Dr. Robert DeLong, right, associate professor at the Nanotechnology Innovation Center of Kansas State, mentors second-year veterinary medicine student Hanah Huber this past summer for a research project. Dr. DeLong and other K-State researchers are part of a research collaboration with Tonix Pharmaceuticals that seeks to increase stability of mRNA vaccines, including those for COVID-19..

The agreement, coordinated by K-State Innovation Partners, is an exclusive license and option agreement and research collaboration with Tonix Pharmaceuticals.

Through the partnership, researchers will develop zinc nanoparticle, or ZNP, mRNA vaccines that replace the lipid nanoparticle, or LNP, technology in current COVID-19 vaccines. The new zinc nanoparticle technology confers increased stability to mRNA vaccines over a wide range of temperatures in model systems. The temperature-sensitive nature of zinc nanoparticle mRNA formulations limit vaccine shipping and storage to ultralow temperatures, which limits rapid global deployment. Under the research agreement, K-State will advance preclinical development of a new zinc nanoparticle mRNA vaccine to protect against COVID-19 based on the spike protein from SARS-CoV-2.

"The LNP technology of current mRNA COVID-19 vaccines limits our ability to deploy these vaccines in many parts of the world," said Dr. Robert DeLong, associate professor at the Nanotechnology Innovation Center of Kansas State. "The technology we have developed uses zinc to replace LNPs and results in more temperature stable mRNA vaccines."

Dr. DeLong said that zinc nanoparticles, unlike lipid nanoparticles, are stable over a range of temperatures, including room temperature. Eliminating the need for lipid nanoparticles in mRNA vaccines could speed deployment of new vaccines and make them more available globally. At scale, zinc nanoparticle-based mRNA vaccines may also be less expensive to manufacture.

Dr. DeLong will lead the vaccine research, along with colleagues Dr. Waithaka Mwangi, professor of diagnostic pathobiology, and Dr. Juergen Richt, director of the Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases and director of Center on Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases.

"Our goal in utilizing a new mRNA formulation technology is to vaccinate people all over the world to save lives globally and reduce the emergence of variants of COVID-19 that can evade vaccine immunity," Dr. Mwangi said.

According to the Center for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration, the mRNA vaccines developed by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna based on lipid nanoparticles have been shown to prevent COVID-19 for up to six months after two doses and for longer with a booster. Because of the limitations of lipid nanoparticle technology, these mRNA vaccines require ultra-cold storage and transport because they are unstable at room temperature or even in standard refrigerators or freezers.

"The Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines against COVID-19 have shown that mRNA technology is rapidly deployable and is likely to be one of the first lines of defense for future pandemics," said Seth Lederman, M.D., chief executive officer of Tonix. "The ZNP technology invented and developed by scientists at K-State has the potential to make mRNA vaccines that are free from LNPs, which could improve the stability of mRNA vaccines at room temperature and facilitate their deployment in places without ultra-cold chain supply systems."

Dr. Callie Rost (left), associate dean for admissions, introduces Shumin Li during the Zoom ceremony and explains why she was nominated for the Commerce Bank and W.T. Kemper Foundation Presidential Student Award for Distinguished Services in Enhancing Multiculturalism.

Marianne Korten, professor of mathematics in the College of Arts and Sciences, received the Commerce Bank and W.T. Kemper Foundation Presidential Faculty and Staff Award for Distinguished Services to Historically Under-Represented Minority Students, and Li received the Commerce Bank and W.T. Kemper Foundation Presidential Student Award for Distinguished Services in Enhancing Multiculturalism.

Li is the founder of Veterinarians for One Inclusive Community for Empowerment, or VOICE K-State, and served as president from 2019-2021. She also served as the student representative to the College of Veterinary Medicine's Multicultural Perspectives and Initiatives Committee and brought awareness to many important issues inspiring action from the committee. She partnered with K-State Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences, or MANRRS, to coordinate guest speakers for an Intercultural and Inclusion Lunch and Learn, including a nationally recognized expert, Lisa Greenhill, senior director for institutional research and diversity for the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges.

