Veterinary students provide assessments to more than 70 Kansas feedlots
Summer vacations usually involve travel and sightseeing, but for six Kansas State University veterinary students, their summer was spent visiting 74 feedlots in Kansas in order to provide a unique feedlot assessment service.
The students were selected and trained by Dr. Dan Thomson, Jones Professor of Production Medicine and Epidemiology, working in collaboration with the Kansas Livestock Association, the Kansas Beef Council and National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA).
(Back row) Miles Barber, Joyce Wick and Matthew Temaat. (Front row): Kathleen Flanagan, Isabelle Withrock and Samantha Boyajian.
“Beef Quality Assurance is a process involving an educational component where producers can be individually certified and then a verification process where the principles of implementation can be verified through an on-site assessment,” Dr. Thomson explained. “Our college conducted a similar project in 2012 with Dr. Tera Rooney-Barnhardt, who was then a student. This summer we recruited six students, who then took the project on as a team. They were real entrepreneurs who ran this project like it was a veterinary practice.”
“We were happy to collaborate with Dr. Dan Thomson, K-State College of Veterinary Medicine and six outstanding interns to offer these BQA assessments for our hard-working producers and feeders,” said Kevin Thielen, executive director of the Kansas Beef Council. “The BQA program is an opportunity for the entire industry, from cow calf producer to feedlot manager, to unite behind a common goal and a commitment to quality and sustainability. Guided by accepted scientific knowledge and common sense animal handling protocols, Kansas producers ensure that no matter how long a cow is under their care, that it is raised humanely and responsibly. This partnership is just one of the many examples of how producers and feeders work collaboratively with licensed veterinarians to ensure a safe, healthy, and humanely raised product for the modern consumer.”
“The BQA program is foundational in helping train cattlemen to use proven cattle care and handling techniques which results in high quality beef,” said Josh White, executive director for producer education for the National Cattemen’s Beef Association. “I am extremely pleased that the BQA program was able to partner with KSU veterinary students to assist feedyards across Kansas in conducting BQA Feedyard Assessments. The commitment of these students is impressive and is demonstrated by the number of feedyards assessed or re-assessed in a short window of time.”
Five of the students are in the second-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine class: Samantha Boyajian, Gardner, Kansas; Isabelle Withrock, Wichita, Kansas; Miles Barber, Marysville, Kansas; Joyce Wick, Sidney, Montana; and Kathleen Flanagan, Dallas, Texas. The sixth student is a third-year class member: Matthew Temaat, Manhattan, Kansas.
“We were just like entrepreneurs,” Boyajian said. “We jumped into this project – working together with the producers. It was truly a hands-on experience working with people who care as much as you do and seeing how they work every day. As a learning experience, it was much more than you can get out of a classroom.”
“We ended up cold-calling every feedlot in Kansas to see if they would participate,” Withrock said. “The first calls were scary, but you learn how to talk to producers, about how to talk about their operations and you learn how producers feel about the BQA program. Many are already BQA-certified and they were real excited about the opportunity for getting more involved in the program. It was mutually beneficial for us students and for the producers.”
The assessments were scheduled in June and July. The students worked as teams and later as individuals, which allowed them to visit more feedlots on a daily basis.
“You have to get your foot in the door first,” Boyajian said. “Once you had confidence in what you were doing, one person went to conduct the assessments. We would visit one lot a day, and be gone for four days or so.”
“A couple of places already have their veterinarian performing assessments,” Withrock said. “We worked with them almost like a trial run, to get it more widespread and more well-known. BQA assessment is easy to follow, whether as a veterinarian, student or as a producer. You can take the guidelines as a veterinarian and apply it to your clients, so I think it will be easy enough for veterinarians to start implementing on a more widespread basis.”
Dr. Thomson anticipates working with another group of students to conduct assessments next summer, but that producers and veterinarians can learn more about the process on their own. He said the NCBA hosts a national BQA feedyard assessment database, with information posted at this website: http://www.beefresearch.org/beefissuesquarterly.aspx?id=4828.
“This database is protected from freedom of information requests and is a private list for packers/retailers only if the feedlot gives permission to be placed on the list,” Dr. Thomson explained. “These assessments do not need to be conducted by our group. If a veterinarian is doing them for a feedlot, then we recommend asking to see if feedlot would like to be placed on the list.”
Assessment forms are available at www.BQA.org.
As a veterinary educational experience, the students say the BQA assessment service would be valuable for any student.
“Whether or not planning you’re planning to work as a small animal veterinarian, you still have the responsibility to be knowledgeable about BQA,” Boyajian said. “I wish every single veterinary student could do it. If you have the opportunity, no matter your background, it’s something you should try to do.”
Researchers receive $1.5 Million FDA grant to support antibiotic monitoring in beef feedlots and dairies
The Food and Drug Administration has greenlighted a pilot project for veterinary researchers at Kansas State University to begin monitoring antibiotic use in beef feedlots and dairies. A grant for the project will total $1.5 million — $300,000 per year for a period of five years.
