2026 Veterinary Research Scholars
Scholar: Jake Boley, KSU CVM Class of 2029
Mentor: Phillip Lancaster MS, PhD
VRSP Project: Improving cow herd sustainability modeling by developing simulated cow fertility genotypes
Scholar: Rahul Chopra, KSU CVM Class of 2029
Mentor: Clay Hallman DVM, DACVR
VRSP Project: Creating realistic ultrasound phantoms of the canine abdomen using 3D printed materials
Scholar: Maya Encinosa, University of Florida
Mentor: Stacey Scroggs PhD, MPH
VRSP Project: Development of embryonated chicken eggs as a biting midge transmission model for vesicular stomatitis virus
Scholar: Jasmine Foth, KSU CVM Class of 2029
Mentor: David Upchurch DVM, MS, DACVS-SA
VRSP Project: Cadaveric study of a "reverse Boari" flap for repair of proximal urethral defects in dogs
Scholar: Nathan Frater, KSU CVM Class of 2029
Mentor: Phillip Shults PhD
VRSP Project: Testing pesticide retention in wild insects collected for inclusion in livestock diets
Scholar: Sydney Keller, KSU CVM Class of 2029
Mentor: Todd Gunderson DVM, MS, ACVPM
VRSP Project: Validation of chute-side Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis platforms
Scholar: Elka Miles, KSU CVM Class of 2028
Mentor: Eduarda Bortoluzzi MV, MS, PhD
VRSP Project: Effects of environmental enrichment use on behavior time budgets of goats housed in confined pens
Scholar: Abby Morris, KSU CVM Class of 2028
Mentor: Chieko Azuma DVM, PhD, DACVR
VRSP Project: Evaluation of ELISA for quantification of Imidacloprid in feline testicular tissues from TNR cats in Kansas
Scholar: Emma Prybylski, University of Minnesota
Mentor: Bethany McGregor MS, PhD
VRSP Project: Effect of larval density on Culex tarsalis infection with Cache Valley virus
Scholar: Tyler Ringel, KSU CVM Class of 2029
Mentor: T.G. Nagaraja BVSc, MVSc, PhD
VRSP Project: Lung as a portal of entry for Fusobacterium necrophorum and a potential pathway for dissemination into the liver
Scholar: Kate Rudigier, KSU CVM Class of 2028
Mentor: Nate Kapaldo DVM, MPH, DACVAA
VRSP Project: Pharmacokinetics and Tolerability of Ketamine Administered by Oral, Oral-Transmucosal, and Subcutaneous Routes in Healthy Dogs
Scholar: Annika Senn, KSU CVM Class of 2028
Mentor: Jordan Gebhardt DVM, PhD
VRSP Project: Effect of sanitation practices on animal health in swine facilities
Scholar: Sydney Sontag, KSU CVM Class of 2028
Mentor: Ron Orchard DVM, MPH
VRSP Project: Sounding out stress: Evaluating the relationship between shelter noise, physiological stress, and scent-based environmental interventions in dogs
Scholar: Carissa Torres, KSU CVM Class of 2029
Mentor: Butch KuKanich DVM, PhD, DACVCP
VRSP Project: Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Drug Interactions of Phenytoin in Dogs
Scholar: Renee Trout, KSU CVM Class of 2029
Mentor: Kamilyah Miller DVM, PhD
VRSP Project: Parasites of coyotes: A public health perspective
Scholar: Payton Wilber, KSU CVM Class of 2028
Mentor: Jakob Trimpert DVM, PhD
VRSP Project: The Evolution of Exclusion: Can Viruses Evolve Faster Superinfection Exclusion?
Scholar: Sarah Zdansky, KSU CVM Class of 2029
Mentor: Sergei Raev DVM, PhD
VRSP Project: Development and pre-challenge evaluation of an autogenous killed vaccine against Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus