CVM appoints Dr. David Renter as associate dean for research and graduate programs

The College of Veterinary Medicine has appointed Dr. David Renter as associate dean for research and graduate programs, effective Dec. 21. A longtime faculty member, Renter holds the Robert MacDonald Professorship in Veterinary Medicine and is the founder and director of the Center of Outcomes Research and Epidemiology.

Beef-focused graduate students embrace interdisciplinary engagement through new K-State cohort

Students are leading students at Kansas State University with a goal of making a positive impact on the future of the beef industry. Taylor McAtee, a Ph.D. student in the College of Veterinary Medicine has been coordinating the Interdisciplinary Beef Graduate Student Cohort Lunch and Learn series of seminars throughout the fall semester and other cohort activities.

First-year student receives livestock scholarship
By Morning Ag Clips

First-year student Sadie Marchiano was awarded with the $1,500 Cartridges for Cash (CFC) Scholarship from Merck Animal Health and Kansas Livestock Foundation.
There were overall 35 scholarship winners announced for the 2025-26 school year and recognized during the annual Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) Convention Nov. 19 in Manhattan.

K-State research suggests obesity reduces influenza vaccine effectiveness in male animals

Newly published research at Kansas State University has observed a notable difference in influenza vaccine responses between male and female mice with obesity. While the research has not yet been evaluated in humans, early results in animals suggest that males with obesity derive less protective benefit from the influenza vaccine than females with obesity.

Second-year student receives Lallemand Animal Nutrition scholarship
From press release

Second-year student Noah Larson was awarded with $3,000 scholarship from Lallemand Animal Nutrition. He is one of five students overall to receive a scholarship, and the only veterinary student among those five students.
The scholarships totaling $14,000 support undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in animal sciences, nutrition, veterinary medicine and innovation in animal agriculture.

Research seeks to help children breathe easier and avoid respiratory infection

Respiratory syncytial virus, more commonly known as RSV, sends thousands of young children to the hospital each year, and treatment options remain limited.

New research in the CVM from Dr. Pankaj Baral and his grad student, Sandeep Adhikari, is helping address and mitigate the effects of the troublesome virus.

K-State students participate in 45th Frontier Field Trip to Victoria and Hays

Prepared by Frontier Field Trip participants Torre Dunlea, Alexa Heseltine and Madeleine Pike

In early October, Dr. Sandy Philip-Sprague and Mike Sprague graciously welcomed students from Kansas State University and Fort Hays State University to their historic homestead for an educational visit exploring the legacy of George Grant and the founding of the Victoria Colony. The students were participants in the 45th Frontier Field Trip led by Dr. Justin Kastner.

More news from the college

Nutrition and dermatology take center stage at annual continuing education symposium

The CVM hosted the annual Small Animal Clinical Nutrition Symposium on Dec. 13. This year’s
educational event focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of dermatologic conditions in
small animal patients. Speakers included K-State’s Drs. Melissa Upchurch and Anri Celliers, along with
Dr. Christina Gentry from Texas A&M and Dr. Devon Ueda from Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Drs Upchurch and Gentry answer questions from the audience in the above photo.

Annual holiday lighted parade draws a crowd

The Spirit of the Holidays Parade was held last Dec. 5 on Poyntz Avenue in downtown Manhattan. The college thanks everyone who helped decorate the Wellness On Wheels, or WOW, vehicle and attended the parade to represent the CVM. Special thanks to Dr. Kate KuKanich for organizing the decorations and coordinating participation.

Quick updates

The CVM hosted Wildcat Equine News Hour Expo on Saturday, Nov. 22. The event featured a panel discussion with Drs. Haileigh Avellar, Adam Bassett, Chris Blevins, Katie Delph Miller, Troy Holder and Dylan Lutter. The event connected horse owners, breeders and other equine enthusiasts with the latest in equine health and reproduction services.

Congratulations to Dr. Maria Jugan and her VRSP student Jeff Novotony for publishing their project in PLOS ONE. Their article is called, “Dogs with advanced myxomatous mitral valve disease have evidence of gastrointestinal bacterial translocation and systemic inflammation.”

A BCI Cattle Chat podcast inspired a Morning Ag Clips article highlighting how partnerships strengthen the beef industry and featured insights from Drs. Brad White and Scott Fritz.

Kansas State University's National Agricultural Biosecurity Center is expanding its role on the front lines of animal disease preparedness. With $211,248 in new support from USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the NABC will lead a project called Region 7 Tabletops and Functional Workbooks for Extension Professionals. The effort is part of the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program, a Farm Bill initiative that is investing $15.3 million in 68 projects to strengthen animal health infrastructure, biosecurity, emergency planning, training and traceability nationwide. From October 2025 through September 2027, NABC and its partners will design and deliver tabletop exercises — guided simulations that walk participants through potential foreign or emerging animal disease events — for extension professionals in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Extension agents, state officials and other stakeholders will work through evolving scenarios, practicing how to coordinate response actions, communicate risk and make time-sensitive decisions that protect livestock and the broader agricultural economy.