“Our long term goal is to establish a functional and efficient antibiotic use monitoring system in beef and dairy production systems, which will support continued advancement of antibiotic stewardship in the United States,” said Dr. Michael Apley, professor of production medicine and clinical pharmacology in the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Apley is working with on this project with Dr. Brian Lubbers, director of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory in the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, and Dr. Sandra Godden, a veterinary professor at the University of Minnesota.
“This funding opportunity was issued because of one of the biggest challenges facing our human and animal health care systems today – that of antibiotic resistance,” Dr. Apley said. “This challenge threatens to impair, or perhaps remove in many cases, the relatively recent ability to dramatically change the course of bacterial infectious disease.”
The research team is collaborating with the United States Department of Agriculture Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health (USDA CEAH) on data-gathering design structures for industry representation. Data will be collected from 30 feedlots and 32 dairies in states such as California, Kansas, Texas, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota. Participation in the study is both voluntary and anonymous.
“We are fortunate to have the collaborative assistance of both the beef and dairy industries, and the USDA CEAH,” Dr. Lubbers said. “With their help, we aim to create usable systems that can be adopted by agriculture to understand and continuously improve our antibiotic use practices.”
Dr. Apley added, “While there is an interest component in providing data for public disclosure, a primary interest of ours is to provide detailed benchmarking data so that individual producers and veterinarians can evaluate their antibiotic uses in comparison to their peers. This process will open multiple opportunities to study how we can continue to advance antibiotic stewardship in food animal production systems, making our data the starting point for multiple other studies. Participation by producers is yet another indication that food animal producers take seriously the health of both the animals in their care and the consumers of the food products which they produce.”
U.S.-China Joint DVM Program selects four Chinese students for pre-veterinary studies
The U.S.-China Center for Animal Health in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University has announced the selection of four students to attend Kansas State University next year for pre-veterinary studies in the U.S.-China Joint DVM Scholarship Program.
The students were selected after reviewing applications and interviews that were conducted in China in July at Inner Mongolia Agricultural University.
The admitted students are Yilei Zheng, Sichao Mao, Weihan Wang and Xinyi Xu who are from Sichuan Agricultural University, Zhejiang University, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University and Nanjing Agricultural University, respectively. These four were selected from an initial group of 11 junior or senior undergraduates from nine universities in China, which also included: China Agricultural University, North-West A&F University, Northeast Agricultural University, Jilin University and Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology.
The students who are selected for the U.S.-China Joint DVM degree program must complete one year pre-veterinary studies at Kansas State University, and then they may apply for admittance at Kansas State University or one of three other universities which are partners in the program: Iowa State University, University of California, Davis, and University of Minnesota.
The U.S.-China Joint DVM scholarship program is sponsored by Kansas State University, the China Scholarship Council, Zoetis/International Veterinary Collaboration for China, the Chinese Veterinary Medical Association and Banfield Pet Hospital. The program also partners with the American Veterinary Medical Association, U.S. Department of Agriculture, University of California Davis, University of Minnesota, Iowa State University and 12 agricultural universities in China. The U.S.-China Center for Animal Health coordinates the partnership and leads the program.
Since 2015, the U.S.-China for Animal Health has invited deans or representatives from the program partnering veterinary schools in the U.S. to participate in interviews in China. The interview committee members in this July interview includes Dr. Tammy Beckham, dean; Dr. Frank Blecha, associate dean for research at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine; Dr. Jared Danielson, associate dean for the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine; Dr. Jishu Shi, director of the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health and Dr. Lei Wang, manager of Education Programs at the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health. The students were chosen through a collective decision by the interview committee and the China Scholarship Council.
The U.S.-China Center for Animal Health also used this interview opportunity to promote veterinary education and research exchanges. Four of the committee members presented seminars at Inner Mongolia Agricultural University. Dean Beckham talked on the role of veterinary medicine in global animal and public health, Dr. Blecha spoke about vaccine development at Kansas State University, Dr. Danielson reviewed the professional program in veterinary medical education at Iowa State University and Dr. Wang gave an overview on the U.S.-China Joint DVM Scholarship Program at Kansas State University.
The interview trip of the K-State delegation was concluded with K-State night in Beijing with K-State alumni. This event was also attend by Marie Keith, a third-year student in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at K-State, who also a student in the Master of Public Health degree program. Keith had a summer internship at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention that was arranged by the U.S. China Center for Animal Health. The K-State night was hosted by Hua Wu, a 1990s doctoral and postdoctoral alumnus and current CEO of Sinovet, which is an animal health company in China.
