March 2020 - Vol. 15, No. 3
Top Stories
COVID-19 UPDATE
Following directives from the administration at Kansas State University, the College of Veterinary Medicine is on limited operations status through the end of the semester as a strategy to minimize the risk of exposing anyone to coronavirus. This means the campus is closed and university activities are canceled or postponed till further notice.
Curriculum for the first three years of instruction is being delivered to students online. Fortunately, most of the laboratory instruction is already completed for the semester. Clinical instruction for fourth-year students in the Veterinary Health Center is limited to pressing/urgent/emergency cases only. The Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory remains operational to ensure continuity of support for NAHLN, Rabies testing, producers and clients.
Kansas State University has created a dedicated COVID-19 web page where more information and updates can be found. The link for this page is also posted on the College of Veterinary Medicine’s home page . We will share updates with the public when any new information becomes available.
Faculty license technology for coronavirus and norovirus compounds
By Erin Pennington
Amid increasing worldwide concern about a novel coronavirus, COVID-19, Kansas State University has licensed a technology through a research collaboration in the College of Veterinary Medicine that may lead to the production of an antiviral drug to treat coronaviruses and noroviruses.
CVM hosts annual Phi Zeta Research Day
By Piper Brandt
The College of Veterinary Medicine celebrated student research projects with the annual Phi Zeta Research Day on Tuesday, March 3.
Phi Zeta Research Day spotlights the research efforts of graduate students who are working toward a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Master of Science, Master of Public Health and/or a doctorate in the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Second-year student receives international veterinary scholarship
Emily Eppler, second-year veterinary student from Manhattan, is one of 54 veterinary students selected from around the world to receive a $5,000 scholarship supported through a partnership between Merck Animal Health and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF).
More Headlines
CVM discontinuing GRE requirement for admissions
By Cheyenne Swoope
The college is dropping the Graduate Record Examination as a requirement of its application process beginning with the 2020-2021 application cycle. At the January 2020 faculty meeting, voting constituents elected to adjust the admissions procedures, including elimination of the GRE as a requirement of the college's comprehensive application process.
New research improves understanding of nanomedicine for cancer treatment
By Piper Brandt
A new study from researchers with the CVM reports the current progress and limitations of using nanoparticle-based drug formulations to treat cancer. Nanoparticles — tiny particles between 1 and 100 nanometers in size — can be used to deliver medication directly to cancer cells.
College launches one-year master's degree program in biomedical science
Students interested in professional health careers now have an option to earn a master's degree that can be completed in one calendar year. The College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University has announced the launch of a new one-year master's degree in biomedical science.
News from the Center for Emerging Animal and Zoonotic Animal Diseases
By Bill Felber
A new diagnostic test developed by CEEZAD researchers, in collaboration with Silver Lake Research Compact, to fight the spread of African Swine Fever is getting important attention within the animal health community. Dr. Juergen Richt, Director of CEEZAD, was interviewed Feb. 24 in Washington by Elaine Reyes of China Global Television Network (CGTN).
Regular features
Alumni Events, Development and Continuing Education
The Veterinary Medical Alumni Association organizes alumni receptions at several of the national annual conferences plus continuing education events and more. This month's section includes the monthly listings of recently departed alumni and links to their obituaries, plus a new link for submitting nominations for Alumni Recognition Awards.
