Veterinary Medicine

SUMMER 1999 It's in the Genes Explaining the College's Role in the Cornell Genomics Initiative

by Metta Winter Cornell Media & Technology Services

Imagine if all you needed was a single blood test to tell whether a six-week-old puppy — its bones still cartilage — was destined to develop hip dysplasia, the most common orthopedic abnormality of dogs. "Right now, even with all the information breeders have about parents, grandparents, and siblings, all we can say is that the dog will have a certain percent chance of doing well, but that really doesn't tell you anything about the animal in Photomicrography enlargement showing the structure of rod and cone matrix sheaths in the eye of a dog. question," says Rory Todhunter, BVSc, MS, PhD, assistant pro- had some success in identifying dysplasia poses a particular fessor of surgery in the college's carriers of progressive retinal challenge to genetics research- department of clinical sciences, atrophy (PRA), a group of ers because it is a polygenic speaking of the modest progress inherited blinding diseases of disease, one that is caused by that's been made in diagnosing dogs. Several years ago they the interplay of multiple gene this polygenic disease first found the gene responsible for a defects. While Todhunter's all- described in North America form of the disease that occurs in-one test for hip dysplasia is 60 years ago. only in Irish setters. More still in the future, he knows he Even if you diagnose a dog importantly in terms of the is on the right track. His un- as unaffected based on a pheno- number of dogs affected, they usual breeding studies, in type, it still can carry some of have recently identified a set of collaboration with George Lust, the mutations at the loci control- markers that allow them to PhD, professor of physiological ling trait expressions. "To make identify dogs at risk of passing chemistry at Baker Institute, predictions for an individual, on the defect responsible for involve more than 215 dogs, you need to know its genetic progressive rod-cone degenera- allowing him to begin separat- make-up." tion, the most common form of ing out the various mutations And to know its genetic PRA. And genetic tests are that are always present in dogs make-up, you need to know becoming common for some with the disease. how to detect the genetic coding other single gene-inherited The college, as a leader in errors that cause a disease to diseases, among them hyper- the field of canine molecular develop. kalemic period paralysis, which biology, has joined forces with Already, scientists in the can devastate Quarter horses. 50 Cornell faculty members college's James A. Baker Insti- Unlike these examples of from six colleges and two tute for Animal Health have simple recessive traits, hip The Changing Role of the Academic Clinician

I am frequently reminded of the sciences basic to medicine: comparative medicine and extraordinarily high regard that cell biology, physiology, immu- biomedical research towards Cornell students hold for our nology, pathology, and, increas- basic biological research. The clinical faculty. With so many ingly, molecular biology and mammalian genomics revolu- outstanding opportunities now molecular genetics. Addition- tion, featured in this issue of available for students to supple- ally, many of our clinicians Cornell Veterinary Medicine, is ment their core clinical training assist in developing and shap- one manifestation of this shift. at a multitude of institutions, ing the framework for the basic- Many clinical faculty, mean- specialty, and referral practices, science portion of the veterinary while, are embracing a new role why is Cornell's teaching hospi- curriculum. When students as translational biologists, using tal still regarded as the sine qua enter our teaching hospital, they their unique knowledge of non for experiential learning by encounter faculty who are not animal-model systems to bring our students? only familiar with basic-science biomedical and veterinary It begins and ends, of course, concepts but also knowledge- relevance to basic research with teaching, with faculty and able about both the conceptual involving biological systems. staff who take their commit- design and the disciplinary The modern university veteri- ment to education seriously, content of pre-clinical courses. nary hospital is exceptionally and with people who combine a Clinicians therefore are able well positioned to be central to love for instruction and learning to help students comprehend this endeavor. with an equal commitment to clinical experiences within the There is anxiety both in this the highest quality patient care. context of basic biomedical country and elsewhere about The major teaching respon- concepts. They help students the long-term viability of the sibility of clinicians is to provide create links between surgery university-based veterinary instruction in promoting animal and pathophysiology, between teaching hospital. Can the health and in the treatment and infectious-disease therapy and expenses associated with run- prevention of animal disease. pharmacokinetics, between ning teaching hospitals be However, contemporary clinical cancer therapy and cell-signal- justified as public appropria- faculty are not only knowledge- ing pathways. When done well, tions lag behind operating costs, able about clinical disciplines. this integration of content and as opportunities for experi- They are also well-versed in the across courses creates an inter- ential learning expand in the nal set of checks and balances private sector? that adds both relevance and For teaching hospitals to be rigor to the entire curriculum. most effective in achieving their Meanwhile, veterinarians missions of teaching, providing in the private sector are often patient care, and contributing to CORNELL the expansion of veterinary and M Veterinary Medicine willing — and sometimes anxious — to contribute to the biomedical knowledge, clinical Cornell Veterinary Medicine is published learning environment by accept- faculty must bring an expanded quarterly for friends and alumni of the ing students into their specialty set of teaching skills, knowl- college. Visit our World Wide Web site at: practices. These expanded edge, and scholarly aspirations http://www.vet.cornell.edu partnerships with the practicing to the clinical environment. Office of Public Affairs — Box 39 community greatly benefit the I am confident that our College of Veterinary Medicine Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-6401 students, and they also create faculty is meeting this challenge Email: [email protected] opportunities for faculty and successfully and, in doing so,

Managing Editor: Margaret Hendricks colleagues in private practice to defining new standards for Editor: Jeri Wall share useful information. the profession.

©1999, College of Veterinary Medicine, Basic-science faculty in Cornell University. All rights reserved. colleges of veterinary medicine Cornell University is an equal opportunity, affiliated with major research affirmative action educator and employer. universities are migrating from Donald F. Smith, dean 9/99 8.5M CP Dr. Stephen J. Ettinger and Dr. Patricia A. Socha Ettinger at the Foremost Benefactors Wall at Cornell's Uris Library terrace.

College Honors Foremost Benefactors ornell University and its the Ettingers, who live in the member of the college's Advi- CCollege of Veterinary Los Angeles area. sory Council since 1990. His Medicine recently honored two Donald F. Smith, dean of the practice has offered externships foremost benefactors: Stephen}. college, presented the Ettingers for Cornell students for a Ettinger '62, DVM '64 and with a bronze replica of the number of years. He also estab- Patricia Socha Ettinger, DVM. statue on the Cornell Arts lished the Ettinger Incentive The husband-and-wife pair Quadrangle of university Award, an annual award given have established an advised founder Ezra Cornell, a gift to the second-year Cornell bequest that will support the from the university to its fore- veterinary student with the college. most benefactors. greatest improvement in grade- A ceremony for the "Stephen Ettinger has made point average between the first Ettingers at the college followed many valued contributions to and second year of study. viewing of the stone etched with the college and the veterinary Stephen Ettinger cited his their names in the university's profession," said Smith. "He is a personal appreciation for the Foremost Benefactors Wall on pioneer in veterinary cardiology inspiration of Drs. Robert Kirk the Uris Library terrace. and has written one of the and Howard Evans, his instruc- "The Ettingers' gift of profession's standard texts on tors in the veterinary college generous unrestricted financial internal medicine. His practice, and his "two principal men- resources shows the depth of specializing in companion tors." their confidence, commitment, animals and cardiology, em- Speaking for both his wife trust, and leadership regarding ploys eleven veterinarians. He and himself, he said, "We are the College of Veterinary Medi- is a strong advocate for the overwhelmed by your generos- cine," said Inge Reichenbach, college when speaking with his ity to us. You know how I feel university vice president for own clients, several of whom about Cornell — this is where it public affairs, speaking at the have made their own significant all started for me. My education ceremony. gifts to the college." Ettinger is here gave us the opportunity to Numerous senior veterinary serving his second term as a live a full life, so we are now faculty from the college at- member of the university's able to give back. That's what tended the ceremony to honor Council; he also has served as a education is all about." • In the Genes jag** c CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

institutes to form Cornell • V * \f : ^^ ~ University's Genomics Initiative; the College of Veterinary Medi- cine is represented by four )93 ASN faculty members on the §68 GUV Genomics Initiative task force: Gustavo Aguirre, VMD, PhD; 13b 3 ASN Douglas Antczak, VMD, PhD; Colin Parrish, PhD; and Rory * *«V j Todhunter, BVSc, MS, PhD. . « ^ > # 5 The initiative puts Cornell J • ^ * -i fi in the forefront of genomics studies, poised, along with the r %f/ foremost institutions across the country, to take advantage of • V .1 the latest discoveries in biology that come from sequencing DNA. "Genomics is a set of tools for unraveling and understand- ing the blueprints of life," says Steven Tanksley, Liberty Hyde The structure of the canine parvovirus. Bailey Professor of Plant Breed- ing and chair of the Cornell Genomics Initiative task force. task force has proposed a broad genome of a mammal. That's interdisciplinary effort involv- not too big to deal with until "Genomics is a set of tools for ing the colleges of Veterinary you stop and realize that what unraveling and understanding Medicine, Agriculture and Life determines the identity of these the blueprints of life." Sciences, Arts and Sciences, genes is the distinctive order (or Engineering, and Human sequence) of the more than 3 Tanksley says that new tools Ecology; the Boyce Thompson billion base pairs of nucleotides such as gene sequencing and Institute; the USDA/ARS Plant, within them. Veterinarians gene mapping "have taken us Soil, and Nutrition Laboratory; aren't accustomed to working from the equivalent of reading a and Weill Medical College in with numbers of this order of page a minute to reading an New York City. The numbers of magnitude — we're going to entire volume a minute. For participating scientists and the need help from the physicists, years, biology was a sort of breadth of the work conducted mathematicians, and engineers cottage industry where a person will make it the most ambitious on campus who are expert at worked individually and gener- research project ever carried out dealing with and interpreting ated a reasonable amount of at Cornell. It will more than huge amounts of information." data. Now you can set a se- likely determine the university's Because the numbers are so quencer to run overnight and role in the biological revolution daunting in all of the biological obtain data that previously that will occur during the next sciences, the first of the five would have taken an entire few decades, says Tanksley. major research areas included in lifetime to generate." "The biggest stumbling the initiative is computational block to advances in genomics genomics and bioinformatics. The enormous volume of is the analysis of information," Faculty working in this area will data is one of the reasons a new notes Antczak, director of Baker focus on developing better approach to the discipline is Institute. "Consider that there methods for retrieving and needed. The Genomics Initiative are close to 100,000 genes in the analyzing the emerging flood of Vital to Cornell's work Mammalian, microbial, a genetic basis but environmen- in mammalian genomics and plant genomics are the tal triggers; and polygenic dis- are the continued mapping of other three areas included in eases, such as cancer, to which the initiative. some breeds are genetically and investigations into Microbial genomics will more predisposed than others. the horse, and, focus on sequencing the A second reason for select- most particularly, genomes of microorganisms ing the dog as a target species is the dog genome. important to the biotechnology that the dog genome has certain genetic information. For this industry in its search for benefi- features that allow it to be easily work, Cornell's supercomputer cial agricultural products. studied. The most outstanding facility is an invaluable asset. Plant genomics offers plant feature is the genome's fantastic The second area, nanobio- breeders ever more valuable variability, which makes it ideal technology, will enlist the help information for making plants for studying very basic biologi- of the Cornell Nanofabrication with improved resistance cal functions such as the genetic Facility. Advances in nanobio- to predators. control of size and mass. technology allow scientists to Most wild species are nearly scale down the size of current Mammalian genomics, the carbon copies of each other, and sequencing technology and use area of the Genomics Initiative production animals all clearly gel-free sequencing systems. in which the College of Veteri- resemble their own kind. Not so The result: improvements in nary Medicine is most involved, with dogs, whose genome both speed and accuracy of focuses on three species — the Dogs are a species of DNA sequencing. Nanobiotech- mouse, the dog, and the horse. nology also improves the ability Cornell's efforts in mamma- great veterinary importance. to measure simultaneously the lian genomics will parallel the 68 percent of the cases expression of large numbers human genome project. High- in Cornell's Companion of genes. lights of the mammalian Animal Hospital "If you have the ability to genomics work include the last year were dogs. see which genes are expressed development of a $25 million Many of the reasons at which times, you can ask facility for breeding transgenic the dogs are brought mice, which are a model system what it means to be an eye or to to the college for care for identifying the function of be skin," Tanksley says. "Or we have a genetic basis. can see what happens when genes in mammals as well as you're exposed to an environ- identifying and cloning new produces more than 300 breeds mental change or some disease genes. Also vital to Cornell's as distinct from each other as agent. Once you see how your work in mammalian genomics Great Danes and Chihuahuas. body is responding genetically, are the continued mapping of Yet these distinctions — which you can think about how you and investigations into the breed true — have evolved over could facilitate medicines, or horse, and, most particularly, relatively few generations gene therapies." the dog genome. during just 200 or so years. The dog was selected as a "When you breed a Great target species in the initiative Dane to a Great Dane you for several reasons. First, dogs always get dogs that are big, are a species of great veterinary and Chihuahuas bred to each The College of Veterinary importance. Sixty-eight percent other always produce dogs that Medicine is represented by of the cases seen in Cornell's are small," says Aguirre, direc- four faculty members on the Companion Animal Hospital tor of the Inherited Eye Disease Genomics Initiative task force: last year were dogs. Many of Studies Unit at the college's Gustavo Aguirre, VMD, PhD the reasons the dogs are Baker Institute. "This means Douglas Antczak, VMD, PhD brought to the college for care that the genes controlling these Colin Parrish, PhD have a genetic basis: a single traits are few, because you can't Rory Todhunter, BVSc, MS, PhD gene defect such as PRA; condi- select a huge number of genes in tions such as allergies that have a small number of generations." are an important intermediate People will be working together In the Genes species between the human and and discoveries won't be CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 the mouse. Dogs allow research- happening in isolation anymore. ers to answer a variety of "It is important to realize critical questions, among them: Parallel efforts across species that all mammals how effectively the inserted feed off each other; each advance are more closely related genetic information is expressed, in one domain boosts advances than we tend to think." how long that expression will in all the others. The human In addition to narrowing last, whether the therapy will genome project, slated to com- the genetic field for the study of slow or stop the progress of the plete its first draft in the spring basic biological questions, dogs, disease, and, most importantly, of 2000, drives them all. with their widely varying yet whether the patient might "It is important to realize ingrained behavior, offer a even improve. that all mammals are more unique opportunity to study closely related than we tend to In gene therapies, complex social behaviors. think," says Robert Gilbert, dogs are an important "When you think of a breed, BVSc, MMedVet, the college's intermediate species you think of a behavior," associate dean for clinical Aguirre notes, "of border collies between the human programs and professional who obsessively herd sheep and and the mouse. services. "The worlds of the cow, the dog, and the horse retrievers who retrieve. Ner- One of the most important have been able to benefit from vousness, aggression, or shy- aspects of the Genomics Initia- breakthroughs in human and ness is also common in a breed- tive will be the overlap of mouse genetics." specific manner. These traits, information provided by the difficult to pinpoint in people, various areas of research, Probes designed for the are easily explored in dogs." Tanksley notes. "As you study human genome were used suc- Too, dogs are biomedically one organism, you see its cessfully to identify the defec- a key species because they are sequence of genes and how tive gene that causes bovine subject to many of the same they're used. But they come leukocyte adhesion deficiency diseases as humans. Some of from a common template of (BLAD). Thanks to the resulting these diseases are found only genes that existed somewhere genetic test, this disease of in dogs and humans, such as back during early evolution," production animals is now he says. "You start to under- eradicated in the United States. Dogs are biomedically stand what genes are related to Two years ago, it was a key species others between species. Once discovered that the patterns of because they are subject you understand the function of gene order on the human and equine genomes is very close, to many of the same a gene in one organism, you allowing for much of the diseases as humans understand it in another." progress in mapping the human X-linked retinal degeneration. Comparative genomics is genome to be applied to horses. Some dog diseases, such as where the action is in biology "This strong conservation of Duchenne-type muscular today — the field from which gene order on the chromosomes dystrophy, are true homologues the vast majority of future between the two species is a of human diseases — caused discoveries are likely to come. huge boon for equine genomics by mutations in the same gene. "In order to make real researchers," Antczak explains, Often, as with functional heart progress, we must have a "saving millions of dollars in abnormalities such as arrhyth- platform of genomic knowledge time and energy and allowing mia, the dog disease represents — whether it be for dogs or equine research to forge ahead a naturally occurring model of horses or viruses — that allows at an unprecedented rate." one that is rare and hard to study us to do comparative genetics in humans. At present, more across species," says Antczak. "Once you understand than 300 inherited diseases of "Think of it like a lazy Susan the function of a gene dogs are being catalogued. in the middle of a table from in one organism, When it comes to the devel- which individual scientists can you understand it opment of gene therapies, dogs draw to solve specific problems." in another." Such benefits can also work "To make real progress, the other way. Progress in we must have a platform Career Forum on mapping both the human and of genomic knowledge — November 13 canine genome led researchers whether it be for dogs to realize that certain areas of or horses or viruses — lans are underway for a both are identical, except that that allows us to do P the order of the genes is in- Career Connections Forum comparative genetics verted in the dog. to be held at Cornell's College across species." So when Gregory Acland, of Veterinary Medicine on BVSc, senior research associate Colin Parrish, associate Saturday, November 13,1999. at Baker Institute, and his professor of virology at the Activities during the day- colleagues studying inherited Baker Institute, studies how the long event will include the eye diseases in dogs found the genomes of viruses evolve over opportunity for participating section of chromosome contain- time. There are two sides of the veterinary practices and other ing the defect responsible for coin to the genetics of infectious employers to conduct initial progressive rod-cone degenera- diseases, he points out. On one interviews with graduating tion (prcd), they took a look at hand, scientists need compara- students for permanent posi- the human genome for muta- tive maps of many different tions. Career seminars will be tions in a similar region. microorganisms to learn how offered on recruiting, interview- genes control the virulence of a ing, hiring, contracts, compen- Progress in mapping both the pathogen — making one flu sation, benefits, and career human and canine genome benign and another a killer. On choices for veterinarians. Concurrently, a Career led researchers to realize the other hand, whether given Options Fair will be held to that certain areas of both individuals succumb to the facilitate personal contact are identical, except that disease is determined by their susceptibility. And susceptibil- between organizations and the order of the genes ity has its roots in the genome. veterinary students, as well as is inverted in the dog. graduate and undergraduate "Plant scientists are already students. Topics include career It turns out that a mutation mapping susceptibility to single opportunities, permanent at a corresponding location in genes or single gene loci to positions, internships and the human genome appears to explain why one plant becomes externships. A variety of organi- cause RP17, one of the numer- infected and dies while another zations and agencies, including ous forms of retinitis pigmentosa, shows no signs at all," Parrish public health, armed services, the human equivalent of PRA in says. "The principles are the industry, and government, will dogs. Prior to this research, no same with animals. All that we display exhibits. association was suspected need are the maps." "The forum, offered in this between prcd and RP17. "Human geneticists are format for the first time, is "This is an important find- understanding plant geneticists. intended to introduce future ing for the field of canine Sequencing gives them a com- colleagues to the broad range of genetics since it represents the mon language," Tanksley says. opportunities available to first use of the map for identify- People will be working together veterinarians and facilitate the ing a disease locus," notes and discoveries won't be hap- connection to potential employ- Elaine Ostrander, PhD, a mo- pening in isolation anymore. ers in a meaningful way and lecular biologist at the Fred Such a blending of disciplines early in the job-search process," Hutchinson Cancer Research is the way of biology today. explains Corine Farewell, DVM Center in Seattle, a key collabo- "In the past there have '89, BS '83, the college's director rator in the effort to map the always been cross-college of career development. canine genome. collaborations based on one For further information Comparative maps are also person working with another, and registration materials, critical in unraveling the com- but the Genomics Initiative please e-mail your request to plex biological interactions offers a formal mechanism [email protected] between animal or human hosts for pooling our intellectual or fax your request to and the organisms that cause resources across the university," (607)253-3709, attention: infectious diseases. Parrish says. • Ramona Andersen. • A Keystone Species Gets a Head Start

by Cynthia Mangum immediately drew the attention cated because they involve of both public and private politics, the government, the n June of this year, the last of conservation agencies and public, and financial concerns. I62 Cornell-reared Blanding's organizations. When the New It takes the concerted effort of turtles was released back into York State Department of many different groups and native habitat. They had spent Environmental Conservation types of people to buy into the several months at Cornell, eating, and The Nature Conservancy concept and then collaborate to growing, resting, and receiving co-founded the Blanding's make the work a success." appropriate health care. Larger Turtle Project in 1994 to further The three collaborators in and stronger than they would protect the state's 600 remaining the newly forged partnership have grown without this care turtles and to stabilize and began pondering which among and attention, the turtles now restore its populations, they several strategies to employ on have much-increased chances sought the help of Kollias and behalf of the Blanding's turtles. for survival in the wild. the Wildlife Health Program. Rather than risk the influx of Cornell became involved in disease or genetic impurity that Blanding's turtle restoration might result from importing early on. For years, ecologists in individuals that dwell in abun- New York State have been care- dance elsewhere throughout the fully monitoring the declining species' Great Lakes range, they Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea agreed on an approach that blandingii) population at a would provide the highly Nature Conservancy preserve in vulnerable New York hatchlings Dutchess County, one of only a with a head start on survival. few sites the turtle is known to occupy in the state. In 1992, Each year in the wild, nearly a decade after New York 98 to 100 percent classified the Blanding's turtle as a "threatened" species due of a population's to its dwindling numbers, egg clutches are George Kollias, DVM, PhD, devoured in-shell joined Cornell's College of by raccoons, rodents, Veterinary Medicine as its first or other predators. Jay Hyman Professor of Wildlife Medicine, the only such- Although the early years of endowed chair in the nation. Holly Bartholf, Cornell DVM Class of a turtle's life are extremely Kollias's initial charge was 2003, helps with the turtle release at precarious, once they reach a the preserve. to develop and implement the certain size, generally three college's Wildlife Health Pro- "I wanted to get involved in inches or so, they become more gram, and after almost four this project. It is a collaborative wily and agile and are relatively years of organization and effort with other conservation- safe to carry on doing what growth, the clinical, research, oriented groups with a common turtles do, for perhaps another and classroom teaching compo- goal — the preservation of a 70 years. The chances of them nents of the program evolved to species. The project is an oppor- attaining this life-changing size, the point that graduate students tunity for veterinary students however, are slim to none as and post-doctoral trainees could and other students to gain their survival is threatened both be accepted. The uniqueness of exposure in wildlife partner- by human and natural forces. the Wildlife Health Program, ships and to experience first- Each year in the wild, 98 to 100 one of only a handful of similar hand the role veterinary medi- percent of a population's egg programs in the United States cine can play in a group effort," clutches are devoured in-shell and one of only 20 or so in Kollias recalls. "Conservation by raccoons, rodents, or other existence throughout the world, efforts today are very compli- predators, resulting in tremen- The greatest remaining threat "These turtles are used to to the survival of | moving in certain areas," the Blanding's turtle, and g Kollias explains, "and then a to most plants and animals g road is put in, or water is di- living along the margins § verted, or construction goes up. m The females can get disoriented, of wild land and | and they'll sometimes lay eggs land inhabited