“The U.S.-China Center for Animal Health has played an important role in building the college into a global leading institute in veterinary education,” Dean Beckham said. “The presence of international DVM students on campus and the internship in China provides great opportunities for our students to have global perspective. Our college’s mission is to educate the next generation of global health leaders.”
Members of the U.S.-China Joint DVM program interview a candidate for the pre-veterinary program at K-State. From left: Dr. Jishu Shi, director of the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health at K-State; Dr. Frank Blecha, associate dean for research in the CVM; Dean Tammy Beckham; Dr. Jared Danielson, associate dean for the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine; and Dr. Lei Wang, manager of Education Programs at the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health.
CVM faculty visit the China Scholarship Council (from left): Dr. Lei Wang; Dr. Frank Blecha; Dean Tammy Beckham; Yanguang Li, director of the Division of American and Oceanian Affairs for the China Scholarship Council; Dr. Jishu Shi; and Li Meng, deputy-director of the Division of American and Oceanian Affairs for the China Scholarship Council.
Front row (seated) Marie Keith, third-year student; Dean Tammy Bekcham, Dr. Frank Blecha and Wenzhi Xue, director of regulatory affairs for Merial Asia (who also earned a Ph.D. in the college in the 1990s). Back row: Dr. Hua Wu, who studied under Dr. Blecha in his research laboratory at K-State; Shucheng Zhang, vice president of Sinovet (who also earned his Ph.D. at the college in 1990s), Dr. Jishu Shi; and Dr. Lei Wang.
On a tour of the local community with Dr. Jishu Shi; Dr. Lei Wang; Dr. Jinghui Liu, secretary-general of the China Scholarship Council; Dr. Frank Blecha; and Li Meng from the China Scholarship Council.
Video Feature
More than 100 CVM faculty, staff and students participate in Strategic Planning focus teams
On Aug. 27, more than 100 CVM faculty staff and students came to work on a Saturday to participate in focus teams for the college’s strategic planning initiative - hear how they are working together to promote the future of the college.
Video produced by Kent Nelson, technology coordinator from Computing and Technical Support (CATS). See more CVM videos at our YouTube site: youtube.com/KSUCVM
A special message and thank-you from Dean Tammy Beckham
This past May, the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University contacted you about the new strategic planning initiative we are currently working on. At the time, we asked for your input through a special survey about directing our resources and defining our priorities for the next three years.
Nearly 1,000 people completed the survey from all the different groups of college stakeholders we contacted.
Thank you very much for taking the time to fill out the survey. This sincerely demonstrates your commitment to excellence in veterinary education and the college's mission of teaching, research and service.
After compiling and reviewing the responses, our strategy planning leadership team developed a list of topic areas for further evaluation and discussion. We have created six strategy focus teams composed of faculty, staff and students who have volunteered their time to explore these topics and later, provide recommendations for how the college will move forward. Your participation is helping to provide a basis for our college to be the best it can be.
You can learn more about the strategic planning process and see survey results posted at the college's Strategic Planning website.
International Programs office explores collaboration opportunities for CVM students and faculty in Puducherry veterinary school in India
Drs. Sanjeev Narayanan and Keith Hamilton recently returned from a visit to the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Veterinary Education and Research (RIVER) in Puducherry, India, where they are working to build collaborative projects for the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University for the benefit of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master of Public Health (MPH) students.
Drs. Keith Hamilton (left) and Sanjeev Narayanan meet with Dr. B. Rameshkumar, the dean at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Veterinary Education and Research in India.
Dr. Hamilton, executive director of International Programs in the veterinary college, explained that one advantage of developing a relationship with RIVER is that it would provide opportunities for DVM students to experience a high caseload and a wide range of diverse clinical presentations, which they would not commonly see in the United States. He said students would learn about different production systems and see huge biodiversity amongst local livestock populations.
RIVER boasts excellent facilities including large and small animal hospitals, research and diagnostic laboratories, and animal and crop production units. Participating students would develop an understanding about the importance of community engagement and have an opportunity to get involved in some of the extension projects that RIVER runs. Like Kansas State University, RIVER is linked to an agricultural college, providing students with the opportunity to learn about sustainable production tailored to a different environment.
The institute provides the infrastructure to support student exchanges including comfortable accommodation and highly experienced teaching faculty.
Dr. Narayanan anticipates this will be the first visit of many in the coming years. In the summer of 2017, he plans to visit again with the first group of K-State students.
“I’m excited about this opportunity for our students to expand their outlook and strengthen their problem solving skills in this stimulating and welcoming environment” said Dr. Narayanan, who is a professor in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology.
Dr. Ellyn Mulcahy, director of the MPH program, sees this as an excellent opportunity for MPH students.
“By working with RIVER faculty and developing relationships with extension and local public health professionals in Puducherry, we could develop some really interesting, impactful and worthwhile MPH Capstone and research projects,” she said.
