Dr. Waithaka Mwangi accepts the Zoete Research Excellence Award from Dr. Frank Blecha.

Dr. Mwangi's research program seeks to develop novel strategies for safely inducing immune protection against microbial pathogens in livestock. Major ongoing efforts are focused on the development of an African swine fever virus subunit vaccine and a broadly protective bovine viral diarrhea virus vaccine, adjuvants and diagnostic tools.

“It means a lot to me to be selected as the recipient of the 2022 Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence,” Dr. Mwangi said. “It is inspiring to be honored for the research efforts and I am grateful to the colleagues, students and staff who have helped me to be successful.”

“Dr. Mwangi is an exceptionally talented immunologist whose research encompasses some of the world’s most consequential animal and human pathogens,” said Frank Blecha, associate dean for research. “His work on African swine fever virus and SARS-CoV-2 is at the forefront of contemporary vaccine technology. Importantly, he is sharing his vast expertise with his students and mentoring the next generation of immunologists and virologists in his laboratory.”

Dr. Mwangi earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and parasitology from the University of Nairobi, Kenya, in 1990. He completed a doctorate and postdoctoral training in immunology at Washington State University in 2002 and 2004, respectively.

Dr. Mwangi was recruited to the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University in July 2005 as an assistant professor and graduate faculty. He was promoted to a tenured associate professor in 2014. In October 2016, he joined the faculty at Kansas State University as a tenured associate professor, graduate faculty member and director of the flow cytometry laboratory. He was promoted to professor in spring 2019.

Dr. Mwangi has more than 25 years of experience working on vaccine design and antigen delivery platforms in large outbred animal species. His current research is focused on the development of SARS-CoV-2 subunit vaccines. He has had more than $21 million in research grants and has mentored more than 60 graduate students at Texas A&M and K-State. He is an inventor or co-inventor on 14 patents and has published more than 50 journal articles and two book chapters.

A Kansas State University team finds that a species of bacteria, Enterococcus faecium, can be a source of antibiotic resistance. Enterococcus faecium, pictured above, is contained in several commercial probiotic products for swine and cattle.

Dr. Raghavendra Amachawadi, assistant professor of food animal therapeutics in the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine, and his team have discovered that a species of bacteria, Enterococcus faecium, which is contained in several commercial products for swine and cattle, can be a source of antibiotic resistance.

Their study, "Whole genome sequence analyses-based assessment of virulence potential and antimicrobial susceptibilities and resistance of Enterococcus faecium strains isolated from commercial swine and cattle probiotic products," was published recently in the Journal of Animal Science.

"Although probiotics are beneficial bacteria, some bacterial species can have unintended negative consequences," Dr. Amachawadi said. "Our research has shown that Enterococcus faecium carries genes that confer resistance to antibiotics widely used in human medicine. Feeding such products to animals raises the possibility that the genes can be transferred to pathogenic bacteria and make them resistant to antibiotics, which can be passed on to humans."

At this stage, Dr. Amachawadi said, this is only a theoretical possibility and there is no evidence of such transfer actually taking place in the gut and subsequent human exposure.

The objective of the study was to utilize whole genome sequence-based analysis to assess virulence potential, detect antimicrobial resistance genes, and analyze phylogenetic relationships of E. faecium strains from commercial swine and cattle probiotics.

"Because use of antibiotics creates resistance in bacteria, which is a huge public health concern, producers are seeking replacements for antibiotics," Dr. Amachawadi said. "Most commercial probiotic products contain live bacteria that benefit the animal by improving the gut bacterial balance."

The findings from this study suggest that, in the future, probiotic products may need to undergo a test for antimicrobial resistance genes before they are marketed for use in food animals.

The study, funded in part by a grant from the National Pork Board, included researchers from the animal sciences and industry and diagnostic medicine and pathobiology departments at K-State, as well as the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition division of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at Laurel, Maryland.

Ten veterinary students at Kansas State University are receiving the 2022 Zoetis Foundation/AAVMC Veterinary Student Scholarship. Back row from left: Courtney Borden, Anne Brien, Ariel Carruth, Katie Stenger and Kamryn Ritter-Shapero. Front row: Meagan O'Brien, Cristina Marquez, Bailey Fritz, Grace Calo, and Melissa Hill.

The scholarship program is sponsored by Zoetis, a global animal health company, in partnership with the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges.

Now in its 12th year, the program awarded scholarships in the amount of $2,000 to 313 second- and third-year veterinary students representing 35 colleges of veterinary medicine. The program has awarded more than $8 million over the past twelve years, helping to offset education expenses for nearly 4,000 veterinary students.

More than 1,700 applicants from universities throughout the U.S. and Caribbean were evaluated for academic excellence, financial need, diversity, sustainability, leadership, and career interest. Scholarships are awarded to students in all areas of professional interest, including food animal medicine, small animal clinical medicine, research, government services, public health and organized veterinary medicine.

