Terrific trio is touted for their talent and tenacity: Drs. Bob Larson, Lisa Pohlman and Emily Reppert
Three faculty members have been recognized for preclinical teaching excellence in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University. Drs. Robert Larson, Lisa Pohlman and Emily Reppert were each named as the respective top teachers for the first, second and third years of instruction, as voted on by each respective class of students at the end of the 2016-2017 school year.
Above: Dr. Elizabeth Davis (left), department head for clinical sciences, presents the first-year teaching award to Dr. Robert Larson.
Dr. Pohlman with her dog “Flopsy”. She is on sabbatical and will formally receive the second-year teaching award at a later date. (Photo credit, Little Leapling Photography).
Dr. Davis presents the third-year award to Dr. Emily Reppert.
"These pre-clinical teaching awards began in 2004 as part of an effort by the college to recognize exceptional teaching at every stage of the veterinary curriculum," explained Dr. Peggy Schmidt, associate dean for academic programs and student affairs. "Students have chosen these faculty for their exceptional teaching and dedication to student learning. This year's recipients are outstanding educators and well deserving of this recognition."
Dr. Larson was named as the recipient of the 2017 Boeringer Ingelheim Teaching Excellence Award, which is presented in recognition of outstanding instruction of first-year veterinary students. He earned his doctor of veterinary medicine degree in 1987 and a doctorate in 1992, both from K-State. He has been a professor of food animal production medicine since 2006 and holds the Coleman Chair in Food Animal/Production Medicine. Dr. Larson became is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, American College of Animal Nutrition and American College of Theriogenlogy.
"I have the privilege to teach highly motivated and talented students," Dr. Larson said. "I feel blessed to be able to have a career where my love for veterinary medicine and my enjoyment of seeing bright students comprehend challenging subjects are rewarded on a daily basis. I am confident that our profession is in very capable hands when I think about the next generation of veterinarians who are being trained at Kansas State University."
Dr. Pohlman was given the 2017 Teaching Excellence in the Second Year Award in recognition of outstanding instruction of second-year veterinary students. She is currently on sabbatical and will be presented with the award at a later date. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Guelph, Canada, in 2001 and a master's degree from Auburn University in 2007. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists.
"I want to express tremendous thanks to the class of 2019 for selecting me for this award; it was an absolute pleasure to teach you," Dr. Pohlman said. "It is wonderful to be able to teach veterinary students in a discipline that I am so passionate about. I would also like to express my gratitude to the team I had behind me in putting this course together – the clinical pathology group, Gina Scott, and Mal Hoover – for all their assistance and creativity."
Dr. Reppert received the 2017 Teaching Excellence in the Third Year Award sponsored by Zoetis. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University in 2010. She then completed an internship and a residency in food animal internal medicine and surgery at Oklahoma State University. While at Oklahoma State University, Dr. Reppert completed a master's degree in 2014.
"I am incredibly flattered to be honored with this award and would like to thank the students for selecting me," Dr. Reppert said. "I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with faculty and house officers that are dedicated to training the very best veterinarians."
Dr. Bob Rowland lands grants from NIFA and National Pork Board
A new pair of research grants will help a Kansas State University research laboratory utilize genetic modification as a method of preventing one of the most devastating and costly diseases found in swine.
Dr. Raymond "Bob" Rowland, professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine, is a leading researcher in the area of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, or PRRSV. His latest efforts focus on the modification of the CD163 protein found in swine.
Dr. Bob Rowland focuses on finding a genetic method for controlling PRRS.
“Vaccines and other control measures have not proved effective and a new generation of vaccines is still years away,” Dr. Rowland said. “Our previous work showed that genetically modified pigs, which lack expression of CD163 on macrophages, are completely resistant to infection with PRRSV. Since CD163 is important for homeostasis, including the regulation of inflammation and immunity, the goal of the proposed project is to construct a pig that possesses a modified CD163 that prevents PRRSV infection while retaining normal CD163 biological functions.”
The role of CD163 is so compelling that Dr. Rowland was able to obtain funding from two different organizations. The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded $331,450 to Dr. Rowland for his research proposal entitled, “Preventing PRRS through modifications in the virus receptor, CD163.” The National Pork Board awarded him with $66,576 for a separate proposal entitled, "Adaptation of PRRSV to genetic modifications in CD163."
“The construction of pigs with genetically modified CD163 provides a practical and realistic approach for eliminating PRRS,” Dr. Rowland said. “There could be additional benefits too, such as the elimination of the costs associated with PRRS vaccination, diagnostic testing and PRRSV-specific biosecurity measures, such as barn filtration.”
Dr. Rowland explained how this research utilizes genomic sequencing techniques, which has become popular.
“The results from this method of research will enable us to identify the viral genes and amino acids involved in the interaction between the virus and CD163,” Dr. Rowland said. “The proteins and peptide sequences in viral proteins that interact with CD163 can be used as protective antigens in vaccine formulations. In addition, the interruption of the CD163-PRRSV interaction by small molecules creates opportunities to explore alternative therapeutics, such as antivirals, so this research opens up a whole series of possibilities. We really appreciate the support we have received from the NIFA and the National Pork Board.”
Joint DVM agreement expands in China
K-State veterinary faculty recently brushed up on how to say “Hello” and “Thank You” in Chinese for a memorandum-of-understanding (MOU) signing ceremony held in Beijing, China, Oct. 19.
The ceremony was in support of the U.S.-China Joint DVM Scholarship Program, which was initiated in 2012 by the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health at Kansas State University, along with the China Agricultural University and Chinese Veterinary Medical Association. The Joint DVM Program has been sponsored by China Scholarship Council, Kansas State University and Zoetis/International Veterinary Collaboration for China (IVCC).
(click image to enlarge) Rimma Driscoll, vice president of business development for Zoetis); Dr. Frank Blecha, associate dean for research in the CVM; and Xin Shengpeng, secretary–general of the Chinese Veterinary Medical Association sign a historic new agreement. Back Row: Wang Ming, vice president of the CVMA; Juan Ramon Alaix, CEO of Zoetis; Dong Zhixue, director of the Division of American and Oceanian Affairs for the China Scholarship Council; Jonathan Fritz, acting deputy chief of mission for the U.S. Embassy; Chen Guanghua, deputy director general of the Veterinary Bureau at Ministry of Agriculture in China; Jia Youling, president of the Chinese Horse Industry Association and the first president of the CVMA; Cai Xuepeng, director general of the China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control in the Ministry of Agriculture; Dr. Jishu Shi, director of the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health (at the CVM); and Mike Wang, vice president and Greater China cluster head, Zoetis.
Zoetis originally provided funding to the program for 30 students’ pre-veterinary tuition and related activities. The China Scholarship Council has provided full-ride scholarships for four years of DVM tuition and five years for living stipends. Kansas State University has sponsored the program by providing program management service and additional scholarships.
For the new MOU, Zoetis will continue to support the program by providing pre-veterinary tuition funding for an additional 15 students with Kansas State University and the Chinese Veterinary Medical Association.
“The U.S.-China Joint DVM Program advances veterinary education and promotes the development of the animal health industry in China,” said Rimma Driscoll, vice president, Business Development and Commercial Alliances, at Zoetis. “Since 2012, Zoetis, along with the IVCC, has stood behind this remarkable program, and we look forward to continuing with that assistance.”
“The signing ceremony on Oct. 19 was a great opportunity for us to invite all supporters to celebrate and witness the U.S.-China public-private partnership on veterinary education and welcome the program inaugural DVM graduates coming back to China,” said Dr. Jishu Shi, director of the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health at Kansas State University.
The US-China Joint DVM Program is a five-year training program with one year of pre-veterinary study at Kansas State University and four years of veterinary study at Kansas State University or one of three other U.S. partnering schools. Once students receive Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degrees, they will return to China to advance veterinary education and promote animal health, public health and food safety under the concept of “One World, One Health.”
In May, the program graduated four inaugural DVMs who are the first government-sponsored Chinese DVMs since 1949. Now, these four graduates are recruited by the China Agricultural University and Huanzhong Agricultural University as associate professors.
“Today, more than ever before, veterinary medicine has a global mission and responsibility, said Dr. Frank Blecha, associate dean for research. “With our first DVMs from this program returning to China this year, it is appropriate and exciting for all of us to re-dedicate ourselves to this important international veterinary educational program as it foretells a bright future for veterinary medical collaboration in the world.”
The signing event was held at the Grand Hyatt in Beijing, China. Along with Dr. Shi and Dr. Blecha, Kansas State University was represented by Lei Wang, manager of the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health, as its representatives who spoke at the ceremony.
K-State clinician restores sight to blind baby ape
Meet Dr. Jessica Meekins in this Scaly Adventures video. She's the Veterinarian who restored the eyesight to the baby Gibbon from Monkey Island Rescue, which is featured in episode 5 of this season, on Nov. 11 at 11 am CST!
