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Dr. Annette O'Connor named dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine

Following a national search, the Office of the Provost has named Dr. Annette O'Connor the next Hodes Family Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. She brings years of internationally recognized experience as she steps into the role effective Aug. 2. Dr. O'Connor is currently a professor of epidemiology and has served in senior leadership roles at Michigan State's College of Veterinary Medicine, including senior associate dean for faculty and administrative affairs, interim associate dean for student engagement and success, department chair and interim hospital director.

Sen. Moran announces federal funding for K-State College of Veterinary Medicine

By WIBW-TV

U.S. Senator for Kansas Jerry Moran visited Kansas State University on April 3, 2026, to announce new federal funding for the university’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He secured a $4.9 million federal investment to support equipment purchases and technology upgrades within the college. The announcement was made on April 3 at the Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Auditorium on campus.

Double honors for Dr. T.G. Nagaraja

Congratulations to Dr. T.G. Nagaraja, University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology. He is one of 11 K-State faculty members who have been honored with their own commemorative trees through the 2025 Roots of Research Faculty Honor Program, recognizing exceptional research and scholarly work that has shaped students’ lives, advanced discovery and strengthened the university community. At left, Dr. Nagaraja (third from left) is joined by K-State President Richard Linton, Vice President for Research Dr. Hans Coetzee and Interim Dean Dr. Elizabeth Davis.

In a separate event held on April 7, Dr. Nagaraja was honored by Phibro Animal Health with a commemorative plaque in San Antonio, Texas. He received the award in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions to ruminant nutrition and his pioneering research on liver abscesses in cattle. The plaque was presented by Haley Stomp, chief market access and commercial excellence officer.

Dr. Nagaraja's work was cited for significantly advancing the understanding of rumen health and has had a lasting impact on both scientific research and industry practices. In addition to his research achievements, Dr. Nagaraja has played a key role in the development and editorial leadership of the Rumen Health Compendium, a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners alike. This recognition reflects his dedication, leadership and profound influence on the field of ruminant health and production.

Dr. Nagaraja was appointed as a University Distinguished Professor in 2008. He received the Dr. Ron and Rae Iman Outstanding Faculty Award for research from the K-State Alumni Association in 2012; the Commerce Bank and W.T. Kemper Foundation Distinguished Graduate Faculty Award from K-State in 2018; the “Distinguished Veterinary Microbiologist of the Year” Award from the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists (ACVM) in 2019; and in 2021, he was inducted as a Fellow of the Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases.

K-State Day of Giving allows CVM to highlight second-floor renovation in Trotter Hall

On Kansas State University's Day of Giving, the K-State family once again demonstrated its extraordinary commitment to advancing academic programs, student success and innovative research. Wildcats reached new heights this year in the second annual 24-hour giving challenge, raising more than $7.5 million from 2,737 donors, including $66,067 for the College of Veterinary Medicine. The college shared a brief overview of planned renovations for the second floor of Trotter Hall as part of its social media campaign for the event.

Cattle detectives

By KSU Foundation

Teams of K-State veterinary and graduate students visit feedlots in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas to uncover medical mysteries. As part of an ongoing research grant at K-State’s Beef Cattle Institute, each student conducted a research project, gathering data through necropsies (animal autopsies) of feedlot cattle. The details they collected didn’t just lead to a better understanding of cattle mortality; they informed the beef industry, leading to healthier herds.

Bovine respiratory disease research receives $4 million grant

By WNAX radio

A faculty member at Kansas State University is taking a deep dive into a disease that is the leading cause of mortality in the cattle industry. The work of this research team has been recognized for its significance and recently received a $4 million grant to continue their study of Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD). Dr. Brad White, professor at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Director of the Beef Cattle Institute, says their early findings have brought new light to the effects of BRD on the entire body.

Dr. Susan Nelson shares springtime pet safety reminders

By Rylee Coy

Dr. Susan Nelson, clinical professor and veterinarian at Hill's Pet Health and Nutrition Center, advises pet owners to be aware of the hazards spring can bring and offers advice for making the most of the season with pets. From backyard plants to everyday household items, she said warmer weather can introduce a range of hidden hazards that pet owners may not always recognize.

K-State Rabies Laboratory announces winners of World Rabies Day poster competition

Rabies is a deadly but 100% preventable disease of both humans and animals. As part of a continued campaign to promote rabies awareness in Kansas, the winners of the second iteration of the Kansas World Rabies Day 2025 poster contest have been selected. The mission of this campaign, as promoted by the K-State Rabies Laboratory and several partners, is to get the word out about rabies and to increase knowledge on the potential for wildlife rabies reservoirs to transmit the disease to humans and pets.

More news from the college

Welcome, new Clinical Sciences faculty members! Dr. Veridiana Nadruz has joined as Clinical Assistant Professor in Large Animal Emergency, and Dr. Rachel Miner has joined as Clinical Assistant Professor in Small Animal Emergency.

Congratulations to Dr. Ken Harkin on being selected as the 2026 American Association of Veterinary Clinicians Annual Faculty Achievement in Teaching Award! The award is presented annually to a member of the AAVC who has achieved national recognition through their efforts on behalf of veterinary medicine.

Dr. Shane Lyon presented a CVM Community Lunch and Learn, “Client Education in High Stress Conversations,” on March 24, 2026.

The CVM had several representatives at the International Consortium for Antimicrobial Stewardship in Agriculture (ICASA) Research Symposium in Kansas City on March 31 – April 1. Dr. Mike Apley delivered the keynote address, Dr. Brad White participated in the ICASA Project Research Talks session, and moderated a panel on cattle research. Rebecca Bigelow, a grad student, took part in the ICASA Research Project Lightning Talks. The following also presented their posters during the symposium: Drs. Brad White, Raghavendra Amachawadi, T.G. Nagaraja, Harith Salih, Haitham Alneamy and Hari Balaji Sridhar, along with Thangam Venkatesan, Mina Abbasi, Maddie Mancke and Rebecca Bigelow.

Highlights from K-State Open House

The annual K-State Open House was held on April 18 and included a wide variety of activities in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Top left: First-year student Jordan Ebert helps a couple of youngsters "pull a calf" through a clever birth-simulation device. Top right: Second-year student Payton Wilber explains how microscopes help veterinarians to diagnose illnesses. Middle right: Second-year student Jess Mayer leads a quiz about items that can either be toxic or safe for pets. Bottom left: First-year student Andrea Rankin demonstrates how to give a physical exam to kitten models in the Clinical Skills Laboratory. Bottom right: Visitors experience the human animal bond by petting some of the veterinary students' pet dogs.

Highlights from the Kansas Science Festival

Veterinary students went on location on April 25 for the Kansas Science Festival at the Manhattan Public Library. Top row: First-year students Tessa Van Buren and Autumn Miller represent the student club "This is how we ROLE" by presenting facts about the heart. Middle row (left and middle): Dr. Kate KuKanich and son Jack join second-year student Brooke Paisley in meeting with visitors of all ages. Far right: Festival attendees go inside the Wellness on Wheels vehicle. Bottom left: First-year students Cole Lehman and Jake Boley unscramble clues about which animals can get heartworms. Bottom right: First-year student Jackson Rees gives a tour of the Wellness on Wheels vehicle.