News Ticker
More activities and accomplishments in the College of Veterinary Medicine:
The Kansas State University Veterinary Health Center Dispensary announced it now has two technicians certified in Technician Product Verification (TPV). Joyce Nietfeld, CPhT (Pharmacy Manager) and Molly Carstenson, B.S., CPhT, CSPT (Compounding Manager) have both passed their national exam for this credential. The TPV Certificate demonstrates their skill in safeguarding patients from dispensing errors and expresses their commitment to excellence as pharmacy technicians. The dispensary is elated to be able to bring this level of training, service and safety to its patients. Both Joyce and Molly completed a 15 hour training program, which is a requirement to be eligible to sit for the national examination. Alex Zabiegala, class of 2022, was awarded the prestigious AVMA/AVMF 2nd Chance Award. This will allow her to conduct research this summer with Dr. KC Chang. Last summer, Alex was a member of our Veterinary Research Scholars Program (VRSP), and with this funding she will be able to participate in VRSP for a second summer. She will receive funding ($6,000) as a stipend and for travel to the National Veterinary Scholar Symposium in San Diego in July. Alex is also interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in feline virology with Dr. Chang. Anatomy and Physiology Ph.D. students, Andrew Curtis and Miriam Martin, presented their research at the American Society of Animal Science Midwest Meeting, as well as at Cattlemen’s Day. Andrew presented research on “A Subcutaneous Anaplasmosis Vaccine Implant” and Miriam presented on “An Assessment of the Diagnostic Sensitivity and Specificity of Pain Biomarkers in Cattle Using ROC Curves.”
Dr. Megan Niederwerder was an invited speaker at the Michigan Professional Pork Producers Symposium in Lansing, Michigan, on Feb. 20, where she delivered two talks. The titles of her talks were "Gut Microbiome and Respiratory Health" and "Risk of Foreign Animal Disease in Feed." Dr. Niederwerder was also recently featured by BioNexus KC on it's "Expert Exchange" page to talk about seeking ways to prevent swine epidemics: The 2020 Dog N Jog 5K & 10K and 1-mile Pup Trot originally scheduled Saturday, April 4 has been canceled! |
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EquiFest of Kansas is one of the largest equine trade shows in the Midwest. It has been held in Topeka since 2016 but was held in Salina this year. The breed exhibitions featured more than 12 different breeds and associations. There were many workshop speakers, arena demonstrations, and a horse judging competition during the event. Drs. Katie Delph and Dylan Lutter provided live demos. Drs. Chris Blevins and Jason Grady attended/helped with the event along with Alison Brunner, Jamie Maike, veterinary assistants; Westley Daily, veterinary nurse; Ashley VanMeter, nurse supervisor; and fourth-year students Ashley Anderson and Nicole Hansen.
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This year, 36 participants completed the 2019-2020 AAVMC Leadership Academy. They participated in three face-to-face meetings in Indianapolis in September, at Texas A&M in December and in Washington, D.C. in March, as well as peer mentoring calls and activities. The program was comprehensive and included speakers on adaptive leadership, emotional intelligence, effective teams, strategic thinking in disruptive times, conflict management, fundraising and development, resilience and well-being, as well as communication, media and advocacy training. Seven ACVP diplomates among the 36 participants are photographed below.
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Technician Internships offered at KSVDL for Summer 2020Explore a Career in Veterinary Diagnostic Medicine Are you looking to gain more experience in veterinary diagnostic medicine or explore your career options? The Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (KSVDL) is offering multiple paid technician internships for Summer 2020. This competitive program offers individuals the opportunity to gain experience and training within the KSVDL, as well as observe career possibilities in our laboratories first-hand. The technical internships are open to both students and non-students. This includes individuals enrolled in universities, community colleges, certificate programs and technical schools as well as recent graduates and individuals looking to expand their career options. To apply, please submit the following items with the subject line: Summer Internship Opportunities at KSVDL
Applications must be submitted to: Dr. Barbara Lutjemeierblutjeme@vet.k-state.edu 913-522-4183 Dr. Sasha Thomason sthomason@vet.k-state.edu 785-340-5046 Shawna Fitzwater sshawna@vet.k-state.edu 785-473-6539 |
New Arrivals/Recent Departures
Lifelines is published each month by the Marketing and Communications Office at the College of Veterinary Medicine. The editors are Joe Montgomery, jmontgom@vet.k-state.edu, and Piper Brandt, pnbrandt@vet.k-state.edu.