Virginia Winter - Spring 2004 maryland Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine

Photo by Jeffrey Douglas The Caissons Go Rollin’ Along--Soldiers and horses from “The Old Guard” perform a burial ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington. Eight times a day, fi ve times a week, a veteran or dignitary is buried with full military honors in the distinguished ceremony. Veterinarians in charge of the Caisson Platoon’s horses rely upon the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg to provide advanced veterinary medical and surgical support for the horses. Over the years, more than 50 of the horses have been treated for colic, lameness and other disorders at the center. Veterinary College Researchers Seeking Eyre Steps Down To Clone “Mad Cow Disease” Resistant As Dean

Cattle Strains Peter Eyre, dean of the Virginia- With about $300,000 in Most people think of disease as Maryland Regional College of funding from the National Institutes being caused by infectious organisms Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM) of Health, two scientists in the like bacteria, viruses, rickettsia, since 1985, has resigned from the VMRCVM are trying to produce and protozoa or fungi, explains Eyestone, a deanship for personal health reasons. then clone cattle that are genetically molecular reproductive biologist who Virginia Tech Provost Dr. Mark incapable of developing “Mad Cow formerly served as Senior Research McNamee has appointed Associate Disease.” Scientist for PPL Therapeutics, the As federal and state government Scotland-based organization that cloned Please see Eyre page 20 offi cials grapple with strategies to Dolly the sheep. He now spearheads limit the economic and health risks the VMRCVM’s transgenic animal Inside associated with the troublesome research program as a research associate discovery of the nation’s fi rst case of professor in the Department of Large Research Spotlight ...... 11 Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Animal Clinical Sciences. Those (BSE) – or “Mad Cow Disease”— microorganisms reproduce themselves Drs. William Eyestone and Bill to cause disease in fairly conventional Development ...... 26 Huckle are conducting important ways, either inside a cell or elsewhere in research with the little understood the body. molecules believed to cause the Leesburg News ...... 30 deadly brain-wasting disease. Please see “Mad Cow” page 39 College Park News ...... 37 Virginia-Maryland 1 Virginia Maryland is published periodi- cally by the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. We Dean’s Desk welcome your comments, suggestions and questions. Please address all correspondence to: Virginia-Maryland VMRCVM Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061 Interim Dean Gerhardt Schurig EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Greetings from Blacksburg

Gerhardt Schurig, D.V.M., M.S., Ph.D. It has been four months since former Dean Peter Eyre resigned after 18 years Interim Dean of service. He has rejoined our ranks as professor and continues to contribute with a variety of routine and special initiatives. I am enjoying my responsibilities as John C. Lee, Ph.D. interim dean and appreciate all of the support and cooperation I am receiving. Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies As a founding faculty member in 1978, I remember what our college was like when Peter Eyre arrived in 1985. The late Richard B. Talbot, our founding dean, Grant Turnwald, B.V.Sc., M.S. had overcome economic and political adversity to establish the college, but we were Associate Dean for Academic brand new and faced many challenges. We had not yet achieved full accreditation Affairs from the AVMA. We were less than halfway through our building program here at Siba K. Samal, B.V.Sc., Ph.D. Blacksburg, and lacked the funding to fi nish our physical plant. Our Marion duPont Interim Associate Dean - Maryland Scott Equine Medical Center had just opened its doors, but faced fi scal uncertainty. Campus Our partnership with Maryland was functional in spirit but fl awed in practice. By the end of Dr. Eyre’s tenure, we were a nationally recognized, fully Greg Troy, D.V.M., M.S. Head, Department of Small Animal accredited, two-state, three-campus professional school with a $32 million budget, Clinical Sciences a 360,000 square foot physical plant, 500 students, 350 employees and almost 1600 alumni, most of whom are practicing in communities, corporations and government Craig Thatcher, D.V.M., M.S., Ph.D. agencies across Virginia, Maryland and the nation. We have come a long way. Head, Department of Large Animal In 2003, we have become what was envisioned by those who led the grassroots Clinical Sciences effort to create our college in the 1970’s. But we are, it seems to me, far from what Lud Eng, B.A., M.A., Ph.D. we will become in the years ahead. Head, Department of Society needs more from the veterinary profession than ever before. In Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology addition to providing quality animal health care, veterinarians must step up to help Nathaniel White, II, D.V.M., M.S. protect our nation from bioterrorism, re-emerging and newly emerging infectious Interim Director, Marion duPont Scott diseases and other public health threats. Our college has historic strength in public Equine Medical Center veterinary practice, and we are prepared to help. Here at Virginia Tech, our college has become affi liated with the university’s Robert A. Martin, D.V.M. new Institute for Biomedical and Public Health Sciences (IBPHS), a venture that Medical Director, Veterinary Teaching Hospital will combine human, technical and fi nancial resources in a synergistic way that vastly increases our biomedical research achievements at what is already the Commonwealth’s leading research and development university. We also play an Jeffrey S. Douglas, MS, APR Managing Editor important role as a partner in the newly created School of Biomedical Engineering Terry Lawrence that Virginia Tech has established with Wake Forest University. Art Director And across the Potomac, our Maryland activities and relationships show Cori Degastyne more promise than ever before in this new age of veterinary medicine. Guided by Editorial Assistant Christine Boucher Peter Eyre’s vision and leadership, our faculty, staff and students have created an Administrative Assistant enterprise that the people of Virginia and Maryland can be proud of. Frank Pearsall and Ann Nadjar When I was asked by Virginia Tech to serve as interim dean of the college, it Contributing Editors took a moment of refl ection. Just a few months earlier I had been appointed to lead Jerry Baber, Don Massie the IBPHS. But having been a part of this college and all that it has achieved over Photography the past 25 years, I felt like it was my responsibility to do whatever I could to help the college maintain it’s great momentum. Virginia Tech does not discriminate against Higher education and the veterinary profession operate in dynamic, sometimes employees, students, or applicants on the turbulent environments. I respect and appreciate the “protocol” of interim basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, leadership, but I know that our college will face challenges, issues and opportunities disability, age, veteran status, national origin, while the search to recruit a permanent dean is conducted. We will not stand still religion, or political affi liation. Anyone having questions concerning discrimination during this time. We will make decisions, we will remain productive, and we will should contact the Equal Opportunities/ move forward. Affi rmative Action Offi ce. I look forward to working with you in the months ahead, and I hope that you will share with me any thoughts and ideas you have about how the college can serve you better and continue its quest for excellence. virginia-maryland 2 virginia maryland news briefs