The following Kansas State University veterinary students are receiving the scholarship:

Bailey Fritz, second-year veterinary student, Westmoreland.

From out of state: Meagan O'Brien, third-year veterinary student, Denver, Colorado; Melissa Hill, second-year veterinary student, Manchester, Connecticut; Kamryn Ritter-Shapero, third-year veterinary student, Clearwater, Florida; Katie Stenger, second-year veterinary student, Williamsfield, Illinois; Courtney Borden, second-year veterinary student, New Bedford, Massachusetts; Grace Calo, second-year veterinary student, Floral Park, New York; Ariel Carruth, third-year veterinary student, Asheville, North Carolina; and Anne Brien, second-year veterinary student, Rolla, North Dakota.

From U.S. territories: Cristina Marquez, second-year veterinary student, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Fourth-year Kansas State University veterinary medicine student Daria Hinkle has published a case study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association on radiation treatment received by a cockatoo.

"Successful radiation treatment of undertail fibrosarcoma in a Major Mitchell's cockatoo (Lophochroa leadbeateri)" was written by Daria Hinkle, fourth-year veterinary student, Wichita, and published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

The bird was brought to the Veterinary Health Center because of a mass found on its tail. Despite the presence of the mass, the cockatoo was bright, alert and responsive and appeared otherwise healthy. A biopsy was performed by exotic pets and zoological medicine veterinarians Drs. David Eshar and Neta Ambar, who was completing an internship in exotic animal medicine at the time. The cockatoo was sent home with medication and to wait for the diagnostic results, which ultimately were inconclusive as to whether the growth was cancerous.

"Once a second biopsy confirmed it to be a malignant type of tumor, we met with Dr. Chieko Azuma from the Oncology Service at the Veterinary Health Center," Daria said. "It was recommended that we provide the cockatoo with a course of definitive radiation therapy with the goal of achieving long-term control."

This was a major challenge in this case: The cockatoo stayed at the Veterinary Health Center for four weeks to receive daily radiation treatments under brief, general anesthesia.

"He did great over the course of the hospitalization and almost became the service's mascot," said Dr. Eshar, associate professor of clinical sciences. "Our literature review informed us of previous radiation treatments with other parrot cases that were different than the one we used. We were hopeful that the cockatoo could be treated without excessive adverse effects."

The cockatoo received 20 total radiation treatments, following a protocol similar in scope to radiation treatments for dogs. No chemotherapeutic agents were used. A year and a half after the treatments concluded, the skin in the radiation field appears completely healed with no signs of reoccurrence.

"This is the second time I've been able to write up a case report about the treatment of an avian patient with the help of Dr. Eshar. This publication provides a strong foundation for me as I get closer to pursuing a career in exotic medicine," said Daria, who will graduate with her DVM in May. Hinkle then plans to begin a small animal rotating internship at North Carolina State University and, in the future, pursue residency opportunities in zoo medicine.

Other authors contributing to the report include Drs. Eshar, Ambar, Azuma and Sarah Schneider, a former anatomic pathologist at K-State.

Dr. Michael Kleinhenz, assistant professor of beef production medicine at the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine, has published a new study that finds benefits to feeding industrial hemp to cattle

"Cattle experience a variety of stress and inflammation," said Dr. Michael Kleinhenz, assistant professor of beef production medicine at the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine. "Our most recent data shows how cannabinoids via industrial hemp decreased the stress hormone cortisol as well as the inflammatory biomarker prostaglandin E₂. This shows that hemp containing cannabidiolic acid, or CBDA, may decrease stress and inflammation in cattle. Thus, hemp may be a natural way to decrease stress and inflammation related to production practices such as transportation and weaning."

Dr. Kleinhenz has published the results of his study, "Short term feeding of industrial hemp with a high cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) content increases lying behavior and reduces biomarkers of stress and inflammation in Holstein steers," in Scientific Reports.

"Our new research helps us better understand how cannabinoids present in industrial hemp interact with bovine physiology and pharmacology," Dr. Kleinhenz said. "For instance, we now know that repeated daily doses of CBDA via feeding hemp does not result in accumulation of cannabinoids in the blood. Additionally, it solidified previous research and shows that each cannabinoid has its own absorption and elimination profile."

Another benefit observed when feeding cattle industrial hemp is that they lie down more, which can help them ruminate and produce saliva.

Dr. Kleinhenz, who is in the college's clinical sciences department, worked with a multidisciplinary team. Researchers on the project included graduate students Mikaela Weeder, Shawnee Montgomery, Miriam Martin and Andrew Curtis; and anatomy and physiology department faculty members Drs. Geraldine Magnin, Hans Coetzee, Jason Griffin and Zhoumeng Lin; K-State Research and Extension's John C. Pair Horticulture Center in Haysville; and the environmental and global health department at the University of Florida. Each brought expertise in pharmacology, toxicology and plant biology.

