Lifelines Online

Phi Zeta Research Day spotlights student accomplishments in scientific investigations

Student research was in the spotlight the first Tuesday of March for the annual Phi Zeta Research Day. The activities included oral presentations, PowerPoint slides and a broad gallery of research posters. See a full list of awards, scholarships, member initiations and the selection of the Zoetis Excellence in Research Award at the link above.

Protecting the nation's poultry supply: Insect-based immunization research shields poultry from avian influenza

New research at Kansas State University aims to tackle one of the most significant threats to global animal health and food security — highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI — by using mealworms, a supplement of poultry feed, as a vaccine-delivery method. Dr. Laura Miller serves as the lead investigator on this unique project.

New research project adapts cattle vaccine to protect poultry from bird flu

What's good for the steer may be good for the rooster. New research at Kansas State University seeks to adapt a successful cattle vaccine as a new method for protecting chickens from the threat of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, or HPAI. Dr. Waithaka Mwangi serves as the lead investigator on this innovative project.

Dr. Susan Nelson shares tips to keep pets safe during severe weather

Severe weather season is here in Kansas, and preparing for storms should include every member of the family, including pets. Dr. Susan Nelson, clinical professor and veterinarian at the Kansas State University Hill's Pet Health and Nutrition Center, said planning ahead for storms can help keep pets safe and reduce stress during severe weather events.

Second-year student receives David A. Schoneweis Scholarship at AASV Annual Meeting

Emily Evans-Stevens, a second-year student, was awarded the David A. Schoneweis Scholarship during the American Association of Swine Veterinarians Annual Meeting held in Las Vegas, Nevada. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a student or students from K-State or Oklahoma State who participate in the student oral or poster presentations during the AASV Annual Meeting. The scholarship honors the late Dr. Schoneweis, DVM class of 1956, who taught at OSU and K-State.

CVM graduate student earns second place three minute thesis competition

Dr. MaRyka Smith-Wesihaar (left), DVM class of 2024, received second place in K-State's annual Three Minute Thesis Competition. She is finishing her Ph.D. this May. Her presentation was titled "Traceability 'til the Cows Come Home" — an examination of electronic tagging and digital reporting to speed disease tracing in cattle. She is pictured with the first-place awardee, Vidya Nadar, a Ph.D. candidate in chemistry.

FFAR provides rapid funding to CVM team to develop an avian flu vaccine for livestock

By Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research

H5N1 influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has increasingly infected dairy cattle and swine, threatening food security, rural livelihoods and the economic stability of animal protein markets. In response to these spillover events, the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and Kansas State University are investing $401,802 in a Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research (ROAR) grant to develop a vaccine to protect cattle and swine from H5N1.

K-State veterinary experts discuss management strategies to reduce calf illness during calving season

During a recent episode of the BCI Cattle Chat, the veterinary team discussed strategies producers can use to manage and prevent calf scours, one of the most common health challenges in young calves. “Prevention is really the best strategy when it comes to scours,” Dr. Bob Larson said. Scours — commonly referred to as calf diarrhea — can quickly become a serious issue if calves become dehydrated or weak.

More news from the college

Dr. Brad White, Amy Thornburrow and Chevy-Lynn Vaske represented the Beef Cattle Institute and the Cattle Chat podcast with a booth at Cattle Con in Nashville, Tennessee, Feb. 3-5.

Drs. Leslie Weaver and Matt Miesner presented at the American Association of Bovine Practitioners Recent Graduate Conference in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Feb. 13-14. Dr. Weaver presented, “Small ruminant neonatal care” and Dr. Miesner presented, “Laceration Repair and Wound Management in the Field.”

The equine section hosted the Equine Reproduction Open House on Feb. 21. Dr. Adam Bassett led the presentations and provided tours. Attendees learned about breeding stock fertility, services offered and recent facility upgrades.

Drs. Chris Blevins, Bryan Weaver, Adam Bassett, Ashley Shine and Isabell Stamm along with nurse Ashley Van Meter and students Kaden Strom, Steph Severson and Milan Black provided veterinary services for the K-State Rodeo Feb. 20-22.

Community Outreach team provides needed care in Wichita

With the dedication and teamwork of everyone involved, the Community Outreach team successfully vaccinated and microchipped more than 300 animals in Wichita, helping to improve their health, safety and chances for a bright future. In addition, over 275 animals were vaccinated and microchipped, supporting improved animal health, safety, and identification within the community. This is one of the largest events ever performed by the outreach team, which collaborated with the Wichita Animal Action League and looks forward to continuing its shared mission to support the animals and communities.

Intramural basketball teams win championship game

The Vet School DAWGZ intramural basketball team secured a 66–44 win to claim @kstaterec's intramural league championship over Hoops I Did It Again. After teammate Sydney Keller was injured during the playoffs, the team came together and continued to compete with determination the rest of the way. Members of this year's team were: Zac Koontz, Micah Gegenbach, Nathan Frater, Michael Duncan, Rachel Calame, Mackenzie Faircloth, Reaghan Sattler, Payton Wilber, Kaitlyn Desmond and Tom Koontz (Sydney Keller not pictured).

Anatomy holds annual pickleball tourney

Dr. Pradeep Malreddy shared some photos from the 4th Annual Anatomy & Pickleball Tournament.

"I introduce pickleball 'office hours' on the first day of Gross Anatomy and remind students throughout the year to join us on Sundays when they can," Dr. Malreddy said. "Some students occasionally ask quick course-related questions, such as how to prepare for an exam, what’s coming up that week, etc., but most of the time it’s simply a chance for all of us to decompress and connect outside the classroom."

Other anatomy instructors join, including Drs. Konnor Stueve, Jeremy Klingler, Chandler Diehl and David Poole, and other visitors might include Dr. Jim Carpenter.

"We’ve had students try pickleball for the first time through this and keep playing regularly — some even still come back during their second or third year," Dr. Malreddy said. "It has slowly grown into a small tradition."