Purswell and Smusz Recognized by VVMA Two long-term employees two women in the history of the of the Virginia-Maryland VVMA to receive the award. She Regional College of Veterinary earned her DVM, M.S. and Ph.D Medicine were recognized degrees from the University of for excellence at the annual Georgia. She is a diplomate meeting of the Virginia in the American College of Veterinary Medical Association Theriogenologists. (VVMA) held recently at the Ted Smusz, Manager of Hotel Roanoke in Roanoke. Communications, was recognized Dr. Beverly J. Purswell, as “Friend of the VVMA” at the professor, Department of Large meeting. Smusz, who joined the Animal Clinical Sciences, was college in 1982, was honored for awarded the “Paul F. Landis the communications support he Virginia Veterinarian of the has provided between referring Year” award. That VVMA honor veterinarians across the state and Ph.D. student Tim LaBranche and DVM student Kijona Key pose recognizes veterinarians for clinical faculty members in the with a Jersey cow in the Dairy Center during production of a their activities as a veterinarian, Veterinary Teaching Hospital. television spot that profi les Virginia Tech. Aired during the half-time exceptional contributions to The call and switching breaks of national football broadcasts, the spot attempts to educate organizational activities at the center that Smusz manages people about the role veterinary medicine plays in protecting the national, state and local levels handles 800-1200 calls per day nation from bioterrorism. and community involvement. and employs a staff of fi ve. Dr. Purswell is one of only of the proposed sculpture, which She will work closely with includes a female veterinary Tech’s continuing education student, a dog, and a horse. division, organized veterinary The sculpture is supposed medical associations like the to represent a modern iteration VVMA and the MVA, and the of “The Gentle Doctor,” a famous Center for Organizational and sculpture of a veterinarian on the Technological Advancement, campus of Iowa State University’s which is based at the Hotel College of Veterinary Medicine. Roanoke, in program development All of the monies used and delivery. to fund the project are coming Lynch will serve on the from private donors who wish Veterinary Teaching Hospital to exclusively support the Board and advise the VTH anniversary sculpture project, Director on matters of hospital according to Schurig. policy and procedure, outreach, and veterinary cooperative VMRCVM extension. This digital fabrication illustrates how the sculpture might look Lynch earned her Ph.D. in when installed on the grassy hill located at the main entrance to Welcomes New Human Resources and Education: the college. Jane Talbot, wife of the late Founding Dean Richard B. Outreach Director Educational Leadership and Talbot, has pledged a signature gift to help fund the project. Policy Studies from Virginia Tech in December of 2003. In 1993, New Statue To Commemorate she earned her M.A. from Virginia Tech in Education: Counseling College’s 25th Anniversary and Student Personnel Services. In 1987, Lynch earned her B.A. in A statue celebrating for a few years. Former Dean English from Longwood College. the human/animal bond and Peter Eyre and Biomedical Media Lynch has served modern veterinary medicine Unit artist Terry Lawrence began as an instructor in Tech’s should be cast and installed thinking about the project early Interdisciplinary Studies program, on VMRCVM grounds in time in Virginia Tech President Charles Dr. Judith Lynch as director of undergraduate to celebrate the college’s 25th Steger’s administration when recruiting in the College of anniversary in 2005. a committee led by University Dr. Judith Lynch has been Engineering, as an alumni and Jane Talbot, wife of the Distinguished Professor Tony named Outreach Director for the student programs coordinator in late Founding Dean Richard Distler began exploring ways VMRCVM. Lynch will provide the Alumni Association, and in B. Talbot, will provide major to bring more sculpture to the broad leadership for the college’s many other capacities at Tech. funding with a signature Virginia Tech campus. outreach function in the new Most recently she served gift, and the balance will be Lawrence began working up position, which reports to the as a legislative assistant with provided with additional private some conceptual sketches and Veterinary Teaching Hospital Virginia Delegate David Nutter in support. contacted artist Gwen Reardon of director. Richmond. “We are very grateful for Lexington, Kentucky. Reardon She will develop, market and what Jane has done,” said did the famous life-size sculptures manage a variety of professional, Interim Dean Schurig. “This is of 17 racehorses at Thoroughbred paraprofessional and corporate a very important development Park in Lexington. outreach programs designed to in the history of the college.” Working with Lawrence’s meet the needs of the professional Planning for the statue conception as a base model, she veterinary community in a pro- has actually been underway crafted and cast a bronze model active fashion. Virginia-Maryland 3 this organization. To honor him for these efforts, the ALBC has renamed their annual exceptional service award the “Bixby- Sponenberg Award.” The new name is intended to jointly honor the longtime ALBC Director Don Bixby, DVM and Dr. Sponenberg, Delbert Jones for their three decades of work in saving endangered breeds. LEPDN Program Sponenberg’s interests Held at College lie specifi cally in the “landrace” populations from the United The Laboratory Employee States. Landrace breeds, Professional Development according to “A Conservation Network (LEPDN) recently Breeding Handbook,” which Dr. Chang-Hung Chou, President of National Pingtung University of presented a day long was co-written by Sponenberg, Science and Technology (NPUST), Pingtung, Taiwan, recently visited symposium entitled “New are consistent enough in their the college. He is interested in exploring opportunities to expand the Developments in Laboratory cooperative relationship Virginia Tech has had for about ten years with physical characteristics to be his university, and is particularly interested in developing a program with Technology Exhibits and considered breeds, though their veterinary medicine. Pictured are Dr. Yasuhiro Suzuki, former Dean Eyre, Workshops” in the college. appearance varies more than the Dr. Chou, and Dr. Bob Youngs, a professor emeritus from the College of Led by Delbert Jones, standardized breeds. Natural Resources that has been a leader with the existing collaboration. Biochemistry Laboratory They survive as distinct Supervisor, and open to populations due to geographic illness and subsequent death States Air Force Veterinary Corps university laboratory employees and cultural isolation. This natural of Shawnetta Jennings-El, a following his graduation from from across the university, selection and geographic isolation colleague in the VTH. Auburn. the event included more than has created a genetic consistency Walter volunteered to watch He has directed the 20 presentations on various and an adaptation to their local Shawnetta’s children and pets college’s VTH since 1993. molecular diagnostic and environments. He has worked during her frequent and extended evaluation techniques. Almost very closely with Colonial Spanish hospitalizations and organized 25 fi rms participated in the Horses, Randall Lineback Cattle, fund-raising and other programs exhibit hall. Spanish cattle in the Deep South designed to assist the family The LEPDN was and in Florida, as well as several during their time of need. created to help support breeds of goats. Over a several month Tech’s laboratory technical The ALBC stresses that period, she helped raise more personnel by fostered a promoting and supporting these than $5,000, in addition to food, variety of professional rare breeds is necessary if we clothing and toys for the children. development opportunities, are to preserve our agricultural Dr. Tom Inzana according to Jones. It is part history. If we were to lose the of the university Leadership genetic diversity in our livestock, Development Program. we would be left with just a Veterinary College few highly specialized breeds Presents selected for maximum output in food production. By studying 15th Research rare breeds that have evolved to meet certain environmental and Symposium geographic strains, according to Dr. Robert Martin Drs. Thomas Inzana and Ansar the ALBC, we can perhaps help Ahmed were named co-winners meet unforeseen future challenges of the prestigious Pfi zer Award for that affect our own livestock. Martin Earns Auburn Research Excellence and several Dr. Phil Sponenberg CVM Distinguished graduate students were awarded honors during the VMRCVM’s 15th Conserving Alumni Award annual Research Symposium. VTH Director Dr. Robert A. Inzana, the Tyler J. and Rare Breeds of Martin has been named recipient Frances F. Young Professor of Livestock Earns of the Auburn University College Bacteriology, is a noted molecular of Veterinary Medicine’s 2003 microbiologist who has generated Sponenberg Honor “Wilford S. Bailey Distinguished more than $2.5 million in extramural For nearly three decades, Alumni Award.” funding and been awarded three Dr. Phil Sponenberg, a Vicki Walter Recognizing distinguished patents for intellectual properties professor in the VMRCVM’s achievement and service in arising out of research that has led Department of Biomedical Walter Honored veterinary medicine, the award to the development of vaccines Sciences, has been working to was presented to Martin during for several economically important keep rare breeds of livestock with President’s Auburn’s 96th Annual Conference. agricultural diseases. A former alive. He has been working Award for Martin, who earned his director of the Center for Molecular through the American Livestock DVM from Auburn in 1976, is Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Breed Conservancy (ALBC), Excellence board certifi ed by the American Inzana also serves as Director that 23 years ago was a loosely Veterinary Teaching College of Veterinary Surgeons of Clinical Microbiology in the structured organization. Now, Hospital employee Vicki Walter and the American Board of Veterinary Teaching Hospital and celebrating its 25th anniversary, has been honored with a Veterinary Practitioners. He conducts teaching, service, and the ALBC is an international prestigious “President’s Award for completed residencies in surgery research through his appointment leader in livestock breed Excellence.” and anesthesiology at Cornell as a professor in the Department conservancy. Walter, who serves at University’s New York State of Biomedical Sciences and Sponenberg has always the front desk/medical records College of Veterinary Medicine Pathobiology. He is a diplomate been a leader in the ALBC, and area. was honored for the before joining the college in 1983. of the American Board of Medical most of his conservancy work leadership and compassion Martin completed a four- Microbiology and a Fellow of the has been accomplished through she demonstrated during the year tour of duty with the United American Academy of Microbiology. virginia-maryland 4 schools do not?” Eyre said that Medicine and CEO and President Admissions communication, business and of the medical school’s Flint leadership skills are essential in campus. Workshop all areas of clinical, corporate and Seeks Process government practice and that Lindsey Earns the schools have an enormous Improvement obligation to select students that Alumni Research can promote the future success of Dr. Ansar Ahmed Award One of the strategies that the profession. academic and professional The two-day symposium, Dr. David Lindsey, Ahmed is the current association leaders believe will entitled “A Fresh Look at Veterinary professor, Biomedical director of the Center for help develop a more business Medical School Admissions: Sciences and Pathobiology, Molecular Medicine and and communications “savvy” Putting the Cart Before the Horse?” and researcher in the Center Infectious Diseases. He is veterinary profession is to select was organized by VMRCVM for Molecular Medicine and internationally recognized for and then train students who Associate Dean for Academic Infectious Diseases, has work that is exploring the demonstrate strength in those Affairs Grant Turnwald and featured been awarded a Virginia Tech relationship between estrogen areas. four-hour presentations by two Alumni Award for Excellence in and estrogen-mimicking That notion was recently noted experts. Research. chemicals in the environment considered by about 30 Dr. Bob Lewis, an Lindsey’s research and the development of faculty members from several organizational psychologist with involves the study and vaccine immune-mediated disorders southeastern veterinary colleges Personnel Decisions International, development for protozoan such as lupus, arthritis and other who attended a two-day veterinary Inc., made a presentation entitled parasites of companion animals, disorders. college admissions workshop “Non-Technical Competencies livestock, horses and poultry. The two-day symposium hosted by the VMRCVM. Underlying Career Success as a Recognized as an included a keynote address “We in academic veterinary Veterinarian,” and “Face to Face! international authority in human on “Immune Changes with medicine are the gatekeepers Making the Case for the Selection and veterinary parasitology, he Advanced Age: Does Immunity of the profession,” said former Interview” was presented by Dr. has published more than 288 Grow Older and Wiser?” from VMRCVM Dean Peter Eyre during John Molidor, a professor and papers, 21 book chapters and Dr. Kevin High of the Bowman introductory remarks. “How assistant dean for Michigan State one book. Grey School of Medicine at will the profession change if the University’s College of Human Wake Forest University. On the second day, Dr. Charles Kuntz , a former resident in the VMRCVM and current Washington D.C. based veterinary oncologist, was the featured guest speaker. More than 30 presentations ranging from Hepatitis E virus to the health effects of depleted uranium artillery shells were featured. Graduate students recognized during the competitive graduate student presentation component of the symposium included Shaadi Elswaifi , fi rst place; Martijn Fenaux and Rebecca Roche, second place; and Joel Stitzel, third place. Speakers at the “Career Opportunities in Public Health and Comparative Medicine: An Agenda for Action” meeting included, from left, Dr. Stephen Sundlof, Head of the Food & Drug Administration; Dr. Donald Butts, Virginia State “Our annual research Veterinarian; VMRCVM Interim Dean Gerhardt Schurig; Dr. Craig Reed, VMRCVM visiting professor and former days symposium has become an head, USDA-APHIS; Dr. Glenn Morris, professor and chairman of the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive important college tradition,” said Medicine at the UMBSM; Dr. Larry Heider, Executive director of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Interim Dean Gerhardt Schurig. Colleges; former Dean Peter Eyre; and Dr. Lou Detolla, head of the UMBSM Department of Comparative Medicine. “This program inspires and rewards superior performance, VMRCVM Exploring Medical College Relationship it helps as all learn more about what is underway in our A half-dozen distinguished to develop training programs to Medicine; Dr. Stephen Sundlof, laboratories, and it encourages guests from Washington and help veterinary colleges produce head of the Food & Drug more collaboration between our Baltimore recently joined more graduates for work in public Administration’s Center for faculty and other areas of the VMRCVM administrators and health, food safety and security, Veterinary Medicine; Dr. Larry university.” faculty members for a retreat on food animal production, veterinary Heider, executive director of This year’s symposium the Tech campus. research and homeland security. the Association of American included presentations by The “Career Opportunities Chief on the agenda were Veterinary Medical Colleges; Dr. graduate students from Wake in Public Health and Comparative discussions concerning the Craig Reed, VMRCVM visiting Forest University, as well Medicine: An Agenda for Action” possible establishment of a formal professor and former head, as graduate students and event was part of a series of academic relationship between USDA-APHIS; and Dr. Donald professors from Virginia Tech’s meetings that have taken place the VMRCVM and the University Butts, Virginia State Veterinarian. College of Engineering and the under the leadership of former of Maryland Medical College at The meeting was VMRCVM that are working in the Dean Eyre since a major policy Baltimore. moderated by VMRCVM Interim area of biomedical engineering. statement was released last Guest speakers included Dean Dr. Gerhardt Schurig, and Graduate students summer by the Association of Dr. Glenn Morris, professor and Dr. Peter Eyre provided summary compete in basic and clinical American Veterinary Medical chairman of the Department of comments. Schurig appointed science categories, which are Colleges. Epidemiology and Preventive Eyre to provide leadership for the judged by teams of faculty An AAVMC sponsored Medicine at the UMCM; Dr. Lou ongoing discussions between members. Some faculty national symposium and Detolla, head of the University of the two institutions that are research presentations are also subsequent monograph Maryland College of Medicine’s focused on the development of a made during the event. challenged member institutions Department of Comparative combined training program. Virginia-Maryland 5 Clinical Pathologist CeCO made a presentation that profi led CeCO’s history and current Joins DBSP operations. Founded in 2001, the center serves as a unifying Dr. Frederic Almy has resource for some of the estimated joined the Department of 40 faculty members at Virginia Biomedical Sciences and Tech engaged in cancer related Pathobiology as a clinical research. Some of the research pathologist. Prior to joining programs underway involve the the college he was with IDEXX detection of cancer using lasers, Veterinary Services, Inc. in West developing methods for quantifying Sacramento, California. changes in normal and neoplastic Before working in cells, exploring linkages between Sacramento, Almy was a NIH diet and breast cancer, and Fellow in comparative pathology angiogenesis, or how tumors grow in the Center for Comparative new blood vessels. Medicine at the University of Wake’s Dr. Edward Shaw, California, Davis. There, his director of Clinical Oncology Dr. Bob Ridgway, a long-time leader of the D.C. Academy of Veterinary research focused on fi nding a Research and Chairman of Medicine, was honored for his years of service during the college’s mouse model for B-cell chronic Radiation Oncology, then made new student orientation. Standing nearby is Dr. D. Phillip Sponenberg, lymphocytic leukemia. a presentation on both the professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology. In 1997, Almy received process and subjects of possible his DVM from the University of collaboration that were developed Georgia, Athens. He conducted Scavma Scores at the advancement of veterinary as a result of meetings held in July a residency in clinical pathology dentistry through innovative 2003 with Robertson and Tech’s National Conference at the University of California, research and education. Dr. William Spillman, who serves as Davis, from 1998-2001. Last There’s a shiny new trophy Smith is board certifi ed director of Virginia Tech’s Applied year he received his M.S. in in the Student Chapter American by both the American College Biosciences Center. Comparative Pathology. Veterinary Medical Association of Veterinary Surgeons and the All participants are interested In addition to several (SCAVMA) information case near American Veterinary Dental in translational research, which years of teaching experience at the College Center that speaks of Society. He also serves as editor integrates and magnifi es the Davis, Almy has co-authored the strength and tenacity of the of the Journal of Veterinary benefi ts of laboratory and clinical numerous professional VMRCVM’s student body. Dentistry. research. Specifi c areas of mutual publications. The college’s SCAVMA interest include skin, brain, breast, Student Project chapter won fi rst place nationally prostate and lymphoreticular in the annual “Tug-a-War” Places Third in CeCO Group Meets tissue cancers. Additional contest. And brute strength interests have been identifi ed in National Competition at Wake Forest and teamwork wasn’t the only the overall area of cancer biology, A team of students from A delegation of 20 category in which VMRCVM and in the technological tools the VMRCVM has claimed third faculty members and graduate students won honors. used for cancer detection and place honors in the national Hill’s students affi liated with the Teams from the VMRCVM management. Pet Nutrition Public Health Award Center for Comparative SCAVMA won third place national More than a dozen individual Competition. Oncology (CeCO) in the awards in both the equine aging presentations were made by Fourth-year students VMRCVM at Virginia Tech and bovine palpation categories Wake Forest and Virginia Tech John G. Dyer and Justin Brown recently met with about 40 and a second place honor in researchers summarizing work earned $500 for a project entitled scientists at the Comprehensive the bovine palpation individual being done in different areas of “Homeland Security Blanket: Cancer Center at Wake Forest category. cancer research. Mental Health Preparedness for an University (CCCWFU) in About 65 students, Exotic Animal Disease Disaster.” Winston-Salem, North Carolina including two delegates and Major Upgrade of The authors propose that to discuss the establishment a president made the journey media coverage of animal disease of a joint multidisciplinary to the University of Georgia at College’s IT Network epidemics such as Great Britain’s cancer research and education Athens for the annual meeting of recent epidemic of Foot & Mouth program. Infrastructure the nation’s veterinary students. Disease, bioterrorism fears The day opened with Accomplished sparked by the 9/11 disasters, and an overview of the CCCWFU the emergence of new zoonotic presented by Director Dr. Frank The VMRCVM complex diseases like West Nile Virus can Torti. Founded in 1972 and at Virginia Tech has completed affect the mental health and well- continuously funded by the a major upgrade to its IT being of the public. National Cancer Institute since infrastructure, according to IT The students proposed the then, the center is currently Director David Sampson. development of a communications ranked 21st in the nation and About 260,000 feet of new campaign that would provide the has set a goal of advancing category 6 100 Base-T wiring public with accurate information to the top 10 of the nation’s was installed to support work- Dr. Mark Smith about disease threats, identify comprehensive cancer centers stations throughout the complex. sources of additional public within the next fi ve years. The new wiring enables users to Smith Honored by information and present an Their cancer research move data about ten times faster overview of the steps that state program is currently funded than the prior wiring and allows AVDS, Hill’s and federal government agencies at about $14.7 million, with for some wireless capabilities Dr. Mark Smith, professor, are taking to protect them. 112 members working with 67 in common areas around the Department of Small Animal The pair initially prepared the grants. The CCCWFU includes college. Clinical Sciences, has won the paper as part of a Veterinary Public three Centers of Excellence The new wiring will support 2003 American Veterinary Dental Policy class they took during their that focus on brain, prostate, gigabite Ethernet, which is Society (AVDS)/Hill’s Research third year of study, according and breast cancer. expected to become available on and Education Award. to Dr. Ted Mashima, associate Dr. John Robertson, a widespread basis in three to fi ve Sponsored by Hill’s Pet director of the college’s Center professor, Department of years. The VMRCVM is one of Nutrition, Inc. and presented by for Government and Corporate Biomedical Sciences and the fi rst colleges at Virginia Tech the AVDS, the award recognizes Veterinary Medicine at College Pathobiology and director of to receive the upgrade. outstanding contributions to Park, Maryland. virginia-maryland 6 DVM, with honors, from Auburn Dr. Jolynne Tschetter has Barber Steps Down University, and a M.S. degree joined the department as a as DSACS Head in internal medicine from Texas research scientist in molecular A& M University. He served on diagnostics. Tschetter earned a Dr. Don Barber, who the faculty at Texas A&M from B.S. degree from St. Cloud State has served as Head of the 1979 until 1987. University in St. Cloud, Minnesota Department of Small Animal Troy is a Diplomate and a Ph.D. from Washington Clinical Sciences for 16 years Dr. Tom Caruso of the American College of State University in Pullman, returned to full-time faculty Veterinary Internal Medicine Washington. responsibilities. VMRCVM Hires (ACVIM). His academic and Dr. Curry Keoughan has the Barber, a professor of clinical achievements have been joined the department as a clinical New Research radiology, diplomate and past- recognized with 22 professional instructor in large animal surgery. president of the American Initiatives Director honors and awards, including Keoughan earned a B.S. from College of Veterinary Radiology, seven teaching awards. His four Nova Scotia Agriculture College in Dr. Tom Caruso has joined has led the department since awards for distinguished clinical Truro, Nova Scotia and the DVM the Offi ce of Research and the college was re-structured in service include the prestigious from University of Prince Edward Graduate Studies as Director of 1986 at the beginning of the Eyre “Dr. E. E. Thompson Professorial Island in Charlottetown, Prince Research Initiatives. administration. Award” and the “Dr. & Mrs. Dorsey Edward Island. In this capacity, Caruso “Don is an exemplary Mahin Clinical Profi ciency Award.” will help the college establish academician and one of the Troy has mentored more than new research relationships with most loyal and hard-working Lester Honored for 70 interns and residents. He is the contracting agencies in the colleagues,” said former Dean author of 50 major refereed journal Excellence by LVT public and private sector. A Eyre, in an announcement articles, nine book chapters and special emphasis will be placed detailing the move. Organization on developing new research numerous abstracts, conference opportunities in the life and papers, and continuing education Robin Lester, LVT, earned the biomedical sciences. documents. “Technician of the Year Award” Caruso brings strong from the Virginia Association of academic credentials and a DLACS Welcomes Licensed Veterinary Technicians. wealth of experience to the New Faculty Lester works in the Veterinary new position. His professional Teaching Hospital’s small animal interests center on organizing Four new faculty members Intensive Care Unit. multidisciplinary teams have joined the Department of Lester was recognized during and multi-organizational Large Animal Clinical Sciences. the organization’s annual meeting partnerships that deliver high- Dr. Douglass Berry, III, is an in Roanoke. impact products, services Troy Named assistant professor of large animal VMRCVM Hosts and technology development Department Head surgery. He earned his DVM proposals. from Auburn University, a M.S. National Alpha Psi Caruso earned a B.S. in Dr. Gregory C. Troy has from Virginia Tech and is board biochemistry and biology from been named Head of the certifi ed by the American College About 140 veterinary the University of Pittsburgh in VMRCVM’s Department of of Veterinary Surgeons. students from around the nation 1974, a Ph.D. in pharmacology Small Animal Clinical Sciences Dr. Ramanathan gathered in early 2004 at the from the University of (DSACS). Kasimanickam is an assistant Virginia-Maryland Regional Minnesota and an MBA from With 25 tenure track professor specializing in College of Veterinary Medicine the Massachusetts Institute of professors, four clinical food animal theriogenology. to attend the national convention Technology in 1984. instructors and 18 residents and Kasimanickam earned the D.V.Sc. of Alpha Psi, a veterinary service Prior to joining the college, interns, DSACS is home to the from Ontario Veterinary College and honor fraternity. Caruso worked for four years veterinary specialists that provide at the University of Guelph in Delegates enjoyed with Tech’s Offi ce of the Vice clinical care for dogs, cats Ontario, Canada, and the B.V.Sc. academic presentations such as Provost for Research, where he and other pets in the college’s from Madras Veterinary College an “Acupuncture Wet-Lab” in the served as an Industrial Program Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the Tamil Nadu Veterinary Veterinary Teaching Hospital as Development Specialist with (VTH). and Animal Sciences University well as a number of social and some Center for Innovative Troy, a professor and in Madras, Tamil Nadu, India. recreational activities such as Technology funding, and then internal medicine specialist, was Kasimanickam is a diplomate bowling and pool tournaments for three years as Manager of recruited to direct the college’s in the American College of and a Dinner and social. Program Development. Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Theriogenology. “I’m very excited 1987 and served in that capacity about this opportunity to until 1993. He also served as join the regional college,” Acting Hospital Director from said Caruso. “The college’s 1996-97 and as Small Animal research programs are building Section Chief in the VTH from momentum at a time when life 1996-2001. He had served as sciences research has become a acting Head of DSACS since major priority for Virginia Tech,” March 2003. said Caruso, who envisions “I am delighted to welcome unfolding opportunities in Dr. Troy back to the college’s the areas of immunology and administrative team at this biodefense. “I’m looking forward time,” said former VMRCVM to playing a role in this important Dean Peter Eyre upon Troy’s process.” appointment. “I know that his Caruso will also have a outstanding professional record 20% research appointment and and his exceptional personal plans to collaborate with Dr. Jeff characteristics will help to move Wilcke, the college’s Metcalf the department and the college Professor of Veterinary Medical forward at this time of challenge The Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s new CT machine is on-line and Informatics, as well as other and opportunity.” working well. Here, the college’ s fi rst CT scan is performed on the Virginia Tech researchers on a Born in North Carolina and brain in a live, adult horse. The motorized table on the new machine variety of projects. raised in Florida, Troy earned his is designed to support up to 2000 pounds. Virginia-Maryland 7 Tech Launches Institute for Biomedical and Public Health Sciences Virginia Tech is putting a new kind of knowledge to work. Long considered a giant in the agricultural and mechanical sciences and lauded as a 20th century pioneer in America’s information technology revolution, Tech has been building capacity in human health and life sciences research for more than 25 years. Now, Tech’s steady rise in stature as a major health sciences research center has been formally ordained with the creation of a new inter- college, interdisciplinary research and development center known as the Institute for Biomedical and Public Health Sciences (IBPHS).

Above, Dr. Janet Rankin, professor, a nucleus of faculty researchers serving Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, is serving as interim on a Faculty Scientifi c Council, will director of IBPHS. One of the goals of oversee the development of all aspects the new institute is to marshall some of the universities intellectual capital and of the institute, including the initial laboratory facilities in a way that will programmatic emphasis. make the university more competitive Some of the institute’s key for funding in the biomedical sciences from government agencies such as the operating strategies are to encourage National Institutes of Health. communication and collaboration The new institute will lead in create a highly interactive intellectual among current faculty, provide support the development of cross-university environment for scholars and scientists and coordination for multidisciplinary research initiatives in the biomedical from different areas and colleges and grants, and fund cluster- hires in sciences, boost graduate education, and promote their success by infusing them collaboration with departments, she said. partner with an array of human health- with resources and support, according to She said the institute will work closely related educational and governmental Dr. Janet Rankin, professor, Department with departments and colleges to insure institutions on an ambitious quest to of Human Nutrition, Foods and that benefi ts are realized at all levels. discover new ways to promote human Exercise, and the institute’s fi rst interim Initially, the institute will health and well-being. director. concentrate on two core areas: “The institute has been created “This institute should build upon to provide a catalyst for biomedical some of our current strengths and assist The new institute is health researchers working in different us in taking our research to a level designed to create a highly departments and colleges at the where we are a major player in the interactive intellectual university,” said Dr. Mark McNamee, biomedical and health research areas,” environment for scholars and University Provost and Vice President Rankin said. scientists from different areas for Academic Affairs. “In order to Rankin is directing the unit in and colleges and promote advance scientifi cally and remain concert with a stakeholder committee their success by infusing them competitive, we must inspire and that consists of the deans of the four with resources and support, support collaborative efforts that unite colleges that are principally involved according to Dr. Janet Rankin, researchers from across our university with the new institute: Dr. Lay Nam professor, Department of and beyond its walls.” Chang of the College of Sciences, Dr. Human Nutrition, Foods and IBPHS is the second major Sharon Quisenberry of the College Exercise. collaborative research institute formed of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Dr. by Virginia Tech. The Institute for Gerhardt Schurig of the VMRCVM Critical Technology and Applied and Dr. Greg Brown of the College of Infectious Diseases and Immunology; Science (ICTAS) was created in 2002. Forestry and Natural Resources. The and Food, Nutrition & Health. The new institute is designed to leadership team, working closely with A variety of vaccine development virginia-maryland 8 programs are underway in the Center for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Diseases (CIMMID), where several researchers are developing a new generation of genetically modifi ed vaccines to protect animals and people against infectious diseases ranging from brucellosis to tularemia. CIMMID is also where Schurig and colleagues developed the RB-51 brucellosis vaccine, now considered the global “gold standard” of control. Sponsored research in the area of immunology and infectious diseases has tripled from slightly more than $2.3 million in 2000 to current funding Former SCAVMA President Works of more than $7 million in 2003, according to Schurig. Increased With Famed Chincoteague Ponies federal funding for bioterrorism related research in our post 9/11 world has created fertile funding opportunities for increased work in this area, he said. Similarly, the university has vast experience and faculty depth in the broad area of Food, Nutrition and Health (FNH), according to Rankin. James Custis The overall goal of this program is to enhance human health through the consumption of improved foods and Former SCAVMA president physical activity. Faculty at Virginia James Custis has worked with Tech are involved in the development the annual pony round-up on of new genetic strains of crops and Chincoteague for the past animals to improve disease resistance several years. or other characteristics related to Photos courtesy of Jerry Baber production. One public health problem in Marguerite Henry’s “Misty of On Tuesday, a team of need of a comprehensive scientifi c Chincoteague” is a treasured classic for veterinarians examines the herd. approach, obesity, affects over 60% many. Animals not judged sound enough to of the U.S. adult population and But for former SCAVMA President handle the swim are trucked to the increases the risk of most chronic James Custis, it’s a reminder of an event mainland. diseases, including cardiovascular he’s been part of for the past four years. Local fi re department volunteers disease, diabetes, hypertension, and As a part-timer with Eastern Shore draw upon years of experience to detect some cancers, according to Rankin. Animal Hospital in Painter, Virginia, the exact “slack tide” --that moment Tech has signifi cant resources to bring Custis has enjoyed an opportunity to between high and low when the current to bear upon these problems, Rankin play a role in providing veterinary care is the stillest -- Custis says, to make it said. for the famed herd of wild ponies. as easy as possible on the animals. The institute may also look at While the horses enjoy the global About 180 ponies make the programs designed to protect the spotlight during the annual swim that is swim, including some 80 foals that are nation from agro-terrorism. Possible always conducted during the last week ultimately auctioned off to maintain the approaches include work on the of July, the herd is actually rounded up herd at sustainable levels. People have development of pathogen-resistant three times a year for routine veterinary been known to pay thousands of dollars foods, improved processing, and care, Custis explains. for the opportunity to own and care for surveillance systems for better tracking A hundred thousand spectators may one of the famous ponies, Custis said. of infection outbreaks. gather to witness the 500-yard swim On Friday, the horses are swum Initially, IBPHS will occupy across the channel from Assateague to back across the channel where they facilities in the university’s Corporate Chincoteague on Wednesday morning, resume their unfettered lives of leisure Research Center. Eventually, plans Custis says. on the sandy barrier island. call for the institute to become But much has already gone on For Custis, the opportunity to physically integrated with a major behind the scenes during the days care for the animals and to participate life sciences facility that will be leading up to the spectacle. Most people in one of the world’s most famous constructed adjacent to the emerging don’t realize how much veterinary equine events has been “a remarkable Virginia Bioinformatics Institute and medical care is involved with the event, experience.” Litton-Reaves Hall. he says. Virginia-Maryland 9 State, Federal Veterinary Offi cials and College Form Working Group