by people, ° right next to a road." is habitat loss through Although fossil records and human encroachment — museum and collection materi- the number one cause als indicate that this turtle was of species extinction. once abundant and widely distributed throughout the dous age gaps and missing gen- state, its remnant populations erations in a single population. Al Breisch, biologist, endangered now occupy precious few acres Even if a turtle beats the species unit of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, records near the St. Lawrence and lower- staggering odds and manages to the size of turtles that will be released. Hudson rivers. Ironically, the emerge from its embryonic egg, turtle itself may prove to be the it will remain for at least several inches over nine months due to most effective defender of what years the prey of choice for a the summer-like conditions and little suitable habitat remains. long list of common species a special diet provided them at because growth is slow in these Cornell. This success has been "This species is historically northern climes. mirrored in the project's six part of the natural biodiversity "The turtles hatch out in late subsequent years. The project in New York State, and August or early September, and has now entered its follow-up it starts getting cold pretty and assessment phase, and we should do anything we can quickly in the fall," Kollias on-going monitoring thus far to preserve that." suggests that a large proportion observes. "Metabolically, they "The Blanding's turtle can of the program's releases are really shut down during the be used as a keystone species indeed surviving. winter, so the potential for for a certain type of habitat or growth between September and Despite the apparent success environment," Kollias believes. May is almost nonexistent. They of the Blanding's Turtle Project, "If it becomes widely recog- keep going through that cycle, the fate of this turtle remains nized that these turtles are and in 16 years, the age when precarious, in New York State threatened, there's really much they generally begin reproduc- at least, because of an ominous more potential for protecting ing, they've only had five years' and ever-present threat that their habitat and surrounding worth of significant growth in can't be overcome in a labora- habitat from development." this kind of climate." tory — the threat of human If this remaining habitat is lost, The objective of Cornell's activity. Historically, exploita- the Blanding's turtle may portion of the project, aptly tion for the pet trade and labo- become a mere footnote in the named the Blanding's Turtle ratory use were contributors to region's natural heritage. the decline in the number of HeadStart Project, was to rear Kollias, and many others, turtles, but laws prohibiting 50 captured wild hatchlings have strong opinions about these activities have been in within the safe and controlled what such a loss would ulti- place for years now. The great- confines of the Wildlife Health mately mean. est remaining threat to the Program laboratory until they "This species is historically survival of the Blanding's turtle, reached optimum survival size, part of the natural biodiversity and, in fact, to most plants and and then distinctively mark in New York State, and I think animals living along the mar- each individual for monitoring we should do anything we can gins of wild land and land and observation over time before to preserve that," he declares. inhabited by people, is habitat its re-release into the wild. "Some people wonder why it's loss through human encroach- The 11 hatchlings captured important to protect native ment — the number one cause during the project's 1994 pilot biodiversity. Some of the year grew an average of four of species extinction. Turtles CORNELL IMAGE LAB/ALEXIS WENSK1-R0BERTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

answers to that question aren't known and unfortunately often won't be known until a species is gone. Biologists are just starting to understand the complex relationships between different species, ecological niches, and Nadine Bowden, a habitats, and how they interre- Leadership Program fellow and student from Michigan late. If one piece of a puzzle is State University College removed, the rest of it doesn't of Veterinary Medicine, fit together very well, and there worked with faculty mentor might be a trickle-down effect r Colin Parrish, PhD, that impacts other species not associate professor of virology at the college's even known to have been Baker Institute. She is involved in this intricate web. shown in the laboratory That, I think, would be a really at work on her research Analyses of difficult lesson." project, Canine Parvovirus Variants. Still, some people remain For more information, see opposed to human intervention http://web.vet.comell. in such matters, believing that edu/public/research/ leadership the natural world should be left alone to play out its survival-of- the-fittest drama. Clearly, Leadership Program Kollias disagrees. "The management of wild- Marks Tenth Year life and animals is not some- thing that's just happened Veterinary honors students from herpes simplex virus capsid recently; it's been going on for around the world gathered at protein trafficking with Joel thousands of years," he says. "I Cornell's College of Veterinary Baines, VMD, PhD, associate don't see restoration interven- Medicine this summer to par- professor of virology; Rachel tion as a negative thing; many ticipate in the tenth annual Mo, Class of 2001, studying wildlife issues we're dealing Leadership Program. The targets of protected immunity with now — quality of water intensive, research-oriented against P. tenuis with Judy and soil, food sources, develop- learning