According to one of Li's recommendation letters, "K-State CVM is fortunate Shumin Li is part of the DVM program. By providing leadership, demonstrating inclusive actions and creating educational opportunities, Shumin has contributed toward the belonging of our entire campus community and her work is sincerely appreciated."

See video from the awards presentation here: 2021 Commerce Bank Presidential Awards for Diversity | MLK Observance Week

Shumin gives an updates on her school activities during the homeceoming for the US-China Joint DVM Program held at K-State in August 2021.

The program encourages students to get involved in research early on and consider careers in cancer research and medicine. Any undergraduate interested in doing cancer-relevant research is eligible to apply, including non-STEM majors. Awardees receive $1,500 and faculty mentors receive $1,000 per student for research expenses. The funding allows students to devote more time to research and less to non-academic jobs.

"This award allows me to further focus on my research and school work without having to stress nearly as much about financials," said Davanté Hammer, senior in microbiology and pre-medicine. "Being able to focus on research allows me to learn more about useful lab techniques, the role research plays in our understanding of science, and its role in health care."

The Johnson Cancer Research Center, in the College of Arts and Sciences, supports the cancer research and training of its faculty members, undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. All programs are funded through private donations.

"This opportunity allows students to apply what they’re learning in classes to real-life research problems and engages them in their education, a critical factor for success," said Sherry Fleming, the center's director and a professor of biology. "These are some of the university's — and the state's — most outstanding students, working closely with excellent faculty on projects to combat cancer."

The awardees will be recognized at a banquet in the spring, attended by their families, university faculty and administrators, and donors who make the awards possible. Below are two projects being conducted under the mentorsguo of Dr. Tamura, who is shown at right.

Grace Calo: "Oral administration of euglena water extract increases IgA cell number in MALT which may help attenuating lung tumor growth"

Morgan Phillips: "Study of the effect of a newly designed inhibitory peptide for CTLA-4 on NK cell activation and function and its effect on lung carcinoma cell growth"

"This award is very important to me because I have had several relatives pass away of lung cancer and getting the opportunity to contribute to research on it is very meaningful to me," Grace said. "This award also gives me the financial support to follow through with my project."

Following calving, the calf should be up and nursing within two hours.

“We're approaching the end of the second trimester and moving into the third trimester which means the metabolic demands of that cow or heifer are going to increase tremendously,” Dr. Hanzlicek said.

A key to having a successful calving and production season is for cows and heifers to be in the appropriate body condition, which according to Dr. Hanzlicek is a score of 5-7. He said he has seen many cattle in the 3-4 range in the past few months.

“We’re far enough away from calving that we can add condition to these cows and heifers without (creating) an economic burden,” he said. “It really comes down to having a formulated ration that is balanced for protein and energy.”

For those wanting to add scour vaccines to their prevention program, “it’s time to decide what vaccine they are going to use,” Dr. Hanzlicek said. “Look at the label and schedule on the calendar when they need to start vaccinating the cows and heifers.”

Dr. Hanzlicek said heifers will require two doses of the scours vaccine, while cows need one. The timing of those vaccines is “very, very important,” he said.

Also, Dr. Hanzlicek recommends establishing a clean calving area to help reduce the risk of scours. “There’s two major risk factors for scours,” he said. “One is the lack of colostrum consumption. The other is a contaminated environment that the babies are born into.”

Dr. Hanzlicek recommends having a location to move the pairs off the calving area to keep the calving facility less contaminated with the scour organisms.

Getting the calf here safely is another factor to consider, "Most operations are going to have to help at least one animal during the calving season,” Dr. Hanzlicek said. The last national survey indicated that 1 of every 100 heifers and 2 of every 100 adult cows will need assistance.

