Clinical Sciences Welcomes New Faculty Members
The CSU Department of Clinical Sciences welcomes Drs. Melinda Story, Melissa King and Yvette S. Nout-Lomas, who join faculty and staff working at the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Both Story and King return to their alma mater with new roles in the CSU Equine Orthopaedic Research Center.
Story received her bachelor’s degree in 1994 and her D.V.M. in 1999 from CSU; she returns as a certified veterinary acupuncturist and chiropractor.
King, a board-certified equine sports medicine and rehabilitation specialist, received her D.V.M. from CSU in 1997.
Nout-Lomas, who joins CSU from the University of California, received her D.V.M. on 1999 from Utrecht University in the Netherlands. She completed an internship and two residencies in equine medicine and received a master’s degree in equine exercise physiology and a Ph.D. in neuroscience at The Ohio State University.
Grants Awarded by Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute
The Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CCTSI) awarded 22 grants for its 2014 pilot research programs. CSU received funding for two projects that are part of University of Colorado collaborations and four projects in the Colorado State University program.
Each project in the CSU-CU collaboration was awarded a $60,000 grant:
"Characterization of zebrafish models of filamin C cardiomyopathy," Deborah Garrity, CSU associate professor of biology; Dr. Luisa Mestroni and Dr. Matthew Taylor, both with CU Anschutz Medical Campus, Division of Cardiology.
"Changing industries, landscapes and environments: implications for the public’s health in Colorado," Jennifer Peel, CSU epidemiologist and associate professor in the Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences; and Jill Litt, CU Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Environmental Health.
Each faculty project in the CSU pilot program received a $25,000 grant:
"Harnessing mesenchymal stem cell antimicrobial activity: preclinical evaluation in dogs with antibiotic-resistant infections," Dr. Steven Dow, veterinarian and professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology.
"Evaluation of 64Cu-ATSM, a novel, promising, dual-targeted imaging and radiotherapy agent in a clinical canine translational model of osteosarcoma," Dr. Takamitsu Kato, assistant professor in the Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences.
"Hydrogel Delivered PTH for bone-defect healing," Seth Donahue, CSU associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
"Changing adults’ self-perceptions of again: piloting a new psycho-educational intervention," Manfred Diehl, professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies
CCTSI is a collaboration of scientists and health professionals who promote patient care and public health through translational research. Involved organizations include Colorado State University, University of Colorado – Anshutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado Hospital, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Denver Health, National Jewish Health, Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente of Colorado.
Graduate Students Awarded at Animal Disease Conference.
Four graduate students return from 2013 Conference of Research Workers in Animal Disease with awards for their research presentations.
“This is a great meeting for established scientists, but it is an especially great meeting for graduate students because of the heavy emphasis on scientists in training,” said Dr. Paul Morley, a veterinarian and CSU professor of epidemiology and infection control. “Given the large number of graduate student presentations, I am always pleased when we return, and I can do some bragging about our students.”
The four students awarded are:
Lyndsey Linke, best oral presentation in microbiology for "A novel avian influenza antiviral technology using RNAi targeting avian epithelium and respiratory tissues."
Nadia Saklou, best oral presentation in biosecurity and biosafety for "Evaluation of activated hydrogen peroxide and peroxygen disinfectants as misting applications."
Julia Bromberek, best oral presentation in epidemiology and animal-health economics for "What influences treatment and end-of-life decisions for lymphoma-affected dogs?"
Audry Ruple, runner-up for the Mark Gearhart Award for best manuscript in epidemiology and preventive medicine for "Using syndromic surveillance to estimate baseline rates for healthcare-associated infections in critical-care units of small-animal referral hospitals."
Students Visit the Hill during AVMA Legislative Fly-In
Two students represented Colorado State University during the 2014 American Veterinary Medical Association Legislative Fly-In, when 100 veterinary students and veterinarians gathered to meet the nation’s policymakers to discuss issues important to the veterinary profession.
Third-year veterinary student Brittany McCauslin and second-year veterinary student Reut Tenne traveled to Washington D.C. Feb. 9-11 to learn about the legislative process and to assist in the lobbying efforts.
McCauslin and Tenne heard from U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, a large-animal veterinarian from Florida, and U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas on issues including animal welfare, veterinary schools and education, appropriations and pharmaceuticals. The students met with staff of Colorado senators and were successful in persuading U.S. Rep. Jared Polis of Boulder to co-sponsor the Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act, which allows veterinarians to carry animal medication when providing ambulatory service.
“It doesn’t matter what you want to do in veterinary medicine. It’s important to know and understand the issues concerning the profession because it applies to all of us,” Tenne said. “Not only did this experience strengthen my communications skills, but it taught me to be more aware of what’s going on and to stay involved in the conversation.”
College has Highest Percentage of Undergrads in Honors Program
About 25 percent of students with primary majors in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences are enrolled in the University Honors Program – the highest undergraduate representation in the academically elite program of the eight colleges on campus, according to the spring 2014 honors student census.
Of 612 undergraduate students with primary majors in the college, 156 are enrolled in the Honors Program. The program is designed for academically talented and motivated students; it emphasizes small, discussion-based seminars; undergraduate research; and community service.
During spring 2014, the Honors Program includes 114 students majoring in biomedical sciences, 24 students majoring in microbiology and 18 students majoring in environmental health.
Vet Student Picked for Program on Foreign Animal Diseases
Susan Schaff, a second-year veterinary student, was selected through a competitive application process to attend the 10th annual Smith-Kilborne program at Cornell University May 29 through June 6.
Each year, students from 30 universities across North America are selected for the program that focuses on foreign animal diseases that could potentially threaten domestic animals. Veterinary students will practice risk analysis and emergency management and will train in laboratory sessions at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center, a hub for the nation’s top defense against foreign animal diseases.
"The Smith–Kilborne program is an incredible opportunity to learn about foreign animal disease research," Schaff said. "I am looking forward to gaining experience through the program that I can apply to a career in epidemiology and the veterinary connection to public health."