A working group comprised of animal health professionals Pictured, from left to right, Dr. Judi Lynch, VMRCVM director of outreach; Dr. J. Fraser Owens, State from federal and state government, Staff Veterinarian – Agricultural Security, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services academic institutions and professional (VDACS); Dr. Judith H. Jones, interim director, Virginia Cooperative Extension Service and Associate associations has been created by the Dean; Dr. Craig A. Reed, Visiting Professor, former director USDA-APHIS; Patrick McMillan, Offi ce of Outreach in the Virginia- Maryland Department of Agriculture; Dr. Joseph Garvin, Program Manager, Offi ce of Laboratory Services, VDACS; Dr. Namalwar (Nathan) Sriranganathan, Professor, Biomedical Science, Maryland Regional College of VMRCVM; Dr. Terry L. Taylor, Area Emergency Coordinator, USDA, APHIS, VS; Dr. Gerhardt G. Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Schurig, interim dean, VMRCVM; Dr. Peter Eyre, professor, Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Teaching Hospital. and former dean, VMRCVM; Dr. Thomas Massie, President, VVMA Academy of Food and Animal Established as an advisory Practice; Dr. X.J. Meng, associate professor, DBSP, VMRCVM; and Dr. François C. Elvinger, organization for the Virginia State associate professor, DBSP, VMRCVM. Veterinarian, the committee will and coordination, according to Dr. Judi and Pathobiology, and former dean, address issues related to animal health Lynch, the VMRCVM’s director of VMRCVM; Donald W. Butts, State emergency response preparedness. outreach. Veterinarian and Director, Division “Veterinary medicine plays The committee recently had its of Animal, Plant and Food Industry a critical role in public health and inaugural meeting at Virginia Tech Services; and J. Fraser Owens, State safety,” said Dr. Gerhardt Schurig, and will meet again in Roanoke in Staff Veterinarian – Agricultural interim dean of the VMRCVM. conjunction with the annual meeting Security, Virginia Department of “Infectious disease outbreaks like Foot of the Virginia Veterinary Medical Agriculture and Consumer Services and Mouth Disease, avian infl uenza, Association. At that time, they may (VDACS). Also, Drs. John Brooks, and Mad Cow Disease, as well as the consider adopting the name Multi- Deputy Secretary, Maryland ongoing threat of bioterrorism, have Agency Coordinating Group (MAC). Department of Agriculture; Judi all illustrated this point more clearly State and federal offi cials already M. Lynch, Director of Outreach, than ever for our citizens.” have detailed emergency response VMRCVM; Joseph Garvin, Program systems that can be activated in the Manager, Offi ce of Laboratory Through the committee, event of an animal and/or public health Services, VDACS; Craig A. Reed, public offi cials, faculty and crisis. However, the committee seeks Visiting Professor, head of the Food to increase communication and share and Nutrition Institute and former Cooperative Extension experts resources in a way that could generate director USDA-APHIS; and François working on issues related possible improvements. C. Elvinger, associate professor, DBSP, to animal health emergency For example, the group may VMRCVM.Also, Drs. Judith H. Jones, response and agricultural examine existing systems for interim director, Virginia Cooperative mobilizing, organizing, training and Extension and Associate Dean; Terry L. security will have an opportunity equipping public and private sector Taylor, Area Emergency Coordinator, to share information and veterinarians, (including veterinary USDA, APHIS, VS; Thomas Massie, create effi ciencies through students) for emergency support in the President, VVMA Academy of Food event of an animal and/or public health and Animal Practice; X.J. Meng, collaboration, cooperation and emergency, according to Lynch. associate professor, DBSP, VMRCVM; coordination. They might also look at protocols Namalwar (Nathan) Sriranganathan, for routine and emergency laboratory Professor, Biomedical Science, diagnostics. In the event of a major VMRCVM; Patrick McMilland, Through the committee, public infectious disease emergency like Foot Assistant Secretary for Animal Health, offi cials, faculty and Cooperative and Mouth Disease (FMD) or Avian State of Maryland, and Mr. Jeffrey S. Extension experts working on issues infl uenza, state diagnostic laboratories Douglas, Director, Public Relations, related to animal health emergency might be overwhelmed with volume. VMRCVM. Also, Drs. Thomas Toth, response and agricultural security Members of the group include professor, DBSP; and Bill Pierson, will have an opportunity to share Drs. Gerhardt G. Schurig, interim professor, DBSP. information and create effi ciencies dean, VMRCVM; Peter Eyre, through collaboration, cooperation professor, Biomedical Sciences virginia-maryland 10 Research spotlight

Veterinary Memorial Research Grants Awarded More than $53,000 in clinical research grants has been awarded to six principal investigators in the VMRCVM through the 2003-2004 distribution of Veterinary Memorial Fund research grants. Founded in 1984, the Veterinary Memorial Fund is a program jointly operated by the Virginia Veterinary The “Veterinary Medical Association (VVMA) and Memorial Fund” is the VMRCVM that helps bereaved one of the oldest such pet-owners deal with their grief and programs in the nation. raises money to improve the quality of healthcare available for future loss of vision in dogs. SARDS is of cause or affect. The study will fully generations of companion animals. most commonly seen in dachshunds, explore the relationship, providing Proposals were selected for miniature schnauzers and Brittany valuable information that can prevent funding on the basis of contemporary spaniels, and it seems to affect middle- some dogs with SARS from being clinical importance by a committee inappropriately treated for HAC as well. comprised of veterinarians in private Dr. Don Waldron, professor, practice and in academia. The DSACS, was awarded $10,000 to study research will provide much-needed “The Effect of Nephrotomy on Renal information on topics ranging from Function in Normal Cats.” Urinary tract complications associated with calculi in cats is a common problem commonly used non-steroidal anti- faced by veterinarians. Over the past infl ammatory drugs to feline urinary 20 years, the composition of the calculi tract disorders. has shifted dramatically. Twenty Dr. David Panciera, professor, years ago, the stones were primarily Department of Small Animal Clinical magnesium ammonium phosphate, or Sciences (DSACS), was awarded struvite stones. Today, possibly because $7,495 to investigate a project entitled of the widespread use of acidifying “Effects of Deracoxib and Aspirin feline diets, the most common stones Administration on Thyroid Function are calcium oxalate, and they are found Tests in Normal Dogs.” Deracoxib more commonly in the ureter and in is a new COX-2 inhibitor based the kidneys. Presently, no medical non-steroidal anti-infl ammatory dissolution protocols are available, and drug (NSAID) that has recently lithotripsy, widely used in humans, is been approved for the treatment of not suitable for treating these problems osteoarthritis in dogs. Researchers in cats for a variety of reasons. Surgical know that NSAID’s can affect intervention by nephrotomy remains thyroid function tests in humans. the best clinical approach to resolving Veterinarians need to know whether the problem, but some questions exist or not those drugs can also interfere concerning whether or not this surgery with the effi cacy of thyroid tests in causes long-term effects on kidney animals so they can prevent the costly function. The researchers believe that it misdiagnosis of hypothyroidism. does not, and will attempt to empirically Dr. Ian Herring, associate demonstrate that surgical correction does professor, DSACS, was awarded not negatively affect long-term renal $10,967 for “Investigation of function. Adrenocortical Activity in Dogs aged to older female dogs more than Dr. Michael Leib, professor, with Sudden Acquired Retinal others. Researchers have documented DSACS, was awarded $7500 for Degeneration Syndrome.” Sudden some correlation between SARDS “Comparison of the Effect of Deracoxib Acquired Retinal Degeneration and Hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) in (a selective COX-2 inhibitor), Syndrome (SARDS) is a disorder affected animals, but it is not clear that causes sudden and irreversible whether or not the relationship is one Please see Grants page 13 Virginia-Maryland 11 $3.2 Million National Science Foundation Grant Funds Interdisciplinary Program on Oxidation By Susan Trulove Dr. Craig Thatcher, head, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, is interested in how free radicals cause disease. Thatcher is board-certifi ed by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition. A team of researchers from three science from the oxidation of fats to develop synthetic macromolecules different colleges has been awarded understanding disease mechanisms,” inspired by biology, such as biomaterials a fi ve-year, $3.2 million National says Long. “The program bridges the used in healthcare, are not trained to Science Foundation Integrative gap between traditional macromolecular understand the biochemical processes Graduate Education and Research science and biological disciplines.” involved in biomedical, nutrition, and Traineeship (IGERT) award for the According to the project summary, food technologies. And life scientists Macromolecular Interfaces with Life “Many boundaries at the chemistry- are generally unaware of fundamental Sciences (MILES) program. MILES biology interface remain unexplored macromolecular chemistry and the uses free radical and oxidation and represent unique opportunities for close relationship between synthetic processes as the thematic basis the discovery of advanced technologies molecules and biomolecules. for research and education at the and the education of interdisciplinary The NSF IGERT program chemistry-biology interface. scientists and engineers. Oxidation supports interdisciplinary training processes occur within both synthetic of Ph.D. scientists and engineers. macromolecules and biological The MILES IGERT involves 15 core Thatcher and his systems, offering a common theoretical faculty members in four of Virginia colleagues in veterinary base. Oxygen-centered radicals Tech’s colleges – Agriculture and Life medicine are also interested are intermediates in key chemical Sciences, Engineering, Science, and the in nutrition and in the roles of and biological processes, such as Virginia-Maryland Regional College lipid oxidation, aging, and product of Veterinary Medicine – to provide free radicals in disease, and will deterioration…. Oxidative stress is cooperative research, interdisciplinary help the MILES researchers implicated in many chronic diseases, education, and outreach experiences understand the biomedical including cancer, diabetes, obesity, and to 36 students. Other departments, implications and evaluate the the compromise of immune function.” institutes, universities, and national In the oxidation process, oxygen laboratories are affi liated with the success of their discoveries with interaction with some molecules causes program as research collaborators animal models. some atoms to lose electrons. Atoms and internship providers. Researchers with unpaired electrons are free radicals. affi liated with the Edward Via Virginia These highly reactive atoms seek to College of Osteopathic Medicine will Oxidation is a process that correct their imbalance by robbing provide a bridge to human health. involves free radicals, which cause electrons from other atoms, which “We will focus a wide range of food to spoil or taste bad, and damage can interfere with cellular processes expertise on the study of free radical and cellular processes in living systems. or damage cellular components such oxidative processes,” says Long. Oxidation is also a tool for creating as DNA, or the cell membrane. The Duncan, Long, Thatcher and thin fi lms. defense is antioxidants -- molecules that their students have actually been Principal investigators are Craig scavenge the free radicals. collaborating for several years to Thatcher, Head, Department of Large The researchers point out that a determine the biochemical pathways of Animal Clinical Sciences, VMRCVM; chemistry-biology collaboration offers the oxidation process and how they can Susan Duncan, associate professor the potential for the development of be used to protect food and health and of food science and technology in antioxidant delivery systems, including create new technologies. the College of Agriculture and Life antioxidant enriched foods, novel “We are interested in the oxidation Sciences; and Tim Long, professor of biocompatible synthetic polymer of triglycerides, such as soybean oil, and chemistry in the College of Science. delivery systems, or new natural and evaluating the potential of the products “The scientifi c scope is broad, synthetic macromolecular antioxidants. of that oxidation for high performance crossing traditional boundaries of Yet, the chemists and engineers who polymers (plastics),” says Long. virginia-maryland 12 “This really gives us an opportunity believes that the VVP system may to develop technologies that are not Grants: play a role in cervical spinal disease in petroleum based.” continued from page 11. dogs. The study will test and evaluate Food science graduate student Buffered Aspirin and Placebo on the the effects of cervical spinal cord Heather Woodson is determining which Gastroduodenal Mucosa of Healthy compression on the canine VVP, refi ne light waves cause oxidation in such Dogs.” Non-steroidal anti-infl ammatory an experimental method for inducing packaged foods as milk, and student drugs are frequently used in dogs to acute cervical extradural compression in Janet Webster is evaluating polymer treat common pain and infl ammation dogs, and evaluate intraosseous cervical systems that will block those light associated with osteoarthritis and venography as a possible technique waves. Duncan and the students have for other disorders. Gastrointestinal for diagnosing cervical spinal cord been visiting with a Virginia polymers bleeding and ulceration and other compression in dogs. company about that research. complications have been associated Dr. Jeryl Jones, associate Duncan and Long are exploring with the long-term treatment of professor, DSACS, has been awarded controlled release of antioxidants by dogs with NSAIDS. A new class of $10,000 for “The Effects of CT Image polymeric fi lms. NSAIDS known as COX-2 inhibitors Display Parameters on the Perception Thatcher and his colleagues in are believed to be less damaging to the of Abnormalities in the Elbow Joint veterinary medicine are also interested gastrointestinal system than COX-1 of Dogs with Elbow Dysplasia.” in nutrition and in the roles of free inhibitors. Buffered aspirin, though Elbow dysplasia is a developmental radicals in disease, and will help the not approved for use in the dog, is also abnormality of the elbow joint that MILES researchers understand the commonly used as an anti-infl ammatory typically affl icts rapidly growing large biomedical implications and evaluate drug in companion animals, and it breed dogs. Computed tomography the success of their discoveries with also causes gastrointestinal problems (CT) is a useful diagnostic tool for animal models. like bleeding, ulceration and erosion. evaluating canine elbow dysplasia, Janet Rankin and Mike Houston, Leib will comprehensively examine however the diagnostic sensitivity for professors of human nutrition, foods, how a new COX-2 inhibitor based detecting clinical problems may be and exercise, and Korinn Saker, NSAID called deracoxib affects the affected by technical factors associated assistant professor, Large Animal gastroduodenal mucosa in healthy dogs with CT such as window/level Clinical Sciences, are interested in how through gastroendoscopic examination settings, image display planes, patient oxidative stress is related to obesity and and cytology. positioning and others. Jones’ study Type II diabetes in animals and humans. Dr. Otto Lanz, assistant professor, seeks to develop the most effi cacious CT Nutritional strategies will be developed DSACS, has been awarded $7102 to scanning protocol for evaluating canine to modify oxidative stress. study “Effects of Acute, Experimental, elbow dysplasia, thereby providing more “We are looking at interactive Extradural Cervical Spinal Cord accurate information on which clinicians systems,” says Duncan. For example, Compression on Morphology of the can base treatment plans. Ed Smith, associate professor of animal Canine Cervical Vertibral Venous and poultry sciences, is studying the Plexus.” The Vertibral Venous Plexus genetics of a bird that has a long life. (VVP) is a network of veins that “He’s looking at oxidative stresses surround the vertebral canal, spinal to see what is different from short- cord and nerve roots. Little is known lived birds. He will provide genetic about how spinal compression affects Dr. Michael Leib, the C.R. Roberts Professor information.” of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Dr. Kathleen the VVP, but some clinical studies have Sennello and Dr. Lisa Miller, past-president of The MILES researchers will also suggested that the VVP may play a collaborate with the Science Museum of the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, role in compounding spinal injury and pose during the presentation of the 2003-2004 Western Virginia to develop educational causing neurological problems. Lanz Veterinary Memorial Fund research awards. modules for K-12 students and contribute to the success of the museum. “Interdisciplinary graduate programs are key to educating the scientists and scholars and professors for the 21st century. I’m pleased that the NSF has recognized the outstanding graduate education programs at Virginia Tech,” says Karen P. DePauw, vice provost for graduate studies and dean of the Graduate School.

Susan Trulove is public relations manager for Virginia Tech’s Offi ce of Research and Sponsored Programs.

Virginia-Maryland 13 Venturing Into Vasculature: How the Study of Angiogenesis Hints at Answers to Cancer By Erin Dolan, Ph.D.

Supported by the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, the Carilion Biomedical Institute and the VMRCVM, Huckle is searching for ways to stop the fl ow of blood to cancerous tumors.

