Current News & Events

Phi Zeta Research Day 2023 was March 7, 2023, and three CORE graduate students participated in the event. Lucas Horton gave an oral presentation titled “Pooled Analyses of Three Randomized Controlled Trials Comparing Effects of Two Hormonal Implant Programs and Differing Days-On-Feed on Carcass Characteristics and Feedlot Performance of Beef Heifers.” Taylor McAtee presented her poster, “Sustainability and Outcomes Research Approaches to Comprehensively Assess Interventions in Feedlots.” Stephen Edache presented his poster, “Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Postbiotic Product in Reducing Salmonella Prevalence in the Subiliac Lymph Nodes of Culled Dairy Cattle.” Stephen received the Dr. Harish C. and Ved K. Minocha Scholarship at the event.

CORE members participated in the Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases (CRWAD) 2023 held in Chicago, Illinois, with scientists and graduate students providing scientific presentations including Dr. Karla Moreno, Dr. Stephen Edache, Lucas Horton, and Taylor McAtee.

Dr. Stephen Edache

Taylor McAtee gives a presentation in Chicago

Lucas Horton, PhD candidate at CORE was awarded first place in The Association of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine (AVEPM) graduate student award competition for his presentation entitled “Outcomes affected by metaphylaxis from a clinical trial of feedlot calves at medium-risk for respiratory disease.

Congratulations to Lucas Horton on earning a first-place award

Dr. David Renter was elected as a CRWAD Fellow. He was one of nine international scientists recognized as a Fellow at the 2023 Annual Conference. Fellows of the Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases represent an eminent cadre of scientists from all types of research careers, including academia, industry, and government. Election as a CRWAD Fellow is a lifetime honor and all Fellows meet the highest standards of professional ethics and scientific integrity. Scientists recognized as CRWAD Fellows have distinguished research careers evidenced by the outstanding impact and importance of their work, and their ability to communicate and interpret science to stakeholders and the public. Fellows have made significant contributions to scientific literature reflecting fundamental discoveries and/or innovative applied research in animal health and disease, population health, and translational medicine. Reflecting the tradition and spirit of CRWAD, mentoring of young research scientists in furthering their careers is an important contribution of CRWAD Fellows. CRWAD Fellows are scientists who have made sustained and notable contributions to CRWAD through service or participation in the CRWAD organization and annual meetings.

Dr. David Renter is elected as a CRWAD Fellow for 2023

This year, CORE helped sponsor the AVEPM Calvin Schwabe symposium entitled “Veterinary epidemiology and animal health economics: the way we were”. The honoree this year was Dr. Tim Carpenter, PhD MS, University of California, Davis. Additional keynote speakers included Drs. Karl Rich, Michael Ward, and Mark Stevenson.

A select group of Kansas State University veterinary students spent this summer working with faculty mentors on high-level research projects. While hosting a record number of participants, the Veterinary Research Scholars Program presented a brand-new mentoring award to one of the faculty members on July 29.

"There are many excellent faculty researchers who mentor scholars in this program, both within the College of Veterinary Medicine and across the Kansas State University campus," said Kate KuKanich, professor of small animal internal medicine and director of the Veterinary Research Scholars Program. "Scholars work with their mentors day-to-day to learn laboratory techniques and various procedures for data collection, and participate in weekly journal clubs and interactive workshops to learn about research ethics, how to present research findings and veterinary career opportunities involving research."

This year, the competitive three-month summer program hosted 23 students who were then paired with faculty researchers.

"The goal of the Veterinary Research Scholars Program is to introduce veterinary students to biomedical research through an engaging summer experience and to encourage these talented veterinary professional students to enter veterinary careers involving research," KuKanich said. "At the end of the summer, scholars presented their research posters for K-State faculty and research colleagues, students, alumni, and corporate friends and donors. We were delighted to present an inaugural mentoring award to Dr. Natalia Cernicchiaro, who was nominated by Stephen Edache, a visiting scholar from Nigeria."

The mentoring award is sponsored by Elanco and includes a $1,000 stipend for the recipient.

"We had a number of excellent mentors nominated, confirming the strength of our mentor pool and the dedication of our mentors to their scholars and the VRSP, and we are so appreciative of Elanco for their support," KuKanich said.

Cernicchiaro, an associate professor of epidemiology, mentored Edache's project, which focused on how a preharvest fermentation product can reduce salmonella in cattle lymph nodes. Edache plans to return to K-State to work on a master's degree with Cernicchiaro after he completes his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine studies in Nigeria.