experience combines Appleton, MS, PhD, associate ment of roadways, construction faculty-guided research, career professor of immunology; and of houses and other buildings counseling, interactive learning, Mary Nabity, Class of 2002, — are the result of human and professional enrichment. studying G-protein signaling intervention or encroachment. Among the 22 fellows this and growth factor control with I think we have a responsibility summer were five veterinary Richard Cerione, PhD, professor to preserve and correct what we students from Cornell: Sandra of pharmacology. can, and although we're prob- Andrulis, Class of 2002, study- Program sponsors are the ably not going to be able to ing phosphatidic acid in mam- National Institutes of Health, have a positive impact on mary cancer with Alex Brown, US Department of Agriculture, everything, we're certainly PhD, assistant professor of Albert C. Bostwick Foundation, going to try. I believe that pharmacology; Sarah Cazabon, Florence Gould Foundation, efforts like the Blanding's Turtle Class of 2001, studying immu- Dorothy Russell Havemeyer Project are collectively very nity against parasitic protozoa Foundation, R. K. Mellon important in shaping people's with Theodore Clark, PhD, Family Foundation, Merck and attitudes, and hopefully their assistant professor of parasitol- Co. Foundation, Pfizer Inc., actions, in terms of the natural ogy and immunology; Emily Marilyn M. Simpson Trust, environment." • Meseck, Class of 2002, studying and The Wellcome Trust. • DVM Admissions Process Veterinary Practitioners Play Key Role

n October of last year, 1,252 faculty members of the admis- Cornell DVM Class of 2003 I sions committee. "It is common prospective veterinary stu- for a committee member to female 64 male 22 dents applied to Cornell. In phone an evaluator for clarifica- February, as the result of a tion or further information." minority students 20 [African American, Asian, Hispanic, Latino, stringent admissions process, As part of the process, Mexican, Native American, Paciifc islander, other] the college made offers of applicants must provide letters median GRE score 1340 acceptance to 95 of those appli- of recommendation from the verbal 630 cants. Ultimately, in August, veterinary practitioners for quantitative 720 80 new veterinary students — whom they have worked. undergraduate majors just over six percent of the Evaluators are asked to describe biological sciences 41 original applicant pool — animal science/agr 16 candidates, who have generally humanities/liberal arts 11 entered the Class of 2003 at the worked for the practitioner for social sciences 3 business 2 College of Veterinary Medicine 200 to 300 hours, in several other 12 at Cornell University, one of ways. Specifically, they must 27 veterinary colleges in the rate an applicant on each of 12 views it admissions criteria," United States and one of only qualities deemed significant for explains Piekunka. three in the Northeast. performance both as a veteri- Currently, the issue of on- How does Cornell decide nary student and a professional. site interviews is being dis- which applicants to admit to the cussed by the admissions DVM program of study? Qualities that Qualify committee. Some committee "It is a complex process," says ability to handle animals members feel that interviews Joseph Piekunka, admissions ability to work independently would bring an added depth to director for the college. "We common sense the process, Piekunka explains; consider numerous objective dependability others feel that letters of evalua- and subjective factors. In the effectiveness in dealing with supervisor tion from veterinarians in the end, after a thorough and a fair effectiveness in dealing with colleagues field provide more substantial review, the admissions commit- effectiveness in dealing with public information than a one-time tee knows that we've made enthusiasm interview could. offers to the best of the best." honesty motivation In any given year, there Most veterinary colleges in sharing of ideas are 1,200 to 1,600 applicants, North America require inter- stamina Piekunka says. First, all applica- views during the admissions tions are rank-ordered, based on process; four other veterinary "Candid letters of recom- grades and test scores. colleges (Georgia, Iowa, Minne- mendation from veterinarians Then, a full review of each sota, Wisconsin) do not require in the field are very important file — including transcripts, interviews; seven veterinary in the selection process," agrees letters of evaluation, applicant colleges (Colorado, Davis, Hollis Erb, DVM, PhD, member essay — is completed by faculty Guelph, Missouri, Oklahoma, of the admissions committee. for the top 350 applicants. Oregon, Pennsylvania) inter- Next, the admissions direc- Competition is strong; the view a subset of top candidates. tor reviews the results of the difference in scores at this stage "We'll need further discus- faculty review and the top 350 is often so close that it shows sion of the idea before we applicants are rank-ordered in the third or fourth decimal- decide how to best proceed," accordingly. The committee point position. says Piekunka. "Admissions is then reviews and approves the "Letters of evaluation from an evolving process that re- final list of top students. veterinarians in the field are sponds to current needs." • "In order to maintain its one of the most important top-quality veterinary appli- For detailed information on factors that we consider in the cants and entering students, the admissions process, see: applicant reviews," explains the college continuously re- www.vet.cornell.edu/admissions/ Nita Irby, DVM, one of 12 Recent Gifts to the College For information on gifts to the college, see www.vet.cornell.edu/gifts/.