Although the concept that At fi rst glance, angiogenesis may human cell, are produced by tissues solid tumors require blood vessels appear necessary only during growth when they are hypoxic. At least one to survive is more than 30 years and development and, once we reach mechanism by which cells sense oxygen old, it is just within the past decade adulthood, no new blood vessels are levels is via proteins that contain the that scientists have come to accept required. Indeed, this was the original oxygen-binding molecule, heme. The the role of angiogenesis, or blood thinking about vascularization: once conformation, or shape, of these proteins vessel formation, in the development, a blood vessel forms, it is very stable changes when oxygen is absent, thereby proliferation, and metastasis (spread) – maintaining an oxygen supply to of cancer. This is the research local tissue for the life of the organism. focus of Dr. Bill Huckle, associate Instead, blood vessels may be relatively professor, Biomedical Sciences and dynamic, being constantly remodeled. Blood vessel growth into Pathobiology, an affi liated faculty More importantly, blood vessel a tumor facilitates cancer member of the Fralin Biotechnology formation is essential for healing after development in two ways: Center. injury as well as during menstruation Angiogenesis is the process and pregnancy. All of these processes by providing a means of life by which organisms maintain the involve tightly regulated mechanisms support (oxygen and nutrients) vasculature they have and grow to direct growth and organization of and by serving as a roadway new vasculature as needed, either blood vessels, but also to induce blood out of the site of origin – a in physiologically appropriate ways vessel regression. Scientists are studying to maintain healthy tissue or in mechanisms that trigger both growth built-in path for metastasis. pathological ways, like in diseases and destruction of blood vessels, and such as cancer, diabetes, and macular applying this knowledge to prevent degeneration. A complex set of pathological blood vessel growth. triggering a cascade of events that leads processes, including cell division/ How is angiogenesis initiated? to the production of VEGFs. recruitment, migration, and assembly, In the case of injury, scar tissue forms In clinical studies, the density of have to occur for blood vessels to and cells within the healing tissue have blood vessels in solid tumors has been properly provide blood and, in turn, limited access to vascularization. These linked to disease severity and poor oxygen to tissues throughout the body. cells ‘sense’ hypoxia (low oxygen) and prognosis. Tumor cells often, if not First, endothelial cells, which create secrete signals to recruit blood vessels to always, over-express VEGF and other and line blood vessels, must divide to grow to and assemble in their location. angiogenic factors because they’ve generate enough cells to make new One class of these signals is the vascular lost the ability to keep these signals in vessels. Then, the cells must move into endothelial growth factors, or VEGFs. check. Cancer cells, by defi nition, are the new tissue, fi nd each other, and The VEGFs, a family of proteins that also unable to control cell division. assemble into functional channels. can be made by almost any type of Do the genes that control cell division virginia-maryland 14 also control VEGF expression? In fact, both fi elds has led to the recent allowing recruitment of blood vessels by when gene mutations occur that lead formation of the Center for Comparative the tumor. to uncontrolled proliferation of cells, Oncology at the VMRCVM, under the Becky Roche, a doctoral student these same cells typically overproduce direction of Dr. John Robertson. in Veterinary Medical Sciences VEGF. This phenomenon is observable Although under the right conditions working with Huckle, is attempting to in cell culture and in cancer patients almost any cell can make VEGF, the identify the machinery involved in a alike. Many studies of different types receptors for VEGF exist primarily cell’s decision to make the full-length of cancer have revealed that circulating on endothelial cells, which line blood versus truncated form of the protein. levels of VEGF, as with blood vessel vessels. Huckle’s lab is studying two In one strategy, she is fi ne-tuning a density within tumors, can be correlated types of VEGF receptors, KDR and technique that allows cells to produce with severity of the disease. A more full-length and truncated Flt-1 RNAs direct correlation between cancer so that she can determine their ratio and VEGF expression is observed Huckle is most intrigued of expression. In another strategy to in Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. examine their expression, she is using This autosomal dominant disease is by the possibility that quantitative reverse transcription (RT) characterized by kidney tumors and this ratio plays a role in and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) attributed to a mutation in a gene that endothelial cells’ ability to analysis, also known as quantitative RT- normally functions to repress VEGF sense and respond to VEGF PCR, a method for measuring amounts expression. of specifi c RNA fragments. Particularly insidious cancers are secreted by a tumor. If this With these tools in place, Roche characterized not only by uncontrolled is indeed the case, tweaking can use them to examine the role of cell proliferation and high VEGF the ratio could be the RNA processing proteins in determining expression, but also by the ability to underpinnings for a new type the ratio of the two Flt-1 forms. become metastatic, or mobile around Eventually, the lab will evaluate Flt-1 the body. Blood vessel growth into a of cancer therapy. ratios in animals beset with different tumor facilitates cancer development in types of cancers, as well as in cells two ways: by providing a means of life with known genetic mutations, to support (oxygen and nutrients) and by Flt-1, that transmit VEGF’s angiogenic determine how the ratio may infl uence serving as a roadway out of the site of signal to responsive endothelial cells. the progression of cancer. She can also origin – a built-in path for metastasis. The Flt-1 receptor can be found in two use these tools to assess the ability of Huckle and his colleagues are forms, a full-length form and a short, or external factors (hormones, growth taking three approaches to understand truncated, form. The full-length form factors, previously-identifi ed cancer angiogenesis in general and VEGF’s sits in the endothelial cell membrane, therapies) to infl uence the decision function in particular: examining VEGF part outside the cell and part inside to make the full-length vs. truncated expression in animals with cancer; the cell, ready to sense VEGF in the Flt-1. Huckle is most intrigued by the characterizing VEGF receptor function; extracellular environment. The truncated possibility that this ratio plays a role in and designing an angiogenesis assay form, on the other hand, is unable endothelial cells’ ability to sense and system. to anchor in the cell membrane and respond to VEGF secreted by a tumor. Given his affi liation with the instead is secreted outside of the cell. If this is indeed the case, tweaking the veterinary college, Huckle is interested Huckle and other investigators have ratio could be the underpinnings for a in applying fi ndings from human cancer demonstrated that the truncated form can new type of cancer therapy. research to the study of cancer in bind up VEGF and act as an inhibitor both small and large animals. Huckle, of angiogenesis by preventing full- Erin Dolan is Coordinator of together with Dr. Greg Troy and his length receptor binding. He postulates Biotechnology Outreach for the Fralin colleagues in the Department of Small that the tumor’s ability to over-express Biotechnology Center. Animal Clinical Sciences, are attempting VEGF may swamp the truncated Flt-1’s to extend the human studies correlating ability to prevent angiogenesis, thereby cancer severity with circulating VEGF levels by conducting similar studies in dogs. A challenging fi rst step in this work has been to determine whether human and dog VEGF proteins are homologous enough that antibodies used to quantify human VEGF in an ELISA assay can also be used to measure dog VEGF levels. In another project, Jennifer Noll (VMRCVM ’04), while working as a summer veterinary fellow Huckle works with other college re- with Huckle, developed procedures for searchers like Dr. John identifying blood vessels in microscopic Robertson, director of sections of canine tumor tissue. Interest the Center for Com- in how the integrated study of human parative Oncology and veterinary cancers may advance (CeCO), on cancer research. Virginia-Maryland 15 Veterinary College Researcher Awarded $1 Million Military Grant to Develop Bioterror Vaccine A bacteriologist in the VMRCVM has been awarded a $1.06 million grant from the U.S. Army to develop a vaccine for tularemia. Dr. Thomas J. Inzana, the Tyler J. and Francis F. Young Professor of Bacteriology, and his research team Inzana is trying to develop a vaccine for tularemia, a Category A bioterrorism agent. in the college’s Center for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Diseases have through minor cuts or abrasions in the His research team will isolate and begun a four-year program designed hands by handling infected animals. characterize both the capsule and the to develop a vaccine and diagnostic The military is concerned about F. outer membrane proteins that enable test for tularemia, which is commonly tularensis because of its heartiness and the organism to survive inside the known as “rabbit fever.” The etiologic its virulence. Whereas about 10,000 macrophage. The key to creating an agent of tularemia is Francisella Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) spores are effective vaccine will be their ability to tularensis, which the Centers For required to cause disease, only about identify and stimulate the production Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta 10 F. tularensis cells are required to of proteins that stimulate T-cells of the classifi es as a Category A bioterrorism cause disease, according to Inzana. cellular immune system. It is hoped agent. The organism could conceivably be that antibodies to the capsule will help Tularemia is an infection aerosolized and used as a bioterrorism to clear the bacteria that are not yet in characterized by ulcers, swollen agent at home or abroad; hence, the phagocytic cells, and that T cells of the glands, fever, and fl u-like symptoms. military interest. A World Health cellular immune system will kill the cells The organism can spread through the Organization Committee estimated that harboring the bacteria. blood and lymphatic systems to infect aerosol dispersal of 50 kilograms of In another aspect of the project, virulent F. tularensis over a city of fi ve Inzana is working with Drs. Anbow million people would result in 250,000 Wang and Kirstie Cooper in the College A World Health Organization inhabitants becoming seriously infected, of Engineering’s Center for Photonics including 19,000 deaths. Technology on a project that will develop Committee estimated that aerosol One aspect of F. tularensis that photonic-based bio-sensors to detect the dispersal of 50 kilograms of makes it dangerous is its ability to resist F. tularensis capsule or DNA in the fi eld. virulent F. tularensis over a city host defenses, Inzana says. Unlike Ultimately, that research could lead to the of fi ve million people would result many bacteria, F. tularensis has the development of rapid pathogen sensing ability to survive inside some of the biosensors that could detect multiple in 250,000 inhabitants becoming front-line defenders of the body’s pathogens on the battlefi eld. seriously infected, including immune system. As phagocytic cells Inzana is a noted molecular micro- 19,000 deaths. such as macrophages rush to attack and biologist who has generated $4 million consume the invading pathogens, F. in extramural funding and been awarded tularensis actually uses the macrophage three patents for intellectual properties the respiratory tract, where it can as a home and multiplies within it. arising out of research that has led to the cause more serious health problems. While scientists do not yet know development of vaccines for economically Pneumonic tularemia may have about much about the biology of the organism, important agricultural diseases. a 30% mortality rate, according to they do know that it has a capsule- A former director of the Center Inzana. like substance on its surface. Inzana, for Molecular Medicine and Infectious While not uncommon in wildlife who recently developed and patented Diseases, Inzana also serves as Director throughout the United States, Inzana a vaccine for swine pleuropneumonia of Clinical Microbiology in the Veterinary says, it is a relatively rare disease in by mutating the DNA required for Teaching Hospital and conducts people. Only about 100-200 cases capsule synthesis by Actinobacillus teaching, service, and research through of tularemia in humans are reported pleuropneumoniae, and selecting for his appointment as a professor in the every year, Inzana said. The bacteria a non-capsulated vaccine strain, plans Department of Biomedical Sciences and are transmitted to humans and animals to apply his expertise in bacterial Pathobiology. He is a diplomate of the by ticks and biting fl ies, or can be carbohydrate antigens to the new American Board of Medical Microbiology ingested by wildlife from drinking vaccine and diagnostic test development and a Fellow of the American Academy of water. Humans are also infected program. Microbiology. virginia-maryland 16 Veterinary College Researcher Awarded Prestigious National Science Foundation Grant A faculty member in the VMRCVM has been awarded a $726,476 National Science Foundation CAREER grant to develop a more “wholistic” system for the integration of technology, research and education through a project designed to study and protect chimpanzees in Tanzania. Dr. Taranjit Kaur has received the Kaur uses geographic information systems (GIS) to develop public and animal health prestigious NSF funding to support a programs. Pictured are Kaur (center), Virginia Tech student Jessica Hagerman (left) and fourth-year VMRCVM student Kari Velguth. fi ve-year program entitled “Bridging the Gaps Using Bush-to-Base-Bio- them,” said Kaur. The goal of this code and process the data using handheld Informatics, Geographic Information project transcends the immediate modules with global positioning system Systems (GIS) and a Program Called benefi t of using technology and training capability, Kaur said. The modules will “READ-IT.” programs to improve conservation interface with a Virginia Tech-based “This is all about integrating management strategies for chimpanzee web-enabled server designed to share research and education,” said Kaur, populations in the jungles of a nation information with authorized users. who also serves as Virginia Tech’s home to the famed Mount Kilimanjaro, “My theory is that students are a Director of Laboratory Animal Kaur explains. tremendous resource and that we don’t Resources. She plans to create a To accomplish this greater goal, utilize them enough,” said Kaur, who novel “electronic infrastructure” that she plans to focus on the immediate task views students as key players in a “cross- will take a multidisciplinary approach of helping the Tanzanian National Park pollination” component of the program. to developing improved wildlife Authority (TANAPA) develop science- Students participating in the program management strategies in the east based management strategies that will will gain interdisciplinary research and African nation. protect the free-ranging chimpanzee educational experiences within a global population from tourism related context by designing communication It represents a problems like disease transmission, systems and sharing information habitat destruction, and competition with other students, tourists, wildlife multidisciplinary career for resources. Because of genetic personnel, and local communities, Kaur development strategy that seeks similarities between chimps and people, said. to bridge the gaps between both are highly susceptible to infl uenza, Another goal of the program is to discovery, learning and the tuberculosis and other infectious use U.S. technological leadership in a diseases. way that supports sustainable global diffusion of information in the That information will enable development, promotes conservation and biological sciences. those offi cials to determine a more ultimately leads to a higher quality of life accurate understanding of the area’s for all in the 21st century, she said. Kaur, who has traveled to capacity for tourism, as well as support Kaur is collaborating with a number Africa a half-dozen times, conceived the development of more effective of individuals and organizations on the project around a proprietary management and training programs for the program, including Dr. Michael program she has developed called professionals and tourists. A. Huffman a world-renowned “READ-IT,” an acronym which A key part of Kaur’s program primatologist from Kyoto University stands for Research, Education, is designed to develop “interesting in Japan; and Dr. Beatrice Hahn, the and Dissemination via Information and compelling content for integrated University of Alabama at Birmingham Technology. It represents a research and educational opportunities physician who played a leading role multidisciplinary career development for undergraduate, graduate and in demonstrating that the AIDS virus strategy that seeks to bridge the gaps professional students at Virginia Tech.” affl icting the human race originated from between discovery, learning and Some of those will be involved with a virus in chimpanzees. the diffusion of information in the the “Bush to Base Bio-Informatics” and Other groups include TANAPA, biological sciences. the “Geographic Information Systems” the University of Rhode Island, National “Everything I do brings together components of the program, she said. University of Rwanda, Management humans, animals and the environment, Field researchers will gather Sciences, Inc., international tour and the dynamic interaction between physiological data on the chimps, and operators and others. Virginia-Maryland 17 NEws briefs