Being prepared to pull a calf is important. Dr. Hanzlicek said producers should have the following items on hand:

• Clean straps or chains.
• OB sleeves.
• Lube.
• Working calf pullers.
• Veterinarian's phone number.

Intervening at an appropriate time is important. “If we intervene too early and the cow or heifer is not dilated, we can injure the tissues and hurt the calf,” Dr. Hanzlicek said. “If we intervene too late, a lot of times that’s when we end up with stillborn calves.”

According to Dr. Hanzlicek, once a cow has reached the second stage of labor, they should give birth within 30 minutes. A heifer should calve within an hour. Second stage labor is when the heifer or cow can be observed experiencing uterine contractions, or the water-bag or calf’s feet are visible.

If assistance from the producer is needed, and they are unable to extract the calf within 15 minutes, then help – either a veterinarian or someone with more experience -- should be called.

Following calving, the calf should be up and nursing within two hours, Dr. Hanzlicek said. If not, a colostrum replacer can be given to help get the calf started.

“Colostrum-based powders are the best way to go, and I would recommend that every producer have one or two bags of powder replacer on hand during the calving season,” Dr. Hanzlicek said.

The Cottage House (background) in Council Grove served as the primary location for a Frontier Field Trip. Top left inset: Dr. Justin Kastner, in the role of T.K. Monro (coroner) presents a death certificate to masters student Emma Uridge who played the role of Mrs. Mary Waugh Dixon, a woman on vacation with her husband, while K-State alumna Mackenzie Gibbs stands by in the role of narrator. Top right: Chris Carter, Alexis Justice and Kate Lewis start preparations for the re-enactment exercise. Bottom right: Dr. Kasnter gives the thumbs up as the road trip begins. (Photos by Kaitlyn Rhine and Dr. Justin Kastner)

Dr. Kastner gathered a group of 17 students in food science and public health for the 37^th Frontier Field Trip, titled “An overnight microbial mystery.” The participants spent the night at a historic location.

“We selected Council Grove due to its iconic and memorable Cottage House hotel,” said Dr. Justin Kastner. “As part of a separate trip to Council Grove in August, I stayed at the hotel and, while I was there, thought to myself, ‘This hotel sure has the feel of the boardgame Clue!’ Then I recalled that 2022 is the 100-year anniversary of a major botulism outbreak that took place at a Scotland-based hotel, and I thought to myself, this is the perfect place to have a Frontier Field Trip to ‘re-imagine’ what happened almost 100 years ago.”

Frontier students tour the Cottage House in Council Grove while preparing to re-enact the historic botulism outbreak that took place in Scotland's Loch Maree Hotel in 1922. (Photo by Dr. Kastner)

Dr. Kastner created the model for Frontier Field Trips in 2004 with an academic colleague, Dr. Jason Ackleson. The field trips help students experience global issues in a workshop-based format where they received skill-development coaching.

For this trip, each student was assigned a historical person to research and re-enact, all connected with a botulism outbreak at the Loch Maree Hotel in Scotland in August 1922.

“Council Grove provided a picturesque setting for myself and other K-State students to re-imagine this outbreak,” said Kate Lewis, a pre-veterinary student attending the field trip. “Overall, from my experience on the trip, I was able to further my understanding of the risks of foodborne illnesses and connect with other students that were interested in public health.”

Students had an opportunity tour other parts of Council Grove, including the riverwalk and footbridge over the Neosho River. From left: Peter Maier, Del’Sha Roberts, Cheyenne Brunkow, Chris Carter, Emma Uridge, Danielle Preskitt Muir, Emily Kohlhepp, Karsen Deweese, Lucy Fischer, Alexis Justice, Kate Lewis, Vannith Hay and Dr. KaWang Li. (Photo by Kaitlyn Rhine)

Participants – Cast of Characters

Mackenzie Mayo-Gibbons, narrator – as herself

John Stewart (70), a yarn-and-cloth business owner from Glasgow, Scotland – played by Chris Carter, senior in public health and microbiology

William Vickers Dixon (60), Chief Inspector of Technical Inspection for Ireland (Dublin) – played by Alexis Justice, junior in animal sciences and industry

Mrs. Mary Waugh Dixon (56), wife of William, also from Dublin, Ireland – played by Emma Uridge, Master of Public Health (MPH) student

John Bertrum Talbot (22), a young Oxford graduate – played by Kate Lewis, junior in animal sciences and industry

Edward Gordon Williams (66), a gentleman on holiday (vacation) – played by Cheyenne Brunkow, MPH student

Mrs. Rosamund Sophie Porter Anderson (45), wife of a military Major – played by Kaity Rhine, sophomore animal sciences and industry and pre-veterinary medicine

Kenneth Maclennan (35), a ghillie (boatman) who did not stay at the Loch Maree Hotel – played by Danielle Preskitt Muir, Ph.D. student in security studies

John Mackenzie (40), a ghillie (boatman) who did not stay at the Loch Maree Hotel – played by Del’Sha Roberts, MPH student

Dr. Carnegie Dickson, a physician from London – played by Karsen Deweese, senior in public health, global health, medicine and soc.

Dr. William Maclean, a local Medical Officer of Health – played by Lucy Fischer, senior in animal sciences and industry

Dr. Brodie, a school medical officer from Dingwall, Scotland – played by Emily Kohlhepp, masters student in prof. sci. applied biosciences and food science

Bruce White, B.Sc., a microbiologist in the bacteriological laboratory of the Pathology Department of the University of Bristol – played by Vannith Hay, masters student in food science

Alexander Robertson (44), the owner of the Loch Maree Hotel Owner – played by Dr. Ka Wang Li, postdoctoral fellow in animal sciences & industry

Miss Jessie Finlayson (72), chef for the Loch Maree Hotel – played by Erin Manville, masters student in food science

Dr. William W. N. Knox, a local investigator/physician who treated patients – played by Peter Maier, Graduate Masters Public Health-M

Dr. Cox, a physician/investigator from Preston who treated patients – played by Ron Orchard, fourth-year veterinary student (Ron was unable to attend the trip due to obligations at the VHC)

T.K. Monro, MD, Professor of Medicine at the University of Glasgow, and coroner – played by Dr. Justin Kastner

After the main discussion of the first night, students gathered outside of the hotel to discuss takeaways, as well as current events, and how they tie into what was being talked about on the field trip.

Alumni Updates

Dr. James Kenyon publishes a new book about cats

A recent note from Dr. James Kenyon, DVM class of 1975 read, "A much-awaited book about cats and their owners has been released: A Cat Named Fatima: Tales of 23 Cats & the People Who Loved Them." For anyone who is interested, it is listed online through Meadowlark Books, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or at jamesrkenyon.com (Autographed and includes taxes and shipping). "Not since TS Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats has poetry told the story of these 23 cats," Dr. Kenyon wrote.

Welcome to:

Chase Minihan, Vet Med Support Services, Facility Maintenance Coord
Brent Allen Comp, Vet Med Support Services, IT Administrator
Jonathan Hampton, Veterinary Health Center, Veterinary Assistant
Jeremy McDiffett, Vet Med Support Services, Program & Progect Director III
Regan Steele, Veterinary Health Center, Project/Program Manager
Ignacio Fernandez Sainz, Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Research Associate
Tonia Gilliam, Veterinary Health Center, Veterinary Assistant
Andrea Meyer, Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, Animal Medical Technologist
Kaitlin Haase, Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Research Aide
Becky Menefee, Veterinary Health Center, Pharmacy Tech
Scott Fritz, Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, Fellow (Post Doc)
Taylor Richter, Associate Dean of Academic Programs, Student Programs Specialist

Farewell to:

Jessica Troutman, Veterinary Health Center, Veterinary Assistant
Benjamin Crossno, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Animal Medical Technologist
Tippawan Anantatat, Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Research Assistant