"If hemp is to be utilized as an ingredient in the ration of cattle, it is prudent to know and understand the pharmacokinetics and potential biological effects of cattle exposed to repeated doses of cannabinoids present in industrial hemp," Dr. Kleinhenz said. "The initial data we have collected is essential should industrial hemp and its by-products are to be considered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Association of American Feed Control Officials. Further work is needed to determine if cannabinoids can alter the stress response in cattle during stressful times such as transportation and weaning, but we hope this research is a step forward in the right direction."

Funding for this work was provided by a grant from the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Michaela Long, a second-year veterinary student at Kansas State University will spend her summer researching infectious diseases through a select program offered by Boehringer Ingelheim and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service.

Kansas State University's Michaela Long, Turlock, California, currently in her second year of veterinary studies, is among 12 students from 10 universities across the nation selected to spend the summer researching diseases that could affect livestock and public health.

The research opportunity is being made possible by Boehringer Ingelheim and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service, or ARS.

Long will work with ARS scientists on livestock infectious disease research at one of nine USDA sites. Boehringer Ingelheim and the USDA will cover all costs for the students, including a monthly stipend and expenses associated with traveling to and from their schools to the USDA centers.

"As an aspiring poultry pathologist, I am excited to take part in the research project in the program," Long said. "I look forward to the positive implications this study has for poultry and the opportunity to learn more about how to implement research studies."

Each of the ARS scholars is invited to travel to the Veterinary Scholars Symposium in Minneapolis from Aug. 4-7, where they will present their research and network with other scholars and scientists. The K-State College of Veterinary Medicine also sends a group of students to this symposium each year through its summer Veterinary Research Scholars Program.

"ARS employs world-renowned veterinarian scientists with a broad range of expertise in infectious diseases of animal and public health concern," said Roxann Motroni, D.V.M., Ph.D., and USDA Agricultural Research Service national program leader for animal health. "This allows us to be responsive to emerging One Health disease threats by quickly implementing research needed to inform emergency response. Through this partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim's Veterinary Scholars Program, veterinary students across the country will have the opportunity to train with these leading veterinarian scientists."

Alumni Updates

Dr. Tolani Francisco returns to K-State as 2022 Alumni Fellow

Pandemics delayed the K-State Alumni Association's annual Alumni Fellow program for more than two years. Hodes Family Dean Bonnie Rush quipped that this made Dr. Tolani Francisco, DVM class of 1990, the CVM's longest-running Alumni Fellow. Dr. Francisco presented a seminar April 20 and talked about her career in veterinary medicine and public health, including jobs with the Air Force, the USDA and on the Laguna reservation where she grew up in New Mexico. See more information about Dr. Francisco at the Alumni Assocation Alumni Fellows website.

Dr. Tera Barnhardt, DVM 2014, named Dairy Quality Center Veterinarian of the Year

Welcome to:

Emma Jolley, Veterinary Health Center, Faculty, Veterinary Nurse II
Amanda Rezac, Anatomy & Physiology, Research Technician
Jennifer Rogosch, Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, Research Assistant
Taylor West, Veterinary Health Center, Veterinary Nurse II
Kasey Hogan, Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, Research Assistant
Melevaihi Mauga, Veterinary Health Center, Animal Technician I
Todd Neipert, Veterinary Health Center, Animal Technician I
Madelyn Ratcliff, Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, Research Assistant
Emily Fields, Veterinary Health Center, Veterinary Nurse III
Yashoda Subedi, Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, Research Assistant
Natalia Costa-Ball, Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Research Associate
Amanda Koches, Vet Med Support Services, Custodial Specialist
Thomas Terzi, Vet Med Support Services, Custodial Specialist
Layton McKinney, Veterinary Health Center, Veterinary Assistant
Michael Welle, Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, Laboratory Client Services Assistant

Farewell to:

Lindsey Gordon, Veterinary Health Center, Faculty, Veterinary Nurse II
Madison Davis, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Research Assistant
Travis Foland, Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Research Assistant
Anna Gabrielson, Vet Med Support Services, Custodial Specialist
Jennifer Rogosch, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Laboratory Client Services Assistant
Minfeng Tang, Clinical Sciences, Research Associate
Kristina Doner, Veterinary Health Center, Client Services Manager
Elizabeth Porter, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Research Assistant
Natalia Costa-Ball, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Research Assistant
Becky Menefee, Veterinary Health Center, Pharmacy Technician
Kayla Campbell, Clinical Sciences, Program/Project Assistant
Brenda Waters, Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, Research Assistant
Kelli Almes, Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, Clinical Associate Professor