Dr. Craig Reed, visiting Journal of Veterinary Radiology which was published in the Journal Dr. H. Marie Suthers- professor in the VMRCVM and and Ultrasound. of Veterinary Medical Education. McCabe, associate professor and former director of the USDA’s Dr. Beverly J. Purswell, Dr. M. Renee Prater, director of the Center for Animal Animal and Plant Health professor, Department of Large assistant professor and Chair of Human Relationships, presented Inspection Service has been Animal Clinical Sciences is now Microbiology for the Department “The Role of Handler Personality appointed to serve a four-year serving as the Virginia Veterinary of Biomedical Sciences in the Traits in the Performance of Canine term on the Virginia Board of Medical Association’s delegate to Edward Via Virginia College Explosives Detection” at the Health. Reed continues to lecture the American Veterinary Medical of Osteopathic Medicine and annual Delta Society Conference on food safety, epidemiology, Association. She has served as research assistant professor for in Seattle, Washington. She also and government and corporate alternate for the past four years. the Department of Biomedical presented “Program Assessment: practice in the professional Dr. Colin B. Carrig, Sciences and Pathobiology at Saint Francis of Assisi Service Dog curriculum. He is also assisting professor, Department of Small the VMRCVM, is serving on the Foundation Prison PUP program,” the college in special initiatives Animal Clinical Sciences, attended American Journal of Veterinary “The Human-Animal Bond, such as providing leadership and the 28th World Congress of the Research Board of Reviewers Implications for Veterinarians and liaison for the college’s emerging World Small Animal Veterinary through 2006. She has recently Mental Health Professionals,” relationship with the University of Association in Bangkok, Thailand. had several articles published in and “Building the Human-Animal Maryland College of Medicine in Carrig presented two lectures: scientifi c journals. “Combined Bond in Children, Get ‘Em While Baltimore. “Diagnostic Imaging of Foreign dermal exposure to permethrin and they’re Young” at the annual Three employees in the Bodies” and “Diagnostic Imaging cis-urocanic acid suppressed the meeting of the American Veterinary VMRCVM’s Veterinary Teaching in Evaluation of Bone Lesions.” In contact hypersensitivity response Medical Association in Denver. Hospital have graduated from addition, he chaired a session on in C57BL/6N mice in an additive Suthers-McCabe has also been the new distance education gastroenterology. The congress manner” and “Immunotoxic effects elected President of the American Veterinary Technician Program attracted 1900 registrants from of cix-urocanic acid exposure in Association of Human-Animal operated by Blue Ridge around the world. C57BL/6N and C3H/HeN mice” Bond Veterinarians. Suthers- Community College in Weyer’s Dr. Martha Moon, were published in the Journal of McCabe was also elected to Cave, Virginia. Those individuals professor, Department of Small Photochemistry and Photobiology. the International Society for are Karen Whitt, Becky Wade Animal Clinical Sciences, “Molecular mechanisms of Anthrozoology’s Council at their and Teresa Ward. All three have presented “Aging Changes in the sunlight and permethrin- annual conference held in Canton, sat and successfully passed the Ultrasound Appearance of the induced alterations in cutaneous Ohio. While there, she presented certifying examination offered Feline Pancreas” at the annual immunity” was published in the “The role of handler personality by the Virginia Association of meeting of the American College journal of Photodermatology, traits in the performance of Licensed Veterinary Technicians of Veterinary Radiology in Chicago, Photoimmunology and canine explosives detection” and earned their LVT credential. Illinois. She also authored an Photomedicine. “Cis-urocanic and “Program assessment: Saint Damani Parran, a post article entitled “Ultrasonographic acid increases immunotoxicity and Francis of Assisi service dog doc working with the Laboratory Appearance and Etiology of lethality of dermally-administered foundation prison PUP program.” for Neurotoxicity Studies, earned Corrugated Small Intestine” which permethrin in C5BL/6N mice” Suthers-McCabe also made a recognition at the annual meeting was published in the Journal was published in the Journal of keynote presentation on CENTAUR of the Society for Toxicology in of Veterinary Radiology and Toxicology. She has also written at the annual conference of Salt Lake City. Parran earned Ultrasound. several book chapters. Those the Virginia Association of fi rst-place in the post-doctoral Dr. John Dascanio, include “The mouse as a model of Rehabilitatoin Nurses in Salem, category of the “In Vitro Specialty associate professor, Department developmental immunotoxicology Virginia. Suthers-McCabe also Section” abstract awards of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, ” for a Developmental traveled to Tokyo, Japan on an competition. He also won fi rst authored an article entitled “The Immunotoxicology reference and international trip sponsored by the place in the post-doctoral Use of Information Technology in “Hemostatic abnormalities” for Pet Food Institute in Washington, category of the National Capitol Large Animal Veterinary Education” Small Animal Clinical Diagnosis D.C. While there, she presented Area Chapter of the Society which was published in the Journal by Laboratory Methods. Prater several keynote speeches, of Toxicology travel award of Veterinary Medical Education. also presented several papers at conducted interviews with various competition. Dr. Jeryl C. Jones, the 21st annual American College pet magazines and student Dr. Otto Lanz, assistant associate professor, Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine newspapers, and was featured in professor, Department of Small of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Forum in Charlotte, North Carolina. numerous press conferences for Animal Clinical Sciences, made a presentation entitled Those included “Focus on Platelet Japanese media. Topics included was presented the Auburn “CT Morphometry of the problems: too few, too many and many dimensions of the human- University College of Veterinary Thoracolumbar Spine in Dogs with too defunct,” “Cases in feline animal bond, including ethical Medicine “Distinguished Young Degenerative Myelopathy” at the homeostasis,” “Cases in canine issues of animal treatment in Achiever Award” at their annual annual meeting of the American homeostasis,” and “Miscellaneous Japan, animal assisted therapy, pet conference. College of Veterinary Radiology in cases in homestasis including loss/ bereavement, link between Dr. Jonathan A. Abbott, Chicago. ‘toughies’.” human violence and animal abuse, associate professor, Department Dr. Peter K. Shires, Dr. Thomas J. Inzana, and the Centaur program she of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, professor, Department of Small professor, Department of leads in the VMRCVM. presented a scientifi c poster at Animal Clinical Sciences, Biomedical Sciences and Dr. Korinn Saker, assistant the American College of Veterinary presented “Peri-operative Pathobiology presented professor, Department of Large Internal Medicine’s 21st Annual medical therapy, does it change “Comparative analysis of a Animal Clinical Sciences, Veterinary Medical Forum held the outcome of decompressive wildtype strain of Francisella presented “Concentration of in Charlotte, North Carolina surgery in intervertebral disk tularensis type A with the PUFA can infl uence EGFR/MAPK entitled “Hemolytic Effects of Oral herniation cases?” at the live vaccine strain” at the 4th signal transduction in human Carvedilol in Healthy Conscious annual meeting of the American International conference on breast cancer cells” at the Dogs.” An article authored by College of Veterinary Surgeons Tularemia in Bath, England and 7th International Symposium Abbott, “Comparison of Doppler- in Washington, D.C. Shires also “Biofi lm formation by Haemophilus on Predictive Oncology and Derived Peak Aortic Velocities authored an article entitled “One somnus at the 84th Annual Intervention Strategies in Nice, Obtained From Subcostal and Educator’s Perspective on the Meeting of the Conference of France. A paper she authored Apical Transducer Sites in Healthy Role of Instructional Technology Research Workers in Animal entitled “Brown Seaweed treated Dogs,” has been published in the in Veterinary Surgical Education” Diseases in Chicago, Illinois. conserved forage enhances virginia-maryland 18 antioxidant status and immune Dr. X.J. Meng, assistant “Novel Strains of the Hepatitis included “The Pineywoods Cattle function in heat-stressed wether professor, Department of E Virus from Humans and Other Breed,” “Conservation of Turkey lambs” was published in the Biomedical Sciences and Animal Species: Is Hepatitis E a Genetic Resources in the United Journal of Animal Physiology Pathobiology, was the featured Zoonosis? States,” “Conservation and Use and Animal Nutrition and a paper invited speaker at the 89th Annual Dr. D. Phillip Sponenberg, of Goat Genetic Resources in the she authored entitled “Nutritional Meeting of the Japanese Society professor, Biomedical Sciences United States,” “Conservation of Infl uences on the immune system of Gastroenterology in Tokyo, and Pathobiology, presented Colonial Spanish Horses in the in aging felines” was published in Japan. Meng, an M.D. and Ph.D. four lectures in Spanish at an United States,” and “Variation and the Compendium on Continuing virologist working in the Center international meeting of animal Genetics of Coat Color in Iberian Education for the Practicing for Molecular Medicine and breed conservationists in Recife, Horses and Breeds Derived from Veterinarian. Infectious Diseases, presented Brazil. Those presentations Them.” Dr. Tom Manning, clinical instructor, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, authored New Residents and Interns an article entitled “Non-Healing Subcutaneous wounds in the Sixteen new veterinarians from Michigan State University in the University of Veterinary cat and proposed surgical have been hired as residents 2002. She also has completed a and Pharmaceutical Science management techniques” which and interns. small animal internship at Purdue in the Czech Republic and has was published in the Journal of Internships and University. also completed an internship Veterinary Diagnositic Techniques. residencies are advanced Dr. Michael Higgins, who in Food Animal Production He also has written book chapters clinical/educational programs earned his BS in Animal Science/ Management Medicine at the entitled “Non-neoplasmic tumors” pursued by DVM’s who Biology from Virginia Tech, has VMRCVM. and “Tumors of the Adnexa” for seek advanced training and entered the college as a new Dr. Anthony Gray Dermatology Secrets in Color. eventual board certifi cation resident/graduate student in received his BS in Biology from VMRCVM graduate by organizations such as the neurology. He received his DVM the Virginia Military Institute, students Padma Billam and American College of Veterinary from Ross University with clinical his MS from the University of Nicole Mckeown, working in Internal Medicine, the American training at North Carolina State Virginia and his DVM from the Dr. X.J. Meng’s laboratory in the College of Veterinary Surgeons, University. He has completed a VMRCVM. Dr. Gray completed Center for Molecular Medicine the American College of small animal internship at Auburn an internship at the VMRCVM and Infectious Diseases, earned Veterinary Radiology, or the University. in large animal medicine and honors at the 84th Annual Meeting American College of Veterinary Dr. Michael King has joined equine fi eld services. He has of the Conference of Research Ophthalmology and others. the college as a new resident/ joined the college as a resident/ Workers in Animal Diseases in There are eight new graduate student in small animal graduate student in equine fi eld Chicago, Illinois. Padma Billam residents and interns in the surgery. He received his BVSc services. won the Best Virology Graduate Department of Small Animal from Massey University in New Dr. Graham Keys Student Presentation Award Clinical Sciences (DSACS). Zealand in 2000. Dr. King has received his BS in Zoology from for “Systematic pathogenesis Dr. Hope Baird has joined completed a private practice the University of Calgary in and replication of a strain of the college as a small animal internship and worked in private Canada and his DVM from the the hepatitis E virus (HEV) in its intern. She received her BS in practice in Auckland. Western College of Veterinary natural host: avian HEV infections Biology from DePaul University There are eight new Medicine, also in Canada. He in specifi c-pathogen-free adult and her DVM from Texas A&M residents and interns in the has completed his internship in chickens.” The award was University in 2003. Department of Large Animal equine medicine and surgery at sponsored by the American Dr. North Fletcher has Clinical Sciences. North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Microbiology. joined DSACS as a small animal Dr. Cathleen Lombardi and has joined the college as Nicole McKeown won a Biosafety intern. Fletcher received his BS received her BS in Animal Science a resident/graduate student in and Biosecurity Graduate Student in Natural Resources/Biology from Cornell University and large animal surgery. Presentation Award (2nd place) from the University of the South received her DVM from Kansas Dr. Iveta Krizova for “Molecular characterization of and his DVM from the University State University. She has joined has joined the college as a an orphan virus, porcine TT virus, of Tennessee in 2003. the college as a large animal resident/M.S. graduate student from pigs in 6 different countries.” Dr. Holly Mims has joined surgery intern. in veterinary nutrition. She That award was sponsored by The the college as a small animal Dr. Margret Rogers has received her MVDr from the Animal Health Institute. intern. She received her BS in joined the college as a large animal University of Veterinary and Dr. Gordon Carter, Animal Health in 1999 and her medicine/equine ambulatory Pharmaceutical Science in professor emeritus, has published DVM in 2003 from the University intern. Dr. Rogers has completed the Czech Republic in 1999. a new book. The 6th edition of Georgia. post-graduate studies in the She earned her MS degree of “Essentials of Veterinary Dr. Jennifer Rockwell Department of Biological Sciences in Special Education at East Bacteriology and Mycology (6th has joined the college as a small at Northern Illinois University, Tennessee State University and Edition)” was authored by Carter animal intern. She received her received her BS from Iowa State completed a preceptorship and Darla J. Wise, a former Tech BS from North Georgia College University, and her DVM from the in equine arthroscopy at Ph.D. student now on faculty at and State University and her University of Missouri. the University of Veterinary Concord College in West Virginia. DVM from the University of Dr. Jill Shiffman did her Medicine in Austria. Dr. Michael Leib, professor, Georgia in 2003. pre-veterinary coursework at Dr. Katherine Wilson Department of Small Animal Dr. Kim Vande Vyvere Drew University in New Jersey is a new resident/graduate Clinical Sciences, made a did her undergraduate work in and received her BA from the student in large animal number of continuing education Animal Science at the University University of Michigan. She medicine. She earned her presentations at the Atlantic Coast of Manitoba and received her earned her DVM from Ross BA in Interdisciplinary Studies Veterinary Conference in Atlantic DVM from the University of University in 2003. Dr. Shiffman at Miami University and City, New Jersey. Those talks Saskatchewan in 2000. She has has joined the college as a received her DVM from Ohio included “Diagnostic approach been in private practice for a few large animal medicine/equine State University. Dr. Wilson to chronic diarrhea,” “Icterus: a years and has joined the college ambulatory intern. completed an internship in diagnostic approach,” “Acute as a small animal intern. Dr. Ondrej Becvar has large animal medicine/equine diarrhea: diagnostic approach,” Dr. Megen Daugherty joined the college as a resident/ production management “Chronic vomiting: a diagnostic is a new resident/graduate graduate student in Food Animal medicine at the VMRCVM. approach and the role of student in the fi eld of small Ambulatory and Production Helicobacter,” “Acute pancreatitis animal medicine. She earned Management Medicine. Dr. in dogs” and “Giardia infection in her BS in Zoology and her DVM Becvar received his DVM from dogs and cats.” Virginia-Maryland 19 working relationships with organized Diseases (CMMID), was named veterinary medical associations and associate dean for research and graduate guiding the development of the Marion studies in early 2001. duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in “As a founding faculty member Leesburg. in the college, Gerhardt has a broad Recently, he led efforts to sense of the college’s heritage integrate the veterinary college as a and aspirations,” said McNamee. working partner with Tech’s College of “Moreover, he’s been at the forefront Engineering and Wake Forest University of our university’s efforts to develop in the hybrid School of Biomedical vision and capacity in biomedical Dr. Peter Eyre Engineering. He has also helped craft sciences research. We’re fortunate he’s a major affi liation for the VMRCVM available to serve at this important time with the university’s new Institute for in the history of the college and the Eyre: Biomedical and Public Health Sciences university.” continued from page 1. (IBPHS). Since joining the faculty in 1978, Dean for Research and Graduate Eyre was serving as president of he has established an international Studies Dr. Gerhardt Schurig interim the Association of American Veterinary reputation for his work in developing dean. Colleges (AAVMC) and resigned vaccines against bovine brucellosis, “Peter Eyre has played a that position simultaneously with his a zoonotic disease that causes historic role in building a nationally deanship. He served for several years reproductive problems in cattle and recognized veterinary college and on the AAVMC board, he has worked undulant fever in humans. The RB-51 helping Virginia Tech develop an on the American Veterinary Medical brucellosis vaccine he developed has array of important new biomedical Association’s Council on Government become the global “gold standard” in health initiatives,” said McNamee. Relations, and provided leadership for bovine brucellosis control and played a “His exemplary scholarship, many other professional associations. He major role in the virtual eradication of prodigious work ethic, and sense is a nationally recognized advocate for the cattle disease in the United States. of diplomacy have helped him lead curricular reform in veterinary education Most recently, he was appointed to in a way that invited partnerships and has spoken frequently on the topic at lead the university’s new Institute for forums and meetings around the nation. Biomedical and Public Health Sciences. Eyre is a recipient of the Norden Schurig earned his DVM degree Since his appointment, Award for Distinguished Teaching and in 1970 from the University of Chile. the Sigma Psi Award for Excellence After earning M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Eyre has presided over the in Research. He has been honored for immunology from Cornell University, development of a $32 million outstanding leadership by the Virginia Schurig spent two years working in the enterprise that has graduated Veterinary Medical Association, Department of Veterinary Science at the more than 1500 veterinarians the Maryland Veterinary Medical University of Wisconsin at Madison. Association, and the Blue Ridge He has directed the college’s World and established a national Chapter of the Public Relations Society Health Organization Collaborating reputation for excellence in of America. Prior to assuming the Center for Veterinary Education in public practice veterinary deanship of the VMRCVM, Eyre served Management and Public Health, served as Chairman of the Department of as head of the college’s Department of medicine. Biomedical Sciences at the University of Veterinary Biosciences, and he helped Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College in create CMMID 1987. During his seven- and moved us all forward. We Ontario, Canada, where he also served as year tenure as head of that center, it are profoundly grateful for his associate director of the Canadian Centre established itself as a major research and contributions and accomplishments for Toxicology. development center focused on creating and wish him well.” He holds a BVMS degree, vaccines and improved diagnostic tests Since his appointment, Eyre the MRCVS diploma in veterinary for several economically signifi cant has presided over the development medicine, and B.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in infectious animal diseases. of a $32 million enterprise that pharmacology, all from the University of Schurig is a member of has graduated more than 1500 Edinburgh in Scotland. numerous professional societies, veterinarians and established a As a biomedical researcher, Eyre including the American Association national reputation for excellence in has been responsible for the acquisition for the Advancement of Science, the public practice veterinary medicine. and completion of over $1.2 million in American Association of Veterinary Eyre presided over the creation sponsored grants and contracts, and has Immunologists, and the American of the College Park, Maryland based authored 350 scientifi c publications, Society for Microbiology. He has Center for Government and Corporate including more than 200 in refereed received several major teaching Veterinary Medicine and led a series journals. and research awards, including the of initiatives that fortifi ed the political 1986 Beecham Award for Research and economic underpinnings of the Schurig Interim Dean Excellence. partnership between Virginia and Schurig, a veterinary immunologist A national search to identify and Maryland in the late 1980’s. He is and former director of the Center for recruit a new permanent VMRCVM also credited with building strong Molecular Medicine and Infectious dean is underway. virginia-maryland 20 Delegate Jim Shuler (right foreground) and former VMRCVM Dean Peter Eyre (left foreground) hold a copy of the General Assembly resolution while Mrs. Joyce Morgan (left), Virginia Tech President Dr. Charles Steger (center), and Delegate David Nutter (right) look on.

and colleagues that followed in a local Virginia General Assembly Richmond restaurant, Eyre said it was the most spectacular recognition he had Recognizes Former Dean Eyre ever received. “This is so special,” he said, In an event that crowned an Brooks, and long-time administrative expressing gratitude for Shuler’s 18-year career at the helm of the assistant Joyce Morgan at his side, Eyre leadership role in the recognition. Virginia-Maryland Regional College stepped forward to face Speaker of the “It’s been a privilege to work in the of Veterinary Medicine, former Dean House William Howell while Shuler Commonwealth of Virginia. What a Peter Eyre was formally recognized addressed the chamber. privilege it has been to be a part of the in the Virginia State Capitol with a Shuler spoke of Eyre’s 18 years of Virginia Tech community.” joint resolution of commendation exemplary service as the second dean Virginia Tech President Charles passed and presented by the Virginia of the VMRCVM, and the important Steger praised Eyre for the scholarship, House of Delegates and Senate. contributions that the college makes to leadership, wisdom and sense of humor Shortly after the Assembly was a healthy Commonwealth of Virginia. he brought to the task of building the convened on January 22nd, Delegate After that the formal resolution of college after he was recruited as dean in Jim Shuler was granted the fl oor to commendation was read to the entire 1985. Invoking a metaphor, Steger said recognize members of the Virginia chamber by House of Delegates Clerk that Eyre had inherited a “struggling Veterinary Medical Association Bruce Jamerson. Eyre then received adolescent” of an institution and gathered in Richmond for the a 15-second standing ovation from guided its development into that of a organization’s annual legislative everyone gathered in the Virginia House “promising young adult.” work-day. of Delegates. Following that, Shuler asked During a luncheon for close friends Please see Assembly page 22 for permission to conduct a “center- aisle” presentation and invited the Virginia Tech alumni serving in the House of Delegates to join him as he called Peter Eyre forward. With Virginia Tech President Charles Steger, Maryland Deputy Secretary of Agriculture John

Dignitaries and friends joined Eyre for a commemorative luncheon following the presentation. From left, Dr. John Brooks, Deputy Secretary, Department of Agriculture, State of Maryland; Eyre; Jo Evans, Delegate Shuler’s Legislative Assistant; Mrs. Shelley Duke, Head of the Equine Medical Center’s Council; Dr. G. Frederick Fregin, former director of the Equine Medical Center; Virginia Tech President Dr. Charles Steger; retired Virginia Tech Board of Visitors Member Cecil Maxson; Richmond veterinarian Dr. Charles Hickey; and Virginia Tech Director of Governmental Relations Ralph Byers. Virginia-Maryland 21 Commonwealth of Virginia General Assembly House Joint Resolution No. 43

Whereas, Dr. Peter Eyre served with distinction from 1985 through 2003 as the second dean in the history of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine; and

Whereas, the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine is a nationally recognized college of veterinary medicine that includes fl agship campus facilities at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, and the Avrum Gudelsky Veterinary Center at the University of Maryland at Former Virginia Veterinary Medical Association President Dr. John Wise congratulates Eyre College Park; and following the presentation. Whereas, Dr. Eyre earned a BVMS degree and the MRCVS Diploma Dr. G. Frederick Fregin, who retired in veterinary medicine, and B.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in pharmacology, in 2003 after 20 years as the founding all from the prestigious University of Edinburgh in Scotland; and director of the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center spoke of the special role Whereas, throughout his 18-year tenure as dean of the Virginia-Maryland that Eyre played in stabilizing and fostering the development of the Leesburg facility. Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Eyre distinguished himself as “He was my mentor and my model,” said a visionary who led his college with a strong sense of integrity, encouraged Fregin, who now resides in Texas. “I always high standards of performance conducted himself with a sense of diplomacy followed his lead. He was good counsel.” that invited partnership and collaboration, and helped Virginia Tech make Sumpter Priddy, former president of important advancements in the biomedical sciences; and the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association and long-time Richmond lobbyist recalled Whereas, as a result of Dr. Eyre’s leadership and the excellence he inspired the struggle to found the school in the 1970’s in others, the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary and congratulated Eyre for his role in turning Medicine developed into a $32 million enterprise that has graduated more it into what it is today. than 1,500 veterinarians and earned a national reputation for excellence Maryland Deputy Secretary of in its veterinary public practice training programs; and Agriculture John Brooks termed what Eyre had done for the VMRCVM a treasure on the order of the Blue Ridge and the Shenandoah Whereas, as a result of Dr. Eyre’s leadership, the Virginia-Maryland Valley. “Without Peter at the helm, we Regional College of Veterinary Medicine has brought national recognition would not have the regional college that we to the Commonwealth of Virginia and to the State of Maryland for their have today,” said Brooks, a prominent fi gure highly successful administration of a regional professional school that in national organized veterinary medicine is regarded as a national model of interstate cooperation, innovation, and who is also closely affi liated with the effi ciency and has fulfi lled the vision of its founders; and University of Maryland at College Park. Richmond veterinarian and professional Whereas, Dr. Peter Eyre has made lasting and important contributions leader Dr. Charles Hickey recalled the to society and to the veterinary profession throughout his career, received turbulence that existed in the relationship numerous commendations for excellence, and provided voluntary between the state organized veterinary medical community and the college when leadership for several professional organizations and societies, including Eyre was recruited in 1985. Hickey said that service as president of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Eyre’s sense of diplomacy played a pivotal Colleges; now, therefore be it role in building the solid relationship that has been enjoyed by the college and statewide Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, that the practitioners since then. General Assembly express its deep appreciation to Dr. Peter Eyre for Former member of the Virginia Tech his exemplary and meritorious service to the Commonwealth and to the Board of Visitors Cecil Maxson humorously nation, and, be it declared himself an “architecture college bigot” as he rose in praise of Eyre’s career, Resolved further that the clerk of the House of Delegates prepare copies but added “Peter won me over.” of this resolution for presentation to Dr. Peter Eyre in recognition of A framed copy of the General Assembly resolution was presented to Eyre and another his achievements and to the college so that it might be displayed as a was presented to the college for permanent testimonial to Dr. Eyre’s lasting contributions and the college’s noble display. causes. virginia-maryland 22 Speaker of the House William Howell stands in front of the House of Delegates shortly after convening the House to conduct the business of the Commonwealth of Virginia on January 22. One of the fi rst matters of the day was to pay tribute to former Dean Peter Eyre. In Memoriam “Patron” Saint of Veterinary Canada and a Ph.D. from Utrecht University “It was a great experience for me Nutrition Mara Dies in the Netherlands. because I had a lot of responsibility with Garcia was a specialist in animal a lot of authority,” he refl ected during an The veterinary profession and the reproduction who joined the VMRCVM interview conducted with Jeff Douglas VMRCVM lost a leader and a friend faculty in July 2001. He had teaching in 1985. with the passing of Dr. Jack Mara, former responsibilities in both the DVM Duke joined the VVMA on January Director of Professional Affairs for Hill’s professional and graduate education 1, 1938, held all of the major offi ces Pet Products. programs. He also was a member of the in the VVMA and served as an AVMA Mara, who was perhaps more college’s Production Management team. Delegate for 16 years. singularly identifi ed with veterinary “Dr. Antonio Garcia was a valued The man who quipped that nutrition than any other veterinarian friend and colleague who made signifi cant veterinarians can be as “ornery as catfi sh” besides the late Mark Morris, died at 78 contributions to the teaching, service, and had a big heart when it came to clinical in Topeka, Kansas. research programs of the Department of practice. A graduate of the New York State Large Animal Clinical Sciences,” said Dr. Refl ecting on the depression-era, he College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell Craig Thatcher, DLACS head. “I believe, recalled that “I can remember taking pigs University’s Class of ’51, Mara left however, that Antonio most enjoyed teaching and corn and hound-dogs and shotguns private practice in 1978 to join Hill’s. and mentoring students and they appreciated and rifl es and eggs” in payment for He was a tireless advocate for his dedication to their learning and his services rendered. veterinary nutrition and a fi rm believer in wonderful sense of humor.” Watson’s contributions to veterinary veterinary continuing education. medicine at Virginia Tech and in Virginia As a result of Mara’s leadership, “Duke” Watson, 89 are memorialized through the college’s Hill’s became a major corporate supporter The college community mourns the “Douglas F. “Duke” Watson Heritage of most of the major continuing education passing of Dr. Douglas F. “Duke” Watson, Room.” meetings hosted by professional societies 89, who was a major fi gure in the history of and specialty organizations in the country. veterinary medicine at Virginia Tech. Dr. John H. Stone He also played a signifi cant role Watson retired from Virginia Tech in providing support for educational in 1979 as Head of the Department of Dr. John H. Stone, 49, a member programs in veterinary clinical nutrition Veterinary Science. of the VMRCVM’s Class of ‘94, died and helped Dr. Craig Thatcher establish Born in Oregon in 1913, Duke did in November from pancreatitis. Stone the college’s widely acclaimed veterinary undergraduate work at the University of practiced at Bristol Animal Clinic in nutrition programs in the mid-1980’s. Maryland and earned his V.M.D. from the Bristol, Virginia and was active in the University of Pennsylvania. Following raising of Polled Hereford cattle. He Dr. Antonio Garcia service as a Lieutenant Colonel in World is survived by his wife Terry Hopkins War II, he spent ten years in Peru as Stone; his children, Farnham and Evelyn; Faculty-member Dr. Antonio superintendent of a major ranching operation his parents and his siblings. Garcia who died during an accident that that supported a mining community of occurred while working on a house he 20,000 people. was building. During that time he oversaw 12 Garcia earned his undergraduate ranches on 1.25 million acres with enormous degree from Unam University in Mexico livestock operations… herds of 225,000 City, Mexico and his DVM from the sheep, 17,000 livestock, 1500 horses and University of Mexico. He earned an MS mules, 12,000 hogs and 7500 goats. from the University of Saskatchewan in

