2026 Veterinary Research Scholars

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

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

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

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

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

Sydney Keller, KSU CVM Class of 2029
Mentor: Todd Gunderson DVM, MS, ACVPM
- VRSP Project: Validation of chute-side Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis platforms

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

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

Emma Prybylski, University of Minnesota
Mentor: Bethany McGregor MS, PhD
- VRSP Project: Effect of larval density on Culex tarsalis infection with Cache Valley virus

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

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

Annika Senn, KSU CVM Class of 2028
Mentor: Jordan Gebhardt DVM, PhD
- VRSP Project: Effect of sanitation practices on animal health in swine facilities

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

Carissa Torres, KSU CVM Class of 2029
Mentor: Butch KuKanich DVM, PhD, DACVCP
- VRSP Project: Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Drug Interactions of Phenytoin in Dogs

Renee Trout, KSU CVM Class of 2029
Mentor: Kamilyah Miller DVM, PhD
- VRSP Project: Parasites of coyotes: A public health perspective

Payton Wilber, KSU CVM Class of 2028
Mentor: Jakob Trimpert DVM, PhD
- VRSP Project: The Evolution of Exclusion: Can Viruses Evolve Faster Superinfection Exclusion?

Sarah Zdansky, KSU CVM Class of 2029
Mentor: Sergei Raev DVM, PhD
- VRSP Project: Development of a L1C.5-based Autogenous Inactivated PRRSV Vaccine and Pre Challenge Evaluation of Safety and Magnitude of Immune Responses Compared with HP PRRSV MLV Vaccination