2018 Zoetis Veterinary Student Scholarship. The scholarship program is sponsored by Zoetis, a global animal health company, in partnership with the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges.
Veterinary researcher receives $50,000 for tick and tick-related disease research from De Soto businessman
A small pest has inspired a very generous gift for Kathryn Reif, an assistant professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology who studies ticks and tick-borne diseases at Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Joe Bisogno, who owns Timber Hills Lake Ranch near De Soto, gave Reif a $50,000 gift to support the work in her laboratory.
Michael Whitehair, DVM, named Kansas State University Alumni Fellow
Michael Whitehair is one of 12 distinguished Kansas State University alumni honored as a 2018 Alumni Fellow. Whitehair is an Alumni Fellow for the College of Veterinary Medicine and will be on campus to present guest lectures April 11-13.
Veterinary students receive scholarships to study poultry medicine
Two College of Veterinary Medicine students are among a group of 10 veterinary students nationwide chosen for $5,000 scholarship awards from the American Association of Avian Pathologists Foundation and Merck Animal Health. The scholarships are open to veterinary students in their second or third year of study and who are focused on poultry health.
Veterinarian clarifies misconceptions about toxoplasmosis, offers safety tips
Susan Nelson, veterinarian and clinical professor at Kansas State University, says that proper precautions can help cat owners minimize the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis.
Kansas State University researcher studies risk of African swine fever in feed
Megan Niederwerder, Kansas State University assistant professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology, is involved in a new study that examines the risk of African swine fever virus and the ability of the disease to spread through imported feed and feed ingredients. The study will help researchers and pork producers prevent the spread of the highly contagious and costly animal disease.
Richard Hesse receives Howard Dunne Memorial Award from American Association of Swine Veterinarians
Richard Hesse, professor in the diagnostic medicine and pathobiology department in the College of Veterinary Medicine, was presented with the Howard Dunne Memorial Award at the 49th annual meeting of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians on March 5 in San Diego, California. This award is given annually to an association member who has made a significant contribution and rendered outstanding service to the association and the swine industry.
Phi Zeta Research Day awards recognize research by students, faculty in College of Veterinary Medicine
Research by Kansas State University students, residents, interns and faculty earned honors at Phi Zeta Research Day, March 6, at Kansas State University. The annual event is organized by the Sigma chapter of the Society of Phi Zeta, the professional honor society of veterinary medicine. The society's name is based on the Latin word "philozoi," meaning "love for animals," and its mission is to promote scholarship and research to improve the health and welfare of animals.
National search for dean of College of Veterinary Medicine
The Office of the Provost announces a national search for the next dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. The full position description, including required qualifications, may be found on K-State's Careers website or on the provost's website.
Patented vaccine technology offers options for cattle care
A new divisional patent issued to researchers at Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine could help lead cattle producers to a path of least resistance by providing a nonantibiotic treatment option for beef cattle liver infections.
The latest work by the university's T.G. Nagaraja and M.M. Chengappa, and former College of Veterinary Medicine researchers Sanjeev Narayanan and Amit Kumar, "Composition and Methods for Detecting, Treating and Protecting Against Fusobacterium Infection," uses vaccine-based technology that circumvents antibiotic use and the potential public health concerns associated with antibiotic resistance when treating cattle and sheep for liver abscesses caused by Fusobacterium. The liver infections are a significant economic concern to the feedlot industry.
Provost names search committee for College of Veterinary Medicine dean
April Mason, provost and senior vice president, has appointed the search committee to lead a national search for the university’s next dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Chairing this committee will be John Floros, dean and director of the College of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension. The anticipated start date of the new dean is Aug. 1.
National Agricultural Biosecurity Center conducts animal disease response training for College of Veterinary Medicine students
The National Agricultural Biosecurity Center conducted an animal disease response training for 28 students from the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine on Feb. 3. The awareness-level course is designed to cover many aspects of foreign animal disease response, including biosecurity, quarantine, cleaning and disinfection, depopulation and disposal, and proper use of personal protective equipment.
Veterinary researcher makes inroads in fighting classical swine fever
Jishu Shi, professor of vaccine immunology and director of U.S.-China Center for Animal Health in the university's College of Veterinary Medicine, has developed a method of producing a classical swine fever vaccine safely and inexpensively. The disease can cause devastating epidemics among pigs if left unchecked.
Shi's vaccine uses a protein from the virus rather than live or attenuated virus, which means the vaccine poses no biosecurity risk to produce in the U.S., where classical swine fever was eradicated in 1978.
Veterinary researcher collaborates with Johns Hopkins team on Parkinson's disease publication
A new journal publication by a Kansas State University researcher is focusing on a transgenic solution for tackling Parkinson's disease. Yulan Xiong, an assistant professor in the anatomy and physiology department in the College of Veterinary Medicine says Parkinson's disease is recognized as the most common movement disorder, affecting up to 1 percent of the population above the age of 60 and 4-5 percent above the age of 85.
Kansas State University earns No. 4 spot in ranking of top veterinary schools
A national publication produced by students for students has recently placed the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in the upper half of a list of the top 10 veterinary colleges in the United States.
Citing what it calls an "I Kan(sas)" attitude toward solving problems, College Magazine lists several factors to support a No. 4 ranking for Kansas State University among U.S. veterinary colleges, including a high standard of excellence in patient care and scientific discovery in the area of infectious diseases. Further emphasis was placed on the university's large animal expertise, impact on the cattle industry, learning objectives, student proficiency and the ability to identify and treat diseases.
College of Veterinary Medicine establishes Center of Excellence for Translational and Comparative Oncology Research at Kansas State University
The College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University has a new center of excellence that is focusing on improving the diagnosis, management and treatment of both human and animal cancer.
The Kansas State University Center of Excellence for Translational and Comparative Oncology Research, or CETCOR, was established in late 2017 through start-up funding from the university's Johnson Cancer Research Center and support from the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Diagnostic professor Beckham publishes article on biological threat reduction in OIE publication
Tammy Beckham, a professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine, has recently published a special issue in the World Organisation for Animal Health's, or OIE, Scientific and Technical Review on biological threat reduction. The Department of Defense has distributed the content to its leadership and all employees. The published volume focuses on animal pathogens as bioweapons.
College of Veterinary Medicine holds open house for renovated anatomy laboratory and learning space
On Jan. 16, the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University had an open house for its newly redesigned third-floor gross anatomy laboratory in Trotter Hall.
With the new lab, students are able to perform dissection work using a dedicated down-draft ventilation table with a built-in ventilation system. An attached vertical chase houses a monitor for display of course material and student laptop connection.
Veterinary livestock services intern receives national food animal incentive award
Shari Kennedy, livestock services intern at the Veterinary Health Center in Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, is one of five recipients of the 2018 Dr. W. Bruce Wren Food Animal Incentive Award.
The award recognizes recent graduates from veterinary colleges or schools who want to enter food animal practice or other careers directly related to food animal practice, such as food animal education and/or research, and includes expense-paid travel to attend the Western Veterinary Conference and a stipend of $1,000. Kennedy, Tyro, received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University in 2017.