Virginia-Maryland 23 Graduation 2003

College Graduates 20th Class Twin brothers who began their affi liation with the Virginia- Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine through the Minority Academic Opportunities Program were among the 88 DVM students awarded diplomas during the College’s 20th annual commencement ceremony in Blacksburg. Erick and Shawnne Spencer of Hyattesville, Maryland, the fi rst twins to ever graduate from the regional veterinary college, began their studies in 1998 through an innovative program designed to provide research and educational opportunities for qualifi ed minority students. Each worked on a M.S. degree in the veterinary medical sciences graduate program in addition to their work in the four-year professional curriculum. Erick plans to conduct a post-graduate clinical internship at Washington State University and Shawnne will enter private practice. Erick and Shawnne are members of a class that saw the changing of the millennium, the collapse of the technology bubble and the horrifi c attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11. In a series of ceremonial end- of-the-year events fi lled with tears, sighs of relief, pride-fi lled hearts and the occasional shriek of joy, the VMRCVM graduated its 20th class of veterinarians during Virginia Tech’s Above, graduating twins Erick and Shawnne annual commencement ceremonies in Spencer. Left, graduate Courtney Anders beams with pride and happiness. Above Blacksburg. right, Dr. William Tyrell, ’92, was honored as Almost a thousand people the 2003 Outstanding Alumnus. virginia-maryland 24 gathered to witness the newest class William D. Tyrell, Jr. of DVM’s receive their academic (’92) was honored hoods and diplomas jointly awarded as the College’s Left, former Dean Peter Eyre by Virginia Tech and the University Outstanding Young addresses his last graduating class. of Maryland, then be sworn into Alumnus for 2003. the profession by reciting “The During the Veterinarian’s Oath.” College’s Annual Graduates also heard a humorous Awards Luncheon, and inspirational address from Dr. Dr. Bob Brown, a Martha Larsen, a professor of radiology long-time friend of in the Department of Small Animal the college, took Clinical Sciences, who captured the the podium near the spirit of the new veterinarians’ four conclusion of the years of hard work in a colorful series of ceremony to unveil a anecdotes and maxims. major surprise. “You’re not gonna make as much Characterizing money as your M.D. colleagues,” Larsen former Dean Peter said wryly. “But you do get to hug, kiss, Eyre’s 18 years of fondle and caress your patients.” leadership for the Eighty-eight DVM degrees, four College as fi lled with “courage” and Ph.D. degrees, 17 M.S. degrees and nine “foresight” in the face of “adversity,” Certifi cates of Residency were awarded Brown then unveiled a cast bronze during the ceremony. bust of Eyre that he commissioned and Dr. Chip Godine, president of the donated to the college. He credited Eyre Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, with building a college once hamstrung administered the “Veterinarian’s Oath,” with wavering political and economic and Dr. Perry S. Crowl, president support into one that is now recognized of the Maryland Veterinary Medical nationally and globally. Association, welcomed the new In response, a surprised Eyre said veterinarians on behalf of organized achieving institutional excellence is the veterinary medicine. product of a team effort. “We can stand Dr. Lynne B. Oliver, the Class of up now and be counted,” said Eyre. 2003 valedictorian, was presented with “This is very touching. It truly is a the Richard B. Talbot Award, and Dr. college recognition.” Above, Class of 2003 Representatives Michael CALS Dean Swiger Inducted into Dalton Society Kowalewski, Billy Danowitz, and former Director of Student Affairs Dr. Phil Sponenberg Recently retired dean of the Dr. “Andy” Swiger was inducted into pose in front of the Class of 2003 gift. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences the “John N. Dalton Society” by the VMRCVM during 2003 graduation Flagpole Installation ceremonies. That group memorializes the 2003 Class Gift late Virginia governor who signed To commemorate the victims of legislation creating the college and September 11 and make a patriotic honors an elite group of friends who statement, the class elected to donate an have made enduring contributions to the American fl ag and pole as the traditional development of the VMRCVM. class gift to the college. A thirty-foot Swiger was honored for the strong bronze pole has been installed and a working partnership he helped foster bright red, white and blue American between the CALS and the VMRCVM. fl ag now fl aps in the breeze adjacent The cooperative relationship to the main entrance of the Veterinary is credited with helping provide Teaching Hospital. unprecedented levels of service for During his address, Class of 2003 both Virginia agriculture and the state’s President Michael J. Kowalewski said veterinary profession. the fl ag-gift was a permanent expression of gratitude “for the many freedoms we enjoy every day.” Former Dean Peter Eyre characterized the gift as “possibly the most magnifi cent gift we have ever Former College of Agriculture and Life received from a graduating class.” Sciences Dean Dr. Andy Swiger was inducted into the “John N. Dalton Society.” Virginia-Maryland 25 development

Development Report from the a Memorandum of Understanding for collaborative education and research Blacksburg Campus with the University of Maryland School of Medicine – Baltimore in areas of by E. Frank Pearsall, II, DVM,’84 Public Health and Food Safety. In summary, we continue to do an It has been another very good college was the initial interim director outstanding job of caring for animals year for the College of Veterinary of this new institute. With Dr. Eyre’s through our Veterinary Teaching Medicine as we raised $4,148,625 need to step down from the deanship, Hospital, of preparing extraordinarily - $5,291,982 depending on how you Dr. Schurig was tapped to be the interim bright students for careers in clinical count some planned gifts, which dean and so could not continue in his veterinary medicine, public health, puts us behind only Athletics and position at the institute. This will not, medical research, regulatory medicine, Engineering for percentage growth however, diminish our role there. In and academia, and in conducting an over last year or dollars raised. For fact, of the three fi rst areas of focus expanding array of research. Each and a young college with a small alumni for IBPHS, we will be front and center every one of these aspects of what base and a small development staff, on two; infectious disease and food we do is poised for amazing growth we recognize that we are blessed by safety. The new College of Science, opportunities. We are running hard to the outstanding generosity of many the College of Agriculture and Life make them all a reality and a source of friends. Sciences, and our college will play a pride for Virginia Tech, the University of We are pleased that a second big role in building the infrastructure of Maryland, and our friends everywhere. development offi cer for our college the new Life Sciences complex on our Thank you for your partnership in is to be hired soon which will expand side of campus to support this institute’s making it all happen! our ability to build relationships work. Additionally, we are working on with the increasing number of traditional friends of veterinary medicine, as well as with those new friends who are impressed with the involvement of our college in basic medical research at the molecular level (cancer, vaccine development), with our role in public health and animal origin infectious diseases (Foot and Mouth Disease, Mad From left, Dr. Laura Leib, Cow Disease, Monkey Pox, and Dr. Michael Leib, Dr. Kent SARS, and Mad Cow Disease), as Roberts, Mrs. Shirley Roberts, Mrs. Nhury well as with bioterrorism defense in Schurig, former Dean light of the use or threat of animal Dr. Peter Eyre, Interim diseases directed against the human Dean Dr. Gerhardt population (anthrax, tularemia,etc.). Schurig, and Mrs. Margo The year has seen many changes Eyre. on campus. We are the only college not to be restructured and are seeing Generations for the Profession: tremendous opportunities open up with the new research institutes. We The Roberts Legacy have and will have an increasing By Jenise L. Jacques role in the School of Biomedical Engineering and Science, the Heeding the call of service, Kent in the college. From a second fl oor offi ce collaborative effort of VT’s College Roberts, fresh faced and full of pride, in the VMRCVM, he edits the quarterly of Engineering, the Wake Forest decided to enlist in the Navy one week Virginia-Maryland Veterinary Notes, University School of Medicine, and after his high school graduation and serve a newsletter that supports the outreach our college. This school is part of the in World War II. He was 17 years old. program of the Veterinary Teaching Institute for Critical Technology and Sixty years later, the passion that Hospital. Applied Science (ICTAS). Our other stirred Kent to fi ght for what he believed Kent’s late father Dr. Clarence and larger involvement will be in the in still prevails. A much respected Roger Roberts (“C.R.” as he was known), Institute for Biomedical and Public veterinarian, Kent is one of the founding had a strong infl uence on Kent’s future. Health Sciences (IBPHS). We were faculty members of the VMRCVM. He Father and son attended the veterinary pleased that Dr. Gerhardt Schurig, served as its fi rst director of continuing college at Cornell University. C.R. was former associate dean for Research education. Offi cially retired since 1995 in the Class of ‘22 and Kent graduated in and Graduate Studies within the from this post, Kent still plays a key role 1951. virginia-maryland 26 After practicing in Morrisville, New York, C.R. began working for Gifts of $10,000 or more Received or Sheffi eld Farms as a fi eld veterinarian in upstate New York. In 1930 the Pledged July 1, 2002 – June 30, 2003 family moved to New Jersey and C.R. commuted to New York City. Fifteen Herman & Mildred Corder Trust W. R. Winslow Residuary Trust - - $2,477,547 for the Herman and Mildred $25,764 for scholarship support. This brings years later in 1945, he became president Corder Endowed Scholarships. Herman the Trust’s generous and loyal support for of Sheffi eld Farms. Sheffi eld Farms was and Mildred were founding members of the the college and its students to $495,326 since then bought by National Dairy, which Arlington Animal Welfare League. 1987. owned Kraft Cheese and Breyers Ice Florence K. Roberts - $298,186 Evelyn E. & Richard J. Gunst Cream. C.R. became the president of to establish the C. R. Roberts Endowed Charitable Lead Trust - $25,121 for small Professorship of Clinical Veterinary Medicine animal research bringing the generous Sealtest Foods, the milk and ice cream in honor of her late husband, Dr. C. R. support of the Trust to $174,355 continuing division of Kraft. Because of mandatory Roberts, and her son, Dr. Kent C. Roberts, a the service to animals begun in Mr. Gunst’s retirement C.R. had to leave Sealtest in founding faculty member of the VMRCVM. corporate career creating and marketing pet 1965. “He hated to give it up as he was Estate of Helen Mahin - $250,000 products. initial distribution to establish the Dr. & Mrs. Marion Bradley Via Memorial right where he wanted to be,” recalls Dorsey Taylor Mahin Endowed Professorship Foundation - $18,000 for the Peter L. Via Kent. to recognize excellence in small animal Scholarship during this period continuing Kent’s father was a member of the clinical medicine. the commitment to recognizing excellence in fi rst class to graduate from the four-year Dorothy A. Metcalf - $150,000 for the our students. This brings the total support to veterinary program and was Cornell’s Metcalf Professor of Veterinary Informatics $72,000. and the Metcalf Human Interaction Fund. James M. and Eleonore E. Stevens oldest living veterinary college alumnus This brings her support to $1,198,000. - $17,500 for the Stevens Family Animal when he died in 1999 at the age of 99. Dr. JoAnne S. O’Brien - $100,000 Assistance Funds to assist animals in Kent decided while he was in the in support of small animal theriogenology our hospital so that those which can be Navy that he would study veterinary research, an area of great interest to Dr. reasonably helped to recover and live out a O’Brien as a both a veterinarian and a top full life are given that chance. Their support medicine and was accepted into the Chow Chow breeder. This brings her support for these funds plus the Stevens Scholarship veterinary college at Cornell. The to $240,000. Endowment brings their support for the Mrs. Frances Farr Young - $50,000 college to $307,000. Please see Roberts page 38 for the Tyler J. and Frances F. Young Carilion Biomedical Institute - Professorship in Bacteriology honoring her $16,600 in gift-in-kind medical equipment husband’s career and their joint commitment for research and service along with hands-on to the veterinary profession. This brings her training in its use for our faculty and staff. Leib Named to commitment to the college to $250,000 in Abbott Laboratories - $16,000 for support of their scholarship and professorship neurology and pain management research to New Roberts endowments. further enhance our research expertise. The Widgeon Foundation, Inc. - Anonymous Trust - $16,000 for Professorship $45,000 to support a publication written by molecular tool equine research from a good Anne Nock and distributed by CENTAUR, friend of the college supporting cutting Dr. Michael S. Leib has been the Center for Animal Human Relationships, edge equine research. This brings the total named the “C.R. Roberts Professor promoting and explaining the benefi ts of generosity to $50,500. of Clinical Veterinary Medicine as therapy dogs. Gojo Industries - $15,000 for zoonoses William F. Sr. and David W. Morrisette and public health epidemiology research. the result of an endowment provided - $40,172 for the Nancy P. Morrisette Maryland Kennel Club - $14,000 by the estate of the late C.R. Roberts Memorial Endowed Scholarship based on for their named scholarships for students in in accordance with the wishes of his need and relevant family circumstances. each class pursuing a career in small animal family. Estate of Dorothy D. Wornom - veterinary medicine, whether practice, $33,692 to establish the Dorothy Wornom research, or education. Leib, a professor in the Department Endowment for scholarship support refl ecting Kindy French - $10,000 for Dr. Mike of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, her love of dogs and other animals. Leib’s gastroenterology research pushing the is a nationally recognized veterinary Virginia Beef Industry Council - boundaries of our knowledge. This brings gastroenterologist who joined the $25,750 for Beef Quality Assurance Program her total support to $60,000 on behalf of her Virginia-Maryland Regional College of educational outreach support. dogs, Barry, Savannah, and Bonnie Blue. Veterinary Medicine more than 20 years ago. The Campaign Steering Leib frequently lectures around the Committee for the university’s upcoming nation on gastroenterology, endoscopy, capital campaign visited and other topics. the VMRCVM recently. The He earned a B.S. from Emory committee is comprised of University, his DVM from the friends and alumni who have agreed to play a major role University of Georgia and a M.S. in the upcoming campaign from Colorado State University. Leib which is expected to raise conducted a residency in internal in the vicinity of $800 million medicine at Colorado and is board for the university by the certifi ed by the American College of end of the decade. Interim Dean Schurig and other Veterinary Internal Medicine. college offi cials took the Leib is the recipient of numerous group on an extensive tour college and university teaching awards, of the college. Here, Schurig including a prestigious Wine Award. points out some things in the MDL labs. Virginia-Maryland 27 Endowed Professorship In Veterinary College

Honors Young (’34) The late Tyler J. Young and his wife One of the VMRCVM’s leading Frances pose with infectious diseases specialists has two of their beloved been named to a recently created pets. endowed professorship that honors a Photo courtesy of veterinarian who studied at Virginia Auburn University. Tech almost 60 years ago. Bacteriologist Thomas J. business and management support, generous gifts that promote faculty Inzana has been named the “Tyler J. he operated veterinary practices in excellence and provide educational and Frances F. Young Professor of Memphis and Kingsport, Tennessee opportunities for future generations of Bacteriology.” Inzana, former director for 28 years. Throughout his career in students at both the VMRCVM and the of the college’s Center for Molecular private practice, he remained active in Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine and Infectious Diseases, is public practice, conducting laboratory Medicine. a microbiologist who has invented and fi eld work for the U.S. Army, the The new Tyler J. and Frances F. several vaccines. Florida Department of Agriculture Young Professorship is a compelling The endowed professorship and the United States Department of new expression of their shared has been made possible by a donor- Agriculture. commitment to the profession, and directed addendum to a more than In 1980, ever-reluctant to “retire,” Inzana’s appointment is an exceptional $1 million bequest proffered in the Dr. Young and Frances moved to affi rmation of the late Dr. Young’s late1990’s that is now generating Opelika near the Auburn University appreciation for the important role immediate resources to fund the campus, where he continued to serve that the science of bacteriology plays endowed professorship. Other his profession through that university in animal and human health and well- provisions of the gift have been as an adjunct professor and a USDA being. funding student scholarships since its laboratory scientist. He fi nally retired “I’m honored to be selected for this inception. in 1992, 52 years after earning his DVM prestigious professorship,” said Inzana. Bacteriology was an intriguing degree. “We live in an age where infectious discipline for the late Tyler J. Young Tyler and Frances Young were diseases pose a major threat to public (’34, ’38), who earned a B.S. in more than life-time companions; health and animal productivity. I hope biology and an M.S. in pathobiology their lives together were intrinsically that my work will refl ect well upon and bacteriology from Virginia Tech connected by a shared commitment to his career and his desires to serve the during the Great Depression-wracked serve humanity and the animal kingdom profession in the future.” 1930’s. He grew up during a period through the profession of veterinary Inzana is a noted molecular of American history characterized medicine. Tyler served as president microbiologist who has generated more by infectious disease scourges that of the Southern Veterinary Medicine than $4 million in extramural funding devastated farmers’ herds and fl ocks Association, was recognized as the and been awarded three patents for through mortality, quarantines and Tennessee Veterinarian of the Year in intellectual properties arising out of depopulations. 1967 and earned many other honors and research that has led to the development After earning a degree in commendations for service. Frances of vaccines for economically important veterinary medicine from the Auburn served as president of the Southern agricultural diseases. University College of Veterinary Veterinary Medical Association Most recently, Inzana has been Medicine in 1940, Young served his Auxiliary and was recognized as awarded a $1 million grant from the country in World War II and landed on the 1990 “Layman of the Year” by U.S. Army to develop a vaccine for the beaches of Normandy during the the Alabama Veterinary Medical tularemia, a bacterial disease that is second wave of the D-Day invasion. Association. caused by an organism listed as a He left the armed forces with fi ve Though Tyler passed away in 1996, Category A bioterrorism agent by the battle stars, having achieved the rank and Frances is now enjoying the peace Centers for Disease and Control in of Lieutenant Colonel. and tranquility of her retirement years, Atlanta. Then, with his beloved wife the Young’s life-long involvement with Frances at his side providing veterinary medicine lives on through Please see Young page 38 virginia-maryland 28 Lynn Young Director Alumni Society news Alumni Relations

