About Phi Zeta Research Day
The primary activity for the Society of Phi Zeta Sigma Chapter is our annual Research Day. The Research Day was established to showcase the research efforts of veterinary students, house officers, graduate students, and instructors at the College of Veterinary Medicine.
All researchers within the College of Veterinary Medicine are encouraged to participate as this day provides a unique opportunity to share research in a local, encouraging and instructional environment. It is also an excellent opportunity to network, establishing mentorships and research collaborations within the College.
Both oral and poster presentations are received, and awards for these are conferred during a Reception and Ceremony that evening. Additional scholarships and awards are also presented, including the A.S.R. Ganta Veterinary Student and Graduate Student Awards, the Benjamin Kurz Research Scholarship, the Dr. Horst W. and Elizabeth A. Leipold Award, the Miller Pathology Scholarship, the Dr. Harish C. and Ved K. Minocha Scholarship, the Dr. Charles E. Cornelius Award in Anatomy and Physiology, the Mahlon Vorhies Production Animal Award, and finally the prestigious Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence to an outstanding member of faculty.
Zoetis and Royal Canin are proud sponsors of the Society of Phi Zeta Sigma Chapter’s Research Day.
Phi Zeta Research Day 2025
March 11, 2025
Keynote Speaker - Dr. Ken Burton
Kansas Phi Zeta Research Day Keynote Speaker
“Life is a Highway – Explore the Scenic Route”
Kenneth R. Burton, DVM
NBAF Deputy Director
Dr. Ken Burton received his Bachelor of Science in biology and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University. He owned and operated the Lyons Veterinary Clinic in Lyons,, for 28 years, where he provided veterinary medicine and surgical services for companion animals and food animal production in rural Rice County.
In 2010, Dr. Burton became program director for the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center (NABC) at K-State. He was principal investigator and co-principal investigator on projects involving transboundary animal disease response planning, training and education at the national, state and local levels.
Burton also was director of project coordination for the Biosecurity Research Institute (BRI) at K-State. He oversaw BSL-3, ABSL-3, and BSL-3Ag research scheduling, research transition to containment, communications between research teams and BRI staff, and directed pre-project coordination prior to containment. He also provided veterinary support for transboundary animal disease projects in containment.
Dr. Burton served as the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) coordinator and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) lead for USDA/NBAF from October 2018 until December 2021. Then he transferred from APHIS to the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) at NBAF and assumed the position of NBAF deputy director.