Dr. Hamilton added, “We are specifically looking to develop opportunities for K-State CVM students and faculty to broaden their personal and professional horizons by spending time in exotic locations which also offer support of local faculty and infrastructure. Opportunities could include research projects, faculty and student exchanges, and externships.”
Puducherry is located on the coast, not far from the city of Chennai. It is a welcoming town with outstanding ambiance, food and culture, frequented by many tourists, particularly from France.
Drs. Hamilton and Narayanan tour various parts of Pondicherry and the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Veterinary Education and Research.
More Headlines
Beef Cattle Institute launches pregnancy analytics mobile app
The Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University is making it easier for producers and veterinarians to manage pregnancy diagnosis information with a new mobile app called Pregnancy Analytics.
Designed to serve as an instant data collection and analysis tool, the app will facilitate the transformation of data into actionable information for individual herds.
A new mobile app developed by Kansas State University's Beef Cattle Institute allows producers and veterinarians to manage pregnancy diagnosis information on cattle herds. Photo courtesy of Audrey Hambright.
Not only will the app allow cattlemen to input records chute-side with ease, but it will evaluate the success of the breeding program at the time that a herd is palpated and provide a benchmark for comparison against other herds in the region.
The app will accept the following information: • Pasture ID/herd name. • Breed — up to three breeds, or other cow description. • Cow ID. • Age. • Body condition score. • Number of days bred.
From this, projected calving dates are generated and graphs are created to display the distribution of the producer's future calving season.
"The Pregnancy Analytics app offers easier data entry than using a pen and paper while providing the immediate data assessment and visualization of a chute-side computer," said Dr. Robert Larson, the Roger E. and M. Elizabeth Coleman chair in food animal production medicine at Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. "Additionally, the data and report can be emailed to the client or stored on the device, and the data can be converted to a spreadsheet for further appraisal."
According to Dr. Brad White, interim director of the Beef Cattle Institute, or BCI, and professor of production medicine, this is the first of several interactive decision-making tools that will be designed for industry use.
"Veterinarians can use this app to convert pregnancy-check data to actionable information for their clients," he said. "This is the first of several apps that BCI will be releasing to enhance decision-making by veterinarians and their beef clients."
The Pregnancy Analytics app is available for download for Apple or Android markets. More information can be found at beefcattleinstitute.org, or contact 785-564-7459 for assistance.
Kansas State University's Beef Cattle Institute utilizes collaborative multidisciplinary expertise to promote successful beef production through the discovery and delivery of actionable information and innovative decision support tools. The institute's activities also are part of the university's leadership in global food systems.
Dr. Bob Larson receives 2016 Iman Teaching Award
The CVM’s Dr. Bob Larson was one of two Kansas State University faculty members to each receive a $5,000 award in recognition of outstanding research and teaching during a ceremony held Sept. 26 at the K-State Alumni Center.
Introduced in 2007, the annual Dr. Ron and Rae Iman Outstanding Faculty Awards are sponsored by the K-State Alumni Association and are made possible through the generosity of Ron and Rae Iman.
Dr. Bob Larson accepts the Iman Award at the K-State Alumni Center.
Dr. Bonnie Rush introduces Dr. Larson and explains why he was nominated for the Iman Award.
P.V. Vara Prasad, university distinguished professor of crop ecophysiology and director of the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Sustainable Intensification, received the Iman Outstanding Faculty Award for Research.
Dr. Larson’s award honors a full-time K-State faculty member for excellence in high-quality instruction, strong relationships with students inside and outside the classroom and a reputation for scholarship and distinguished service to the university.
His nominator, Dr. Bonnie Rush, executive associate dean, said, “Dr. Larson’s philosophy of teaching is to equip future veterinarians and advanced trainees with problem-solving skills that will support their careers regardless of their specific path. He has an excellent working knowledge of educational strategies that facilitate problem-solving skills and clearly outlines for students the importance of life-long learning.”
For nearly a decade, he has served as the executive director of continuing education for the College of Veterinary Medicine. He served two terms on the K-State Graduate Council and has served as chair of the Student Affairs Committee. From 2008 to 2009 he served as the interim director of the Master of Public Health program and currently advises more Master of Public Health students than any other faculty member.
Larson led local, national and international efforts to communicate the concepts of evidence-based medical decisions and was a charter member and first president of the Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine Association. In 2007, he was named a Food Systems Leadership Institute fellow.
"The accomplishments of Dr. Prasad and Dr. Larson have raised K-State's reputation worldwide and enhanced the educational experience of our students," said Amy Button Renz, president and CEO of the K-State Alumni Association. "These professors earned these honors through hard work and dedication to the pursuit of knowledge. We are also deeply appreciative to Ron and Rae Iman for their generous commitment to make these awards possible."