"I am truly honored and grateful to be the recipient of this inaugural award," Cernicchiaro said. "I have been extremely fortunate to work with brilliant and hard-working VRSP students over the years, and this year was no exception. The VRSP not only gives students an introduction to research but also faculty the possibility to attract and recruit very talented students for a graduate research program."

"We support the VRSP at K-State because we appreciate the role dedicated mentors make helping scholars be more successful and influence their potential career in research," said Ernst Heinen, vice president of clinical operations and technical development at Elanco, who was present to congratulate Cernicchiaro.

Other student projects this year included the use of various pharmaceutical substances to relieve pain in different species, analysis of SARS-CoV-2, vector-borne disease transmission and more.

Kansas State University graduate students are getting advanced training and are making beneficial connections with industry and government partners through the Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

“When faculty and graduate students work directly with external partners in public and private sectors, their applied research is more relevant and impactful,” said Dr. David Renter, associate head of the department. “These collaborations also lead to better graduate program experiences for our students, and pathobiology program graduates with a more customized set of skills, abilities, and knowledge that are directly aligned with stakeholders needs.”

Dr. Renter said an established beef industry partnership has led to an innovative program designed to develop hands‐on skills that enable top‐quality research and science‐based health and production management decisions.

Lucas Horton works in the field to study beef production systems research.

Lucas Horton, a doctoral student in the pathobiology program, is receiving advanced training in epidemiology, research methods, and economics, and regularly works “in the field” on commercial beef production systems research with Dr. Brandon Depenbusch, vice president of cattle operations at Innovative Livestock Services (ILS), which Dr. Renter describes as one of largest and most innovative cattle feeding organizations in the Midwest.

“I think many past and present students would be envious of this opportunity presented to Lucas,” Dr. Depenbusch said. “This program offers a unique balance of applied field research with a first-class education. Our company benefits from having access to a very talented student to assist with in-house research trials and we get the opportunity to assist in the development of the next generation of researchers.”

Although Horton is just one year into his program, Dr. Renter said he has already contributed to projects addressing animal well-being, antimicrobial use, beef carcass quality, and production economics.

“Engagement with private industry and government organizations is integral to our land-grant mission as it enables us to serve the research and training needs of Kansas, the nation and the international community,” Dr. Renter added. “Many of our graduate students are ultimately employed by government organizations or private industry. Working directly with these stakeholders during their graduate programs can provide benefits for the student, faculty and stakeholders.”

Diana Dewsbury, who is pursuing her doctorate, contributes to research at the Veterinary and Biomedical Research Center Inc., or VBRC.

Diana Dewsbury is another student who is pursuing a doctorate while working directly with a private-sector partner. In addition to her academic training under her advisor Dr. Natalia Cernicchiaro, Diana regularly contributes to research at the Veterinary and Biomedical Research Center Inc., or VBRC.

“Working at VBRC has been a great learning experience and opportunity to collaborate with many different companies while gaining exposure to working with a variety of animal species, different study designs, and types of research studies,” Dewsbury said, citing good laboratory practices, good clinical practices, novel pilot work and challenge studies as examples. “After completing a master’s degree and working in industry for a few years, my current program provides unique practical experience and opportunity to be involved in study design, protocol development, live-phase animal research, statistical analysis, and reporting of study results.”

Dewsbury said that receiving top-notch academic training paired with opportunities to be involved in current animal health research in both academic and commercial industry settings is a unique opportunity that has been invaluable to her career and personal development.

“In addition to working with various sectors of private industry, our students and faculty also frequently collaborate with state and federal government organizations,” Dr. Renter said.

MaRyka Smith studied under Dr. Mike Sanderson on animal disease traceability.

MaRyka Smith, a concurrent Doctor of Veterinary Medicine/doctoral student, and her adviser, Dr. Mike Sanderson, are working with the Animal Disease Traceability group at the USDA’s Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health. Their collaborative work aims to help prepare plans for addressing a potential outbreak of food and mouth disease (FMD) in the United States. They will determine the impact of improved cattle traceability for FMD response and how to optimize resources for enhanced traceability.

“Working with our collaborators at the USDA has allowed me to not only to be involved in research that benefits animal health, but also to get an inside look at potential career paths outside of academia and industry,” Smith said.

Dr. Sanderson added, “The funding from CEAH allows us to do important work that will have a positive impact on agriculture and animal health policy decisions.”

“These students and others like them are having extremely important positive impacts on real-world problems,” Dr. Renter said. “Through their unique experiences and training, they will be well-prepared to address the future needs of our stakeholders.”