The VMRCVM Alumni Society held their fi rst regional alumni event in Tyson’s Corner on May 21 at Morton’s of Chicago Steakhouse. The dinner was sponsored by Hill’s and the VMRCVM Dean’s Offi ce. Over Above, Alums gathered at Morton’s at Tyson’s 45 DVM’s attended. On June 1, Corner. From left, the classes of ’88, ’93, and ’98 held VMRCVM Director of their class reunion at the National Development Dr. Frank Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland. A Pearsall (’84), Dr. Bill reception followed at McCormick & Tyrell (’92), and other alums enjoy the evening. Schmick Seafood Restaurant. Over 80 alumni, friends, and family attended. The VMRCVM also participated in Alumni are playing an important role in the College’s new the Virginia Tech Farm and Family mentorship program. Here, Associate Dean Dr. Grant Turnwald Showcase. facilitates discussion during the mentorship portion of the VVMA The VMRCVM hosted an fall meeting. alumni reception on July 20 in ation regarding upcoming alumni Denver in conjunction with the initiated student visits for seniors who events. You may also have your practice AVMA Conference; around 80 alumni are on rotation. If you are interested in added to the alumni list by e-mailing and friends attended. The VVMA serving on the Alumni Society board Lynn at [email protected]. mentor-mentee meeting was held in of directors or holding a regional event The veterinary hospitals and Blacksburg on October 3. Over 100 in your area, please contact Alumni associated VMRCVM alumni provide students and veterinarians participated Society President Bill Tyrrell at a reference and a helpful tool for self- in the program. The second regional [email protected] or 703-517-6128. alumni dinner was held in Richmond on January 28 at the Hermitage Country Club. The dinner was 2004 Schedule of Events sponsored by Hill’s. The next reunion will be held for April 3 VMRCVM Open House the classes of ’84, ’89, ’94, and ’99 on the weekend of August 20-21, 2004 at May 14 VMRCVM Graduation Alumni Society Board Member Beth June 20-24 Maryland Veterinary Conference; Cambridge, Maryland, Kirby’s farm in McCoy. This will http://www.mdvma.org mark the fi rst time that four classes July 24-28 American Veterinary Medical Association Convention, celebrate their anniversaries together. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, http://www.avma.org On Friday, August 21, we will hold a August 20-21 8/20 - Alumni Society Recognition Reception for recognition reception in honor of Dr. Dr. Peter Eyre Peter Eyre. 8/21 - VMRCVM Reunion for Classes ’84, ’89, ’94, and ’99 For the fi rst time, the VMRCVM in Blacksburg, Virginia will hold a pre-game tailgate event November 18 VMRCVM pre-game tailgate -- Hokies vs. Terrapins on November 18 at the VMRCVM three hours prior to kickoff -- Virginia Tech vs. Maryland at Lane Stadium. Each of these events will provide you with the opportunity to interact with Be sure to check out the other alumni. You will be receiving specifi c information regarding the VMRCVM alumni web site at times and venues of these events prior to the event. http://alumni.vetmed.vt.edu for inform-

Virginia-Maryland 29 News from the leesburg campus

Leadership Changes Announced At Equine Medical Center Fregin Retires, White Interim Director

Dr. Nathaniel White has been named interim director of the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, Virginia. White, succeeds Dr. G. Frederick Fregin, the center’s founding director. Captain Lisa Amoroso joined the Army White joined the center as following the completion of a residency assistant director in 1985 and program at the Equine Medical Center and was appointed the Theodora Ayer now cares for the horses of the “Caisson Platoon.” Right, Captain Amaroso poses with Randolph Professor of Equine Surgery Sergeant Andy Lacy, a veterinary technician in 1987. He is an internationally who also works with the horses. recognized expert in equine colic and

White joined the center as “The Old Guard’s” assistant director in 1985 and Caisson Platoon was appointed the Theodora Ayer Randolph Professor of Counts On EMC Equine Surgery in 1987. He is Black and white television images shaded lanes with a fl ag-draped coffi n an internationally recognized of the funeral caisson carrying the carried on caissons originally built expert in equine colic and recently assassinated President John F. in 1918 to carry 75 mm cannons and Kennedy to his interment at Arlington artillery supplies. musculoskeletal disorders. National Cemetery are considered Eight funerals a day are conducted some of the most memorable of the 20th with full military honors that include the musculoskeletal disorders. century. caisson procession and a 21-gun salute. “Dr. White brings to this job Since then the gallant, handsome It is a dignifi ed, precise ritual, one enormous achievement in scholarship, steeds and disciplined, steely-eyed that speaks of duty, honor and service rd research and clinical care, strong soldiers of the 3 United States Infantry in a way that offers a poignant and familiarity with the center’s heritage Regiment’s Caisson Platoon have eloquent salute to centuries of American and aspirations, and a sincere desire to solemnly conveyed many thousands patriotism and sacrifi ce. move the center forward,” said Peter of others to their fi nal resting place Stabled in historic brick buildings Eyre, former dean of the Virginia- at America’s most revered national at Fort Myer, Virginia, the 45 horses Maryland Regional College of cemetery. called upon to pull the caissons Veterinary Medicine, which operates Eight times a day, fi ve days a are housed and cared for under the the EMC as one of three regional week, the highly trained horses and watchful eye of Captain Lisa Amoroso, infantrymen of “The Old Guard” assume a veterinarian with the U.S. Army’s their mounts on McClellan saddles and National Capital District Veterinary Please see page 32 White begin a slow, deliberate journey down Command who serves as head virginia-maryland 30 veterinary offi cer for the post. “We have a really good working In addition to providing routine Amoroso, who became interested relationship with them,” said Amoroso. health care for the 45 horses in the in a career as a military veterinarian “They do what we need to have done, platoon, she cares for 22 working dogs, while conducting a three-year internal when we need it.” as well as companion animals owned by medicine residency at the Marion Center technical staff and clinicians local military personnel. About 30% of duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in are fond of the animals and enjoy the her time is spent doing food inspection Leesburg, considers it her dream job. opportunity to care for animals that play work for the base. “It’s a huge honor,” says such an important role in the ceremony. Says Amoroso of the residency Amoroso, in an equine treatment “We take pride in caring for those she conducted at the EMC, which is room located in one of the red brick horses, just as we do all of our patients,” considered one of the nation’s most historic stables located on Fort Myer, said Dr. Nat White, interim director of prestigious equine referral centers: which lies immediately adjacent to the EMC. “But the sense of military “We got to do a lot of things that Arlington’s 280,000 graves and the history, tradition and American heritage most residents don’t get to do in terms of Pentagon. “I love it. It’s busy. It’s that’s involved with ‘The Old Guard’ seeing a case through,” she said. “It was very busy.” and Arlington… that does make it very diffi cult. But it was so worth it.” Amoroso joined the military in something special.” May 2003, and reported for duty at Fort Myer in December 2003 following several months of training at the United States Army Health Sciences Center in San Antonio, Texas. EMC to host “Tuesday Talks” lecture series The horses used by “The Old Guard” are largely draft-horse crosses, The Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center is featuring she says. They are even training it’s popular “Tuesday Talks” lecture series this winter. The informal some wild mustangs brought to Fort lectures feature Equine Medical Center faculty and guest speakers Myer through the Bureau of Land discussing topics of interest in equine veterinary medicine. Management’s wild pony rescue project. This winter four lectures will be offered:

December 9, 2003 It is a dignifi ed, precise Alternative Therapies -- Do They Have a Place in Veterinary ritual, one that speaks of duty, Medicine? honor and service in a way Dr. Mark Crisman, VMRCVM, Blacksburg Campus that offers a poignant and January 20, 2004 Prevention and Treatment of Salmonella and Other Infectious eloquent salute to centuries Intestinal Diseases, of American patriotism and Dr. Harold C. McKenzie, III, Marion duPont Scott Equine sacrifi ce. Medical Center February 17, 2004 Growth, Nutrition, and Development of the Equine Athlete, Dr. W. Burton Staniar, Middleburg Agricultural Research and She handles most of the routine Extension Center veterinary tasks associated with maintaining the health of the herd March 16, 2004 on site, but she’s happy to have the Update on EPM Diagnosis and Treatment, Equine Medical Center located just a Dr. Martin Furr, Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center half-hour away in Leesburg. The base has referred more than 50 cases over Lectures begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. in the Equine Medical the years, for treatments ranging from Center’s Library. No fee is charged for the lectures, but seating colic problems to lameness to airway is limited and reservations are required. Additional information disorders. is available from the “educational opportunities” link at Early in the 1990’s the herd had equinemedicalcenter.net. a lot of Shires, according to Amoroso, which tended to have more colic To be included in the Center’s continuing education mailing list, problems. Those problems have call Ann Nadjar at 703-771-6843 or e-mail [email protected]. largely abated with the development of the more cross-bred herd, she said, though they still suffer the occasional colic. For those times when advanced diagnostic and therapeutic support is required, Amoroso and her colleagues routinely rely upon the EMC. Virginia-Maryland 31 White: continued from page 30. campuses. “He envisions levels of clinical and research excellence that are very consistent with the goals that Virginia Tech has set for the decade ahead,” he continued. “We are pleased about his leadership and excited about the future.” White earned his DVM degree from Cornell University in 1971 and completed an internship and residency program in equine surgery at the University of California at Davis. He also earned a MS degree in pathology from Kansas State University. He is board certifi ed by the American College of Veterinary Surgery (ACVS) and he has served as Chairman of the Board of Regents of the ACVS and President of the ACVS Research and Participants in the Equine Laser Surgery Course sponsored by the American College of Education Foundation. Veterinary Surgeons perfect the fi ner points of endoscopic laser surgery. White currently serves as director of the ACVS Veterinary Symposium, a major international veterinary Second Annual Veterinary Roundtable continuing education event. He is a past member of the national Board of held at EMC Directors of the American Association “I was pleased with the productive of Equine Practitioners, and holds an Michael Erskine, DVM, a discussion and exchange of ideas at our adjunct faculty appointment at the VMRCVM alumnus and EMC Council July meeting,” said Dr. Erskine. “We University of Maryland at College Member, served as moderator of the will continue to fi ne-tune the date and Park. hospital’s second annual veterinary content of future roundtables. Summer White has published 139 roundtable to discuss “The Referral: meetings have provided an excellent publications in refereed academic A Key to Progressive Practice.” Panel opportunity to introduce referring journals and has authored several participants included Dr. Richard veterinarians to new faculty members textbooks, including The Acute Equine Forfa of Monocacy Equine Veterinary and residents who they’ll be working Abdomen, Current Techniques in Associates, along with EMC faculty with in the future.” Equine Surgery and Lameness, and the members Ken Sullins and Harold Handbook of Equine Colic. McKenzie. As assistant director for clinical services at the center, White has supervised all aspects of clinical care at the advanced equine referral center which treats about 2400 horses a year with a full-time staff of 60 employees. He has also worked closely with the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center Council, an advisory organization that develops private support and provides operational guidance for the center that has become an integral part of the regional horse industry. “Dr. Fregin has done a terrifi c job of establishing this center as a world class equine hospital,” said White. “He has brought us to a level where we are poised for major Work is underway on the installation of a standing MRI unit at the EMC. The standing MRI progress, and I’m excited about this will enable clinicians to accurately image the lower leg without anesthesia. The MRI is expected to be put on line in early 2004. Center offi cials believe it will be one of the fi rst opportunity to play a role in that.” two such units available in the United States. virginia-maryland 32 Right, farriers Matt Hatcher and Michel Powers.

Far right, from left to right, farriers Michel Powers, Paul Goodness, and Darren Wall. Farrier Shop Facilitates Farrier and Veterinarian Collaboration Renovations and upgrades to and improve equine performance. the Equine Medical Center’s farrier Delaware-based Thoroughbred shop have been completed thanks to Charities of America holds an annual a generous grant from Thoroughbred dinner and stallion season auction to Charities of America, Ltd. raise funds for national distribution Holding stalls, rubber fl ooring, among organizations helping horses a new ceiling, upgraded lighting and through rescue, rehabilitation and an equipment room make it easier research. for veterinarians and farriers to Photos courtesy of collaborate on treatments that address Robert Cohencious/CPTV painful laminitis, resolve lameness

Equine Medical Center Appoints Members of the newly-formed EMC Veterinary Advisory Board include: Veterinary Advisory Board Dr. Scott Anderson, Woodside Members Equine Practice, Ashland, Virginia Dr. Paul Anikis, Piedmont Equine A Veterinary Advisory Board comprised of Virginia and Practice, Marshall, Virginia Maryland based equine practitioners has been established to help the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center continue its Dr. R. Reynolds Cowles, Jr., Blue Ridge quest to provide excellence in equine healthcare for the region. Equine Clinic, Free Union, Virginia Like members of the Equine Medical Center’s Council, Dr. Michael Erskine, Damascus Equine Veterinary Advisory Board members will provide advice and Associates, Woodbine, Maryland counsel to the Center’s director and staff as they develop Dr. Richard Forfa, Monocacy Equine policies and procedures designed to meet the needs of the equine Veterinary Associates, Beallsville, industry and the constituencies it serves. Members will also Maryland work to facilitate communication with clients and other referring Dr. Deborah Graham, veterinarians. Davidsonville, Maryland “Servicing the needs of referring veterinarians is key to Dr. Paula Horne, Hoof and Paw the Equine Medical Center’s success,” said Dr. Nathaniel A. Veterinary Service, Purcellville, White, II, interim director of the Marion duPont Scott Equine Virginia Medical Center. “This group of experienced practitioners will provide valuable advice about the hospital’s function, business Dr. William McCormick, Middleburg practices and communications with veterinarians and clients. By Equine Clinic, Middleburg, Virginia working as a team, the regional veterinary community can share Dr. Nicholas Meittinis, Maryland technology and expertise to raise the level of horse health care Veterinary Group, Laurel, Maryland and advance the profession. I am pleased with the new board Dr. Carol Sabo, Haymarket Veterinary members’ willingness to help in this effort.” Service, Haymarket, Virginia

Virginia-Maryland 33 Dr. Ken Sullins, Professor of Equine Surgery, and Mrs. Shelley Duke, Chair of the Equine Medical Center Council, were among those who took the podium to “roast” Dr. Fred Fregin. Honorary Roast held for EMC’s Founding Director Dr. G. Frederick Fregin, the Jean Ellen duPont Shehan Professor and Founding Director of the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, was saluted in a retirement roast held at the Center. Fregin was the hospital’s fi rst employee when hired in 1983, and his career as Professor and Director spanned 19 years. During his tenure Fregin presided over the center’s establishment as a world-class equine referral hospital. Fregin’s professional acumen, cheerful demeanor and administrative skills all played a key factor in his efforts to guide the center’s growth and development. Fregin has joined his wife Laura in Texas where she is attending divinity school. Since retirement, Fregin has remained active with development and community relations activities at the Center.

Joseph Keusch, MFH, a member of the Equine Medical Center Council, served as master of ceremonies at the retirement “roast” for Dr. Fred Fregin.