The Imans live in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They are life members of the K-State Alumni Association and serve as Kansas State University Foundation trustees. Ron Iman earned three degrees from K-State: a bachelor's degree in math education in 1962, a master's degree in 1970 and a doctorate in statistics in 1973. He is a past member of the association's board of directors, served as the association's representative to the KSU Research Foundation board and is a past chair of the Arts and Sciences Advisory Council. He received the university's Arts and Sciences Distinguished Service Award in 1996 and, in 1994, served as national president of the American Statistical Association. Ron Iman was named a Highly Cited Researcher by the Institute for Scientific Information in 2004.
Dr. Larson joins other previous Iman Award recipients from the College of Veterinary Medicine: Dr. Dan Marcus (2009) for the research award and Dr. Derek Mosier (2009) for the teaching award; Dr. T.G. Nagaraja for the research award (2012); Dr. Kenneth Harkin for the teaching award (2013); and Dr. Jürgen Richt for the research award (2014).
Hot Topic: Kansas State University contributes to potential Zika virus vaccine development
A research team that includes scientists with Kansas State University's Biosecurity Research Institute has developed a promising Zika virus vaccine. The vaccine, a DNA vaccine, is safer and more effective against Zika virus and could offer more affordable long-term protection, researchers said.
Aedes aegypti, or yellow fever mosquito, is one of the mosquito species that transmits Zika virus. The Aedes aegypti mosquito in this picture has white eyes, instead of the usual black eyes, and is known as the Higgs white-eyed strain. The strain was discovered and developed by Stephen Higgs, director of Kansas State University's Biosecurity Research Institute.
"This vaccine is a successful advancement in developing control strategies for Zika virus by creating widespread immunity in susceptible populations," said Dr. Stephen Higgs, director of the Biosecurity Research Institute. "One shot of DNA vaccine will offer protection for years at a much lower cost, which is especially beneficial for endemic countries in Latin America and Africa."
Dr. Higgs is a co-author of the vaccine study, "Rapid development of a DNA vaccine for Zika virus," that appears in the journal Science.
Researchers with the National Institutes of Health led the study, which also involves researchers at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Harvard Medical School, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Bioqual and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.
Kansas State University scientists in the College of Veterinary Medicine — including Dr. Dana Vanlandingham, assistant professor of virology, and Dr. Yan-Jang Huang, postdoctoral fellow in diagnostic medicine and pathobiology — played a critical role in the study by producing and characterizing viral stocks to determine how the DNA vaccine induced immunogenecity and protection.
DNA vaccines deliver noninfectious DNA materials to stimulate the immune system to produce viral antigens.
The DNA vaccine for Zika virus is more immunogenic and effective than other vaccines because it can create memory responses, which inactivated vaccines with killed viruses fail to produce, Dr. Higgs said. The DNA vaccine also is safer because it does not use attenuated viruses to produce viral antigens. Attenuated vaccines contain live microbes, which potentially can cause adverse events or harmful effects.
"We anticipate that this vaccine may have long-term memory immune response as other DNA vaccines also have achieved such a goal," Dr. Huang said. "The vaccine is a suitable and ideal tool as an emergency response to the current Zika virus outbreak and could build robust herd immunity."
The research is critical for the control of Zika virus at the preventive stage and at the population level, Dr. Vanlandingham said. The critical next step is to initiate safety and efficacy trials in humans.
"The availability of vaccines for Zika virus is more significant than any specific antiviral treatments," DR. Vanlandingham said. "Vaccination normally generates protective immunity that prevents the disease for years in a population at a relatively low cost; whereas, antiviral therapies can only be treating the diseases at a higher cost rather than offer long-term protection."
The research received startup funding from the diagnostic medicine and pathobiology department in the College of Veterinary Medicine. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research also provided funding.
Other Zika virus research at the Biosecurity Research Institute has involved a two-part approach: Researchers are studying mosquitoes to understand how they become infected with Zika virus and researchers are providing the virus to collaborative organizations for further study. Biosecurity Research Institute researchers recently found that Culex mosquitoes do not appear to transmit Zika virus.
Collaborative researchers on the Science publication included Kimberly A. Dowd, Sung-Youl Ko, Kaitlyn M. Morabito, Eun Sung Yang, Rebecca S. Pelc, Christina R. DeMaso, David N. Gordon, John Robert Gallagher, Xuejun Chen, John-Paul Todd, Audray Harris, Martha C. Nason, Mario Roederer, Wing-Pui Kong, John R. Mascola, Theodore C. Pierson and Barney S. Graham, all with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health; Leda R. Castilho, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro; Peter Abbink, Michael Boyd, Ramya Nityanandam and Dan H. Barouch, all with Harvard Medical School; Yaroslav Tsybovsky, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research; Hanne Andersen and Mark G. Lewis, both with Bioqual; and Rafael De La Barrera, Kenneth H. Eckels and Richard G. Jarman, all with the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.
Help celebrate One Health Day - Upcoming Event in Kansas City
On Nov. 3, individuals and groups from around the world will celebrate a collaborative approach to improving human, animal and planetary health called One Health. Kansas City is celebrating, too.
The Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute, BioKansas and Kansas State University Olathe are partnering to hold activities from 4-7 p.m. at the Kauffman Foundation. Activities include Collaborate2Cure, networking at a BioBreak and then a keynote presentation by world-renowned Zika expert, Dr. Stephen Higgs director of the BRI and DMP faculty member.
Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory seeks Kansas cattle producers for bovine anaplasmosis study
The Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is looking for Kansas cattle producers to participate in a study to determine the prevalence of bovine anaplasmosis in cow herds within the state and to investigate management risk factors associated with blood test results.
Alumni Events, Development and Continuing Education
The Veterinary Medical Alumni Association as plans to announce another alumni recognition award at the upcoming annual conference for the American Association of Bovine Practitioners. See who this year's recipient is in this month's VMAA highlights.
Bovine anaplasmosis is a blood disease caused by Anaplasma marginale which can cause adult-animal sudden death, abortion, weight loss, and a reduction in performance. Animals that become infected and survive become lifelong persistently-infected carriers. As carriers, they often show few or no symptoms and serve as a source of infection to the rest of the herd. Because of the nature of the disease, some herds remain at an unknown infection status.
Several studies have been completed assessing the prevalence of the disease in several U.S. states, but none have been completed in Kansas. The increase in the number of positive cases in Kansas test submissions to the KSVDL from 2013 to 2015 suggests either an increase in bovine anaplasmosis awareness among veterinarians or producers or the prevalence of the disease has increased in certain areas of the state.
In addition to estimating the level of anaplasmosis in Kansas cow-calf herds, this study will also investigate the different A. marginale strains present in Kansas. Differentiation is important because strains differ in the severity of clinical signs they produce, and the only vaccine available contains only one strain. This strain may be different than those present in some areas of Kansas, which might help explain the lack of vaccine effectiveness that has been reported.
The study involves collecting blood samples from 16,100 adult bovines, which will represent 1,610 Kansas cow-calf operations. The samples will be stored, and because they will represent a large portion of the Kansas cow-calf industry, they can be used in the future to discover the prevalence and risk factors associated with several other important bovine diseases including bovine viral diarrhea, Johne’s disease, and bovine leukosis.
Understanding anaplasmosis prevalence and the management factors that contribute to its presence in cow-calf herds will be important for formulating both prevention and disease management plans in the near future. This information will not only be useful for Kansas herds, but herds throughout the United States.
The targeted sampling period will start Oct. 1, 2016 with a targeted endpoint of Jan. 31, 2017.
Kansas veterinary practitioners will be calling on their clients to participate in this study. If you are selected to participate, the KSVDL encourages you to say yes, as your participation is important for the success of the project.
More information is available by contacting Gregg Hanzlicek, veterinarian with the KSVDL at 785-532-4853 or email gahanz@vet.k-state.edu.
Support the All-University Campaign with a Pet Friendly License Plate
Did you know that if you have a Pet Friendly license plate, it will count as credit toward the All-University Campaign? If you're a faculty or staff member at K-State who wants an easy way to support the All-University Campaign and immediately have something to show for it, then visit your local Kansas tag office. You make a $50 annual gift that goes to support education regarding spaying and neutering in Kansas and veterinary student externships at animal shelters in Kansas, plus a one-time production fee to the tag office. In your All-University Campaign packet, just indicate that you have a current Pet Friendly plate.
More activities and accomplishments in the College of Veterinary Medicine:
Dr. A. Sally Davis established a three-year cooperative agreement with the USDA, specifically with William Wilson at the ABADRU, ARS and USDA who is also an adjunct faculty at K-State, entitled, “Development of Tools for the Pathological Characterization of Rift Valley Fever Virus Infection.” As a result, she gets $50,000 in support for collaborative work with the ABADRU this year and an annually renegotiated amount each year thereafter.
Dr. Davis and second-year DVM student Cara Bocon, both won travel grants awards, $1,000 and $600 respectively, through the Mentor and Veterinary Research Scholars Program for the international pathobiology conference in Houston, Texas. Cara is co-mentored by Dr. Davis and William Wilson. Dr. Davis also became an editorial board member for Scientific Reports, a nature research journal http://www.nature.com/srep/. Dr. Davis is a member of the infectious diseases category.
Dr. Brian Lubbers attended the Western College of Veterinary Medicine/Prairie Diagnostic Services in Saskatchewan in September and gave presentations on antimicrobial resistance/stewardship and AMR surveillance programs.
Dr. Justin A. Thomason was a contributing author on "Effect of ractopamine hydrochlorideand zilpaterol hydrochloride on cardiac electrophysiologic and hematologic variables in finishing steers" published in JAVMA.
Drs. Walter Renberg and James Roush were contributing authors on "Effects of administration of adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction and platelet-rich plasma to dogs with osteoarthritis of the hip joints" published in AJVR, Vol.77, No. 9, September 2016.
Dr. David Biller provided seven presentations at the Veterinary Congress in Leon, Mexico Sept. 6-10.
Dr. Mike Apley presented on records, treatment protocols, and Veterinary Feed Directive at Cowboy College in Dodge City, Kansas, Sept. 8-9. He served as vice president at AABP Sept. 11-18. Dr. Apley presented to the general session as well as six different clinical forums regarding VFD, and he spoke at the Southwest Veterinary Symposium in Dallas on Sept. 30.
Three veterinary students who are a part of the Shelter Medicine Club volunteered their time when the Salina Animal Shelter reached out to Ron Orchard, Veterinary Technician, when their original volunteers back out. Sara Lange, Shannon Keane and Nicole San Jose helped the Salina Animal Shelter with their annual fundraising event, which was able to raise $1,650.
Dr. Mark Weiss reports that a group from the CVM participated in the First City Science Fair in Leavenworth, Kansas, where they helped lead STEM presentations. About 600 kids from three school districts (Patton, Lansing and Warren) were in attendance.
"Our team’s contribution helped make this a successful event," Dr. Weiss said. "Kansas State University students and faculty contributed approximately 36 hours of content and assisted with clean up following the event. Thank you to the presenters: Dr. Larry Snyder (KSU DVM, KSU graduate student) put on 'It’s a bloody mess' (blood, blood born parasites). Dr. Joan Murnane (KSU special volunteer in Physiology) put on 'A Bag of Bones' (comparative anatomy, form and function). Javier Abello (KSU graduate student) and Payge Fleming (KSU DVM student) put on 'It in your GENES' (Genes and DNA structure, DNA isolation). Micahel Zulinga (KSU undergraduate) for helping me put on 'Protect your melon' (basic neuroanatomy, traumatic brain injury)."
Dr. Weiss also acknowledged two more people. "First, Javier Abello (or should we call him Albertico Bocanegra?) rose to the challenge with costume and script," he said. "Javier prepared beautiful posters. He challenged the rest of us to raise our game. Extra special thanks to Dr. Joan Murnane. Joan got us off our 'apathy.' Joan’s organizational skills and inspiring leadership was largely responsible the success of the mission."
Dr. Weiss thanked the Rotary club for providing financial support; Drs. Judy Klimek and Zsolt Szladovits and to Ms. Sandy Rich for providing Gross Anatomy teaching specimens and microscopes; Dr. Michael Dryden for parasitology teaching specimens; Anita Cortez for helping Michael Zulinga get released from class so he could attend; and Dr. Ronnie Elmore for providing CVM pens and pencils, bookmarks and literature which we distributed at the event. He thanked Walmart and Dillons for providing materials used in demos and Susie Larson for printing our posters.
Congratulations to Dr. Megan Niederwerder who was recognized this past July at the 2016 Merial–National Institutes of Health National Veterinary Scholars Symposium as a finalist for the 2016 Young Investigator Award, co-sponsored by the AVMA and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. The Young Investigator Award is given to graduate veterinarians pursuing or having recently completed advanced research training through doctoral or postdoctoral programs. From 36 applicants, Dr. Niederwerder was one of the top five finalists who were selected by a panel of researchers at the host school and presented their research at the symposium. She was also invited to participate in the Burroughs Wellcome Fund "Becoming Faculty" Workshop. The symposium and workshop were held at Ohio State University.
Dr. Niederwerder, an assistant professor in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology and Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, was selected as a finalist for her research, “Microbiome associations in pigs with the best and worst clinical outcomes following coinfection with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2).”
"To be recognized as a veterinarian in research by the AVMA was a tremendous honor for me," Dr. Niederwerder said. "It was truly a privilege to be selected as a finalist for the Young Investigator Award and have the opportunity to present my work on the swine microbiome to veterinary students from around the country. I have received overwhelming support and mentoring from the members of our department and college. As a young investigator and new faculty member, I am grateful for this support and was thrilled to represent Kansas State University at the symposium."
Finalists for the 2016 Young Investigator Award, co-sponsored by the AVMA and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, were (from left) Drs. Maciej Parys, Elshafa Ahmed, Nora Springer, Yung-Yi Mosley, and Megan C. Niederwerder. Dr. Parys took first place, Dr. Springer placed second, and Dr. Ahmed placed third.
Veterinary action from Africa takes three prizes in ‘Veterinarians Around the World’ photo competition
“Conservation in Motion” by Joel Alves is the first-place winner in the “Veterinarians Around the World” photo competition organized by the International Programs office.
A dramatic image of wildlife veterinarians fighting against the clock to save rhinos from poachers in South Africa’s Kruger National Park was selected for first place, highlighting the work of “Veterinarians Around the World” – the theme of a contest organized by the office of International Programs in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University.