Thoroughbred Charities of America, Maryland Horse Industry Board Award Grants for Equine Medical Center Research Center The Marion duPont Scott Equine health topics, according to Dr. Nathaniel research contributions in the areas Medical Center in Leesburg has A. White II, Interim Director of the of colic and other gastrointestinal been awarded a $25,000 grant from Equine Medical Center. disorders, Equine Protozoal Myelitis Thoroughbred Charities of America “Virginia Tech President Dr. (EPM), surgery, lameness and and a $5,000 grant from the Maryland Charles Steger has set a goal for the cardiopulmonary function over the past Horse Industries Board to help university to be placed among the top 20 years, White said. construct and equip new laboratory 30 research institutions in the country The centralized Northern Virginia facilities designed to support its by 2010,” said Dr. White. “Equine location of the Equine Medical Center’s growing equine research program. Medical Center faculty, working here equine research laboratory will also The new facilities will encourage at the center and in collaboration with facilitate collaboration with other private greater collaboration among faculty colleagues on our other campuses, are and public sector research groups and graduate students working at a part of the process that will achieve interested in promoting the health and the Equine Medical Center, on the President Steger’s vision. We are well being of horses in the Mid-Atlantic Virginia-Maryland Regional College grateful to Thoroughbred Charities region and beyond, according to White. of Veterinary Medicine’s College of America and the Maryland Horse Thoroughbred Charities of Park, Maryland and Blacksburg, Industry Board for their investment in America, based in Middletown, Virginia campuses, and at Virginia this emerging area of emphasis for us.” Delaware, was founded in 1990 when Tech’s Middleburg Agricultural Though widely regarded as a a small group of Mid-Atlantic horse Research and Extension (MARE) clinical center, the Equine Medical people, including Ellen and Herb Moelis Center on a broad range of equine Center has made signifi cant clinical and Mrs. Allaire duPont, gathered virginia-maryland 34 together for a dinner and auction in grants to 29 organizations to help for the remainder of the 2004 schedule, to benefi t and promote the well build awareness of and involvement and she will continue to assist Virginia being of retired racehorses. Since in the horse industry through research, Tech’s Director of Equine Fund-Raising that time, a board of directors was education and promotional activities. Programs Katherine Larmore on other established and TCA’s fundraising More than one-third of the horses treated special initiatives. efforts expanded dramatically. Last at the EMC are from Maryland. Nadjar decided to reduce her full- year, the organization’s annual auction time work commitments to concentrate of stallion seasons and equine and Nadjar Steps Down more on a family business and a new sporting artwork raised over $1.1 home in Alexandria. million. TCA’s Board of Directors As EMC Development Nadjar has played an important distributed those funds to more than role on a number of institutional 60 rescue, retirement and research Assistant Director advancement programs at the EMC. organizations. Ann Nadjar, who has served as In addition to assisting Larmore with The Maryland Horse Industry assistant director of development at the development activities, Nadjar has Board was created in 1998 to replace Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical run a number of important community the State Board of Inspection of Horse Center for the past four years, has relations and special event programs. Riding Stables. The purpose of the resigned her full-time responsibilities at She has also worked closely with Board is to promote the horse industry the Equine Medical Center. VMRCVM Public Relations director in Maryland and to license boarding Nadjar, who discontinued full-time Jeffrey Douglas on a number of and rental facilities in the state. work at the EMC on January 9, 2004, public relations, media relations and Grants are awarded each year from a will continue to work part-time for publications programs. fund produced by fees collected on the Equine Medical Center. She will Prior to joining the EMC, the sale of equine feed. In 2003, the continue running the popular “Tuesday Nadjar worked with the National Board distributed more than $52,000 Talks” community information program Communications Association. News & Notables Dr. David Adam Castrillo who Two Clinical Instructors University of London and her Certifi cate in completed a residency at the Equine Medical Join EMC Faculty Veterinary Anesthesia. She conducted an Center, was awarded fi rst place for his poster internship at the Equine Referral Hospital of “Effect of botulinum toxin type – B in the Dr. Jennifer Brown joined the EMC’s the Royal Veterinary College and joined the external anal sphincter of horses” at the faculty as a clinical instructor in emergency EMC staff as a resident/graduate student in American College of Veterinary Surgeons care and equine surgery. Dr. Brown received equine medicine. meeting held in Washington, D.C. her DVM degree from Washington State Dr. Angela Borchers received Dr. Jennifer Brown received a second University and completed an internship her veterinary medical degree from the place award in the Residents’ Forum for her at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in School of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover, presentation “The effect of laryngoplasty on Lexington, Kentucky. Her surgery residency Germany and did her doctorial thesis on upper airway noise in horses with laryngeal was completed at Michigan State University. osteochondrosis dissecans in foals. She has hemiplegia,” at the American College Dr. Elena Garcia Seco has joined practiced in England, Ireland and Germany of Veterinary Surgeons meeting held in the EMC with a temporary appointment as and serves as an intern in equine medicine Washington, D.C. a clinical instructor in equine surgery. Dr. and surgery. Dr. Elena Garcia Seco received Garcia graduated with honors from the Dr. Cheryl L. Fite received her DVM second place for her poster “Measurement National University of Mexico, School of from St. George’s University School of of cartilage stiffness in the femoropatellar, Veterinary Medicine. She completed her Veterinary Medicine at St George’s, Grenada trasocrural and metatarsophalangeal joint as internship in equine medicine, surgery and in the British West Indies. She attended the indicator of cartilage pathology” at the theriogenology at Louisiana State University the Oklahoma State University College of American College of Veterinary Surgeons and her residency in equine surgery at Veterinary Medicine for her fourth year clinical meeting held in Washington, D.C. the University of Missouri. Dr. Garcia also rotations. She has joined the EMC staff as an Dr. Harold C. McKenzie III was competes in show jumping on a national and intern in equine medicine and surgery. promoted from clinical instructor to assistant international level. Dr. James B. Joyce earned his BS at professor in equine medicine. Dr. McKenzie the U.S. Naval Academy. Subsequent to has published two fi rst author papers this EMC Welcomes New service as an active-duty offi cer in the U.S. year. The fi rst was entitled “Characterization Residents and Interns Navy, he earned his DVM from the University of antimicrobial aerosols for administration of California at Davis. Dr. Joyce conducted to horses” and was published in Veterinary Dr. Cortney E. Henderson received an internship in equine medicine and surgery Therapeutics. The second paper was his BS in Biomedical Science and his DVM at the EMC. entitled “Aminoglycoside antibiotics in the in 2002, both from Texas A&M University. Dr. Marta M. Wereszka received her neonatal foal” and was published in the He then completed a one-year internship veterinary medical degree from Murdoch Compendium on Continuing Education of the at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in University in Perth, Australia. Prior to Practicing Veterinarian. Lexington, Kentucky, and joined the EMC obtaining her degree, she worked as a track- Dr. Lucas G. Pantaleon, resident, was staff as a resident/graduate student in equine work rider at Ascot Racecourse in Perth, as the fi rst author of a review article entitled surgery. a veterinary nurse in a small animal hospital “Equine Fetal Growth and Development” Dr. Christina A. Hewes received her and as a veterinary science demonstrator which was published in the Compendium BS in Biology from Boston College and her for second year horse-handling skill classes. on Continuing Education of the Practicing DVM from the University of California, Davis. Dr. Wereszka recently worked with Dr. Martin Veterinarian. She conducted a large animal internship, Furr in the EMC’s neonatology service and Dr. Kenneth E. Sullins, professor, was equine emphasis, at Washington State now serves as an intern in equine medicine the subject of an article in Lightnews, a University and joined the EMC staff as a and surgery. newsletter published on behalf of Lumenis™. resident/graduate student in equine surgery. The article was entitled “Laser Treatment for Dr. Emma Mitchell received her B. Horses – Versatile, Comfortable, Effective.” VetMed from the Royal Veterinary College, Virginia-Maryland 35 Equine Acupuncture Credible Alternative, Crisman Tells EMC Audience

A full house was on hand to hear VMRCVM associate professor Dr. Mark Crisman discuss equine acupuncture as part of the “Tuesday Talks” series.

A capacity crowd turned out According to its precepts, health Crisman said his exposure to for the fi rst 2003-2004 “Tuesday is maintained by balancing the “yin” eastern medicine has encouraged him to Talks” presentation to hear equine and the “yang,” said Crisman, who is take a broader, “whole-horse” approach veterinarian Dr. Mark Crisman a traditionally trained internist who is to treating all of his cases. “I was a talk about equine acupuncture and board certifi ed by the American College skeptic,” he said. “Then I went and took alternative medicine. of Veterinary Internal Medicine. the course,” Crisman, an associate professor Energy – or “Qi” (pronounced “I’m not saying that one is right in the Virginia-Maryland Regional “chee” and roughly translates to “vital and one is wrong,” he continued. “It College of Veterinary Medicine’s energy”) – fl ows through the body gives you another set of glasses to look Department of Large Animal Clinical through a complex network of 12 major at the problem with.” Sciences, provided an overview meridians, according to Crisman. He said he fi nds acupuncture of equine acupuncture and how he “When the fl ow of Qi is particularly useful in the management of uses it in clinical practice during his interrupted,” he said, “there is disease.” chronic pain and in diagnostics. presentation. Acupuncturists “rebalance” the energy A number of “western” studies have He outlined the traditional system by inserting needles at precisely attempted to apply western “principles” Chinese approach to medicine, which targeted “accu-points” that have been to assess the effectiveness of takes a wholistic approach to health carefully located through thousands of acupuncture, but most of the studies are and well-being and considers elements years of Chinese practice. inconclusive, he said. such as lifestyle, diet, exercise, herbal Crisman said that acupuncture “Western” medical beliefs suggest remedies and acupuncture. is used to treat a variety of disease that acupuncture may work through Acupuncture goes back at problems in the horse, including vaso-dilation and through stimulating least 3,000 years, said Crisman, gastrointestinal, respiratory, the release of neuro-transmitters. There who became a certifi ed equine neurological, musculoskeletal and is some evidence to suggest that it acupuncturist about fi ve years ago. reproductive disorders. stimulates the immune system as well, Crisman said. While much about how it works remains veiled in mystery, Crisman believes that equine acupuncture is a viable complement to western medicine that “bridges the gap between medicine and surgery.”

Steve Hummer, EMC physical plant supervisor, stands in front of the newly completed Isolation Unit. The long-awaited facility will open in Winter 2004 and includes eight stalls and a number of advanced management and biosecurity features. virginia-maryland 36 News from the maryland campus

Maryland Campus Presents Fellowship Program

Fellowship participants had an opportunity to tour a number of government facilities in the Washington D.C. area. Above, the veterinary students meet with Dr. Stephen Sundlof (seated on right), head of the Food & Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine.

Leaders at the college’s Center for Public and Corporate Veterinary CGCVM Renamed Center for Public and Practice at the College Park Campus presented a two-week summer Corporate Veterinary Medicine fellowship program for DVM The Center for Government and veterinarians are in “veterinary public students from around the nation Corporate Veterinary Medicine has practice” which the AAVMC defi nes which was focused on bioterrorism, been renamed the Center for Public and as “a new form of veterinary practice agroterrorism, and homeland Corporate Veterinary Medicine. emphasis that encompasses public security. The change has been made to health, epidemiology, food safety, The “Summer Fellowship better refl ect the scope and importance infectious diseases, zoonotic diseases, Program in Science, Technology of modern veterinary public practice basic sciences, laboratory animal and Public Policy: Implications for and to make the center’s name practice, veterinary college faculty, and Veterinary Medicine” is designed more consistent with the way other practices supporting human health.” to provide registrants interested organizations and institutions refer to These opportunities are available in public practice to become more that sector of the veterinary profession, in both the public sector (international, familiar with the leaders and according to Dr. Bettye Walters, who federal, state, and local) as well as the programs shaping that aspect of the serves as director. private sector (private industry, not for contemporary profession. “We believe this move will further profi t organizations and foundations, Eleven students from veterinary enhance and strengthen our commitment animal and animal product advocacy colleges around the nation of addressing the need for an adequate organizations), according to Walters. participated in the event, supply of well trained veterinary human About 2500 veterinarians are employed which included fi eld visits and resources to serve the public good,” said in federal governmental agencies, 700 in presentations from government Walters. state governments, 1600 in industry, and agencies and professional Over the past decade, the number 250 are in academia and extension, she organizations. The event of opportunities for veterinarians to said. was sponsored by NutraMax pursue careers outside of the realms of Along with the AAVMC, the Laboratories and Merck Research traditional private practice has greatly Journal of the American Veterinary Laboratories and coordinated by Dr. increased, Walters said. Medical Association uses the term Ted Mashima. The Association of American “public practice” in its classifi ed Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) advertisements to refer to veterinarians estimates that approximately 5,000 in the above referenced disciplines Virginia-Maryland 37 who are seeking employment. Governmental agencies such as Interim Dean Appointed on Maryland Campus the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant A new interim dean of the University. He was named a University Health Inspection Service (APHIS) University of Maryland at College Distinguished Professor at Maryland in and the Food Safety and Inspection Park’s College of Agriculture and 1995 and has chaired the Department of Service (FSIS) are beginning to Natural Resources has been named. Agricultural Resources and Economics. use the term public practitioners Agricultural economist Dr. Bruce Former Dean Dr. Tom Fretz has or public practice veterinarians for Gartner has held faculty appointments resigned to assume a new federal post professionals within their employ at North Carolina State and Texas A&M with the USDA. as well. Over the years, the terms News Briefs “government practice” and Dr. Ted Mashima associate director of the American Association of Zoo “government veterinarian” have of the Center for Public and Corporate Veterinarians in Minneapolis, Minnesota. An acquired an archaic and even Veterinary Practice, has been elected article written by Wolf entitled “Spring viremia negative connotation, Walters said. Secretary for the American College of of carp: animal health policy considerations” Being a “government veterinarian” Zoological Medicine for the 2004-2005 and an article written by Blasier entitled or doing “government work” is not term. Established in 1983, the ACZM is an “Endangered species recovery plans: international veterinary specialty organization considering parasite conservation” were each perceived as being an interesting recognized by the American Veterinary published in the AAZV Proceedings. Their or challenging career choice for Medical Association for recognizing work was produced as a result of the rotation students who are overwhelmingly veterinarians with special expertise in they conducted in the Center for Public and infl uenced to go into traditional zoological medicine. Mashima also serves as Corporate Veterinary Medicine. the college’s administrative offi cer. private clinical practice, she said. Drs. Karen Wolf and Megan Blasier “This presents an unnecessary made presentations at the 2003 Conference barrier when our profession is attempting to encourage our best and brightest students and recent Young: continued from page 28. their friendship through college. After they married, Shirley joined Kent for graduates to consider specialties in Inzana also brings considerable graduate studies at Cornell University. public health, food safety, pathology, teaching experience to the endowed Upon graduation, Kent worked in laboratory animal medicine, professorship. His research a dairy practice in Frederick, Maryland, toxicology and other disciplines achievements help illuminate the “real- and then migrated south to Loudoun in the domain of public practice world” importance of microbiology County, Virginia, where he established as viable career options,” Walters for DVM students enrolled in the his own veterinary practice and animal wrote in a proposal seeking the name microbiology sections as well as hospital. Kent enjoyed a thriving change. those fourth-year students studying veterinary business and Shirley helped microbiology during the Laboratory with the offi ce work. They raised three Services clerkship. Inzana is also Career Transitions daughters and a son in Purcellville, currently mentoring fi ve post-DVM and Symposium Held At Virginia. non-DVM graduate students, helping In 1979, Dick Talbot, founding Maryland Campus them prepare for careers in veterinary dean of the VMRCVM at Tech and a and medical microbiology. A two-day “Career Transitions personal friend, asked Kent to come A former director of the Center for Veterinarians” symposium was to Blacksburg to help build a new for Molecular Medicine and Infectious recently held at the College Park veterinary college from the ground Diseases, Inzana also serves as campus. up. Kent’s history as president of the Director of Clinical Microbiology The goal of the conference Virginia Veterinary Medical Association in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital was to provide information for made him an obvious candidate. He and conducts teaching, service, and veterinarians seeking to fi nd new seized the opportunity and made history research through his appointment career opportunities in government once again—this time on the campus of as a professor in the Department of and corporate veterinary medicine, Virginia Tech. Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology. according to Dr. Bettye Walters, After a year of selling the He is a diplomate of the American director of the Center for Public and concept of the veterinary college in the Board of Medical Microbiology and a Corporate Veterinary Practice. veterinary community, the school was Fellow of the American Academy of About one in every four launched and Kent was appointed its Microbiology. veterinarians are employed in the fi rst director of continuing education. public or corporate sector, she said. Roberts: continued from page 27. Kent says he felt well equipped to Speakers included offi cials from share the knowledge he had received. the Food & Drug Administration, the summer before his fi rst year in “I think I had a little insight into what USDA, the National Cancer Institute, veterinary college, Kent worked in veterinarians wanted and what I could the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps Rockport, Massachusetts, a seaside do to supply that.” Trips across the and many other public and private area north of Boston. That is where he state soon dotted his calendar, as he organizations. met his future wife, Shirley Fulton. The worked to promote the benefi t of having two stayed in contact and continued a growing veterinary teaching hospital virginia-maryland 38 as a resource to veterinarians in the Clinical Veterinary Medicine” is the fi rst “By doing this, I honored my father’s region. clinical position funded on the college’s memory and helped the college too.” With knowledge and personal Blacksburg campus and is a rotating In April 2003, Kent and Shirley, growth at the forefront of the Roberts’ fi ve-year appointment. “I wanted to along with Kent’s mother, Florence, philosophy, it is not surprising that honor my father who was an outstanding were inducted as new Senior the family recently established an individual, and perpetuate his name Benefactors in the “Ut Prosim Society” endowed professorship to honor Dr. outside the family,” says Kent. Because at Virginia Tech. Clearly, the Roberts C.R. Roberts in perpetuity for his the veterinary college is still relatively family is the true embodiment of Ut pioneer work in the fi eld of corporate new and is working to build its alumni Prosim, “That I May Serve.” veterinary medicine. The “C.R. base, Kent says creating the endowed Jenise Jacques is a writer in the Roberts Endowed Professorship of professorship was a “win-win” situation. university’s Offi ce of Development. “Mad Cow” continued from page 1. But prions behave very differently than these more common disease- causing organisms, explains Eyestone. Normal, non-pathogenic prions are actually a form of protein that Dr. Will Eyestone joined the college naturally occur in all mammals, though after working with scientists remain uncertain about the PPL Therapeutics, exact purpose they serve in advanced the Scotland based mammals like humans. Transmissible organization that spongiform encephalopathies like BSE cloned the fi rst animal in history, Dolly the and new variant Creutzfeldt-Jacob Sheep. Disease (vCJD), the human form of the disease, are believed to occur when the nerves, and then migrate to the spinal been that informative to us and we are non-pathogenic prions that normally cord and brain. The process takes years, hoping that the cow will be more so.” reside in mammalian nervous systems Eyestone says, which accounts for the The core objective of the NIH grant are converted into abnormal pathogenic fi ve to seven year incubation period that is to produce a cow that is genetically forms. characterizes both the animal and human incapable of producing prions, and then Proteins, the building blocks of forms of the disorder. determine whether or not the viability and metabolic processes, are long chains While scientists don’t know how function of the animal has been affected of amino acids that fold in upon to stop the pathogenic process once it by the lack of the prion. Once the cow themselves in predictable patterns and gets underway, some, like Eyestone is cloned in late 2004, the researchers shapes that result from the bio-electrical and Huckle, are interested in creating will conduct a number of behavioral and relationships that exist between an animal that lacks the genomic physiological evaluations of the animal. individual molecules, according to architecture to code for the production of If efforts to produce a normally Eyestone. Proteins normally “fold” in normal prions. functioning cow that lacks the genetic only one way. But when the “normal” “In order to be susceptible to prion ability to code for the production of prions are exposed to pathogenic disease, the individual has to be able to prions are successful, the researchers prions, they begin to “fold” in another express the prion,” says Eyestone, who may have identifi ed a strategy for fi nally way that leads to disease. is using the same somatic cell transfer containing the risks of this ominous In the case of BSE and vCJD, technology to clone a cow without disease. pathogenic prions introduced from normal prions that PPL used to create While the prospects of “cloning” contaminated food sources interact Dolly the sheep and Mr. Jefferson, the prion free cattle on the scale of America’s with normal prions in the body and fi rst cloned calf. 100 million head cattle herd may seen transform them into the lethal agents Basically, the process involves daunting, Eyestone points out that that eventually create the “Swiss taking somatic cells harvested from an with the widespread use of artifi cial cheese-like” lesions in the brain that animal and replacing the nucleus of insemination in modern agriculture, great cause the devastating neurological that cell with the nucleus of another strides could be made in as little as six or symptoms of the disease. cell that possesses the desired genetic seven generations. The pathogenic prions that are characteristics, then implanting that On a smaller scale, sub-populations ingested by cattle in contaminated embryo into the animal for a normal of prion-free cattle could be produced for feed do not seem to be affected by gestational development period. use in other tasks such as the production the normal enzymatic activity of the “We know that if you knock out of pharmaceutical compounds that digestion process, explains Eyestone. these prion proteins in laboratory mice are eventually used in people, thereby The prions pass through the wall of the that there is no apparent negative effect,” eliminating the risk that a drug produced gut and are subsequently absorbed by said Eyestone. “We know that this prion to promote human health and well-being innervated lymphatic tissues, where does not appear to be required for normal might accidentally cause the deadly they eventually accumulate in the functions of life. But the mouse has not neurological condition. Virginia-Maryland 39 Photo by Jerry Baber Former Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Peter Eyre was recognized for his 18 years of service to the Commonwealth of Virginia with a joint resolution of commendation passed by the Virginia General Assembly. Here, Eyre is congratulated by members of the Virginia House of Delegates on the fl oor shortly after Delegate Jim Shuler concluded the rare “center-aisle” recognition ceremony in the Virginia State Capitol. Standing and applauding on Eyre’s left are Delegates Jim Shuler and Dave Nutter.

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