“Conservation in Motion” was captured by Joel Alves, a veterinary student at Onderstepoort Faculty of Veterinary Science, University or Pretoria, South Africa, earning the top prize of $1,000. His black-and-white photo portrays the role of wildlife veterinarians in protecting rhinos, which has become increasingly important. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) the number of rhinos poached in South Africa has increased 9,000 percent since 2007.
The two runners up, have an educational theme. “Afternoon recess” was taken by Jamie Neufeld, veterinary student at Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Canada. Her photo shows school children in Uganda captivated by interns from Veterinarians Without Borders taking a blood sample from a goat who shares their soccer field with them. Peter Kimeli, a postgraduate student at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, submitted “Taking Charge of Our Future: A Vision for Veterinary Professionals” featuring himself and his young daughter helping to examine a calf. The two runners up each received a $500 cash prize.
The winners come from a total of 240 different photos that were submitted by students from 35 countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa depicting animal health, One Health, wildlife conservation, food safety and food security.
Entries were judged by a multidisciplinary panel on the criteria of eligibility, originality, style, context and quality of photograph. The top 12 photographs will be published in a calendar with an acknowledgement to each photographer.
“We are delighted with the number of entries and by the quality of the photos,” said Dr. Keith Hamilton, executive director of International Programs. “As we had hoped the images highlight the diverse work of veterinarians in different countries.”
Entries were open to students pursuing a veterinary (e.g. DVM, BVSc, BVMS, or equivalent), undergraduate (e.g. bachelors), or postgraduate/graduate (e.g. masters, certificate, diploma, or PhD) degree from anywhere in the world.
The photos and information about the photos are posted at the International Programs website: http://www.vet.k-state.edu/international/events/photo-comp.html. Contact International Programs at international@vet.k-state.edu or 785-532-4685 with any questions.
“Afternoon Recess” by Jamie Neufeld earned runner-up honors (above) along with “Taking Charge of Our Future: A Vision for Veterinary Professionals” by Peter Kimeli.
Fourth-years have a ‘Royal’ time
Three fourth-year veterinary students, Yaoqin Shen, Joanna Wilson and Brett Fischer, deliver 10-minute presentations to elementary school students and their teachers at the American Royal Association Livestock Show in Kansas City, Missouri.
Kerryann Kocher of Bayer Animal Health presents a $10,000 scholarship check for Bayer Veterinary Scholars to Dean Tammy Beckham at the American Royal.
A group of fourth-year students help take care of the animals at the Birthing Center at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson. It was a busy year that included the birth of two sets of twins and a litter of 14 piglets. Standing (from left): Jake Nightingale, Chris Eckert, Lauren Christensen, Alissa Kirchhoff, Joanna Wilson and Erin Schmidt. Dr. Dan Thomson is kneeling at bottom right. Erin was featured in a special story in the Hutchinson News: "Work with calves helps nurture life goals; Quick hit: Erin Schmidt living her dream in the Birthing Center."
Dr. Melinda Wilkerson retires from the CVM
Congratulations to Dr. Melinda Wilkerson who is retiring from the CVM, but she will now become a faculty member of St. George’s University in Grenada, West Indies. She says she will continue collaborations with Kansas State University, and now be an adjunct member of the DMP faculty.
Lifelines is published each month by the Marketing and Communications Office at the College of Veterinary Medicine. The editor is Joe Montgomery, jmontgom@vet.k-state.edu.
A special message and thank-you from Dean Tammy Beckham
The Veterinary Medical Alumni Association as plans to announce another alumni recognition award at the upcoming annual conference for the American Association of Bovine Practitioners. See who this year's recipient is in this month's VMAA highlights.
Did you know that if you have a Pet Friendly license plate, it will count as credit toward the All-University Campaign? If you're a faculty or staff member at K-State who wants an easy way to support the All-University Campaign and immediately have something to show for it, then visit your local Kansas tag office. You make a $50 annual gift that goes to support education regarding spaying and neutering in Kansas and veterinary student externships at animal shelters in Kansas, plus a one-time production fee to the tag office. In your All-University Campaign packet, just indicate that you have a current Pet Friendly plate.
Ashley McCowan
Dana Parker
Congratulations to Dr. Megan Niederwerder who was recognized this past July at the 2016 Merial–National Institutes of Health National Veterinary Scholars Symposium as a finalist for the 2016 Young Investigator Award, co-sponsored by the AVMA and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. The Young Investigator Award is given to graduate veterinarians pursuing or having recently completed advanced research training through doctoral or postdoctoral programs. From 36 applicants, Dr. Niederwerder was one of the top five finalists who were selected by a panel of researchers at the host school and presented their research at the symposium. She was also invited to participate in the Burroughs Wellcome Fund "Becoming Faculty" Workshop. The symposium and workshop were held at Ohio State University. 