Gittelman Family Scholarship Fund TRUE COMPANIONS Howard J. Gittelman, DVM '82, College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University xininitiiin uf those nho have given generously in honrtr £>f their fnenck .mJ axnpan and Jodi Gittelman, of New City, New York, recently estab- lished the Gittelman Family I Scholarship Fund, which will provide scholarship assistance True Companions Wall Dedicated to deserving Cornell veterinary n June, the college dedicated animals and people...We should students who have clear and its new True Companions recognize them in perpetuity for demonstrated financial need I wall in the Companion Animal the love they give us. It is part and good academic standing. Hospital. The wall is a display of our responsibility to them to William C. Rebhun of medallions made in tribute or create memorials such as this Memorial and Tree Funds memorial to a special animal or wall in recognition of all they Contributions to the William C. person who has enjoyed and give to us and to our society." Rebhun Memorial Fund, which cared for companion animals In closing the dedication, honors William Rebhun, DVM throughout life. Gruver read a poem that had '71, former professor of internal "True Companions is a been written by a friend who medicine and ophthalmology at program for pet owners who knew his dog, Gussie. He said the college, now total half the wish to honor or memorialize a its theme is universally appli- amount needed to permanently companion while contributing cable between companion endow the fund, which sup- to the needs of the Veterinary animals and people. ports veterinary residents in Medical Teaching Hospital," ophthalmology and bovine says Alison Smith, the college's To My Best Friend medicine. associate director of alumni You will not run today Family, friends, and col- affairs and development. Along the white, crunchy roadsides To examine the old stumps — leagues also established the The idea for the wall came from the suggestion of a friend Nor in the woods and listen Rebhun Memorial Tree Fund, to To curled, brown beech leaves cover the costs of ongoing care of the college, William Gruver, Vibrating in the winter air, of the red oak tree planted at the of Eagles Mere, Pennsylvania. So I will go instead. college in Rebhun's honor, as Two years ago, Gruver and his Neither will you pull me well as costs of the plaque iden- wife, Joan, wanted a meaningful On mountain trails, Or prance back and forth tifying the tree as a memorial. way to memorialize their dog and best friend, Gussie. At that Across bubbling streams, Sniffing the spring breezes — Saunders/Schlossberg time, there was no memorial So I will hike alone. Family Scholarship wall program at the college; the Nor will you ever follow Burton Saunders '51, DVM '55; Gruvers planted the seed for The flash of a field bird Lucille Saunders '54; Maureen such a program, explains Smith. Or bark at a scolding squirrel, S. Saunders '83, DVM '87; Glenn Appropriately, William So I will look on your behalf. Schlossberg; and Zena Saunders Gruver was invited to be key- Then, I'll walk back — Schlossberg '79 have established note speaker at the dedication Back to that small pile of stones Beneath the big hemlock the Saunders/Schlossberg of the True Companions wall, Where you snoozed last summer Family Scholarship Fund; as well as have a medallion To describe what I saw and heard, award preference will be to dedicated for Gussie. Knowing that your old eyes, students interested in fostering At the ceremony, he spoke Wet nose and grizzled head Sensed far more than I did a non-prejudicial attitude of "the unwritten social contract When we ran with the autumn wind toward all persons. that exists between companion For the last time. Leaving a Legacy: In Memoriam

Planned Giving Opportunities Christopher Dillman, DVM '67, of Williamstown, Massachu- by Chip Bryce setts, died suddenly on May 29. director of planned giving for Cornell University, (800) 481-1865 Owner of Greylock Animal Hospital in North Adams, n the last issue we talked foundation similar to the donor- Massachusetts, Dillman was the Iabout how effective financial advised funds offered by Fidel- president of the Massachusetts and estate planning can maxi- ity, Vanguard, and others. It is a Veterinary Medical Association mize your legacy to family and fast and efficient way to manage at the time of his death. He was charitable causes you care about. the money you allocate to active in local humane societies Here are some ways that charitable causes without the and interested in international you can leave a legacy through hassle or the fees. veterinary programs. He is a planned gift benefiting your- The Charitable Lead Trust survived by his wife, Susan self and the College of Veteri- is the ideal instrument for Dillman, two daughters, and nary Medicine. passing assets onto your heirs one grandchild. A bequest provision pro- in the long-term with very vides for the College's future favorable gift and estate tax Jocelyn Rearing McCandless, while reducing the taxable consequences. In the short-term, DVM '92, of Victor, Idaho, died portion of your estate. Your the asset is "loaned" to Cornell at her home on April 17 after a bequest may support a specific and provides a stream of year-long battle with brain program area, or you may elect income to Cornell supporting cancer. She owned a practice in to place no restrictions on the an area of your interest. Victor and was a well-respected gift allowing the College the There are many types of veterinarian in the area. She also freedom to direct the funds planned gifts designed to meet was a member of the US Na- toward particular programs in your goals and give structure tional Rowing Team and a response to evolving needs and to your charitable and family member of the 1988 US Olympic technological advances. legacies. Planned gifts may be rowing team. She is survived by Life income agreements funded with a variety of assets, her husband, David McCandless, allow you to provide for the such as cash, marketable securi- their two children, her parents, College by giving assets and ties, or real estate. a sister, and two brothers. She retaining an income for you We will take a closer look at was a native of Binghamton, and/or other beneficiaries. Life Income Agreements in the New York. If you establish your life income next issue. • agreement with low-yielding securities, your gift may actu- Paul Radcliffe, DVM '43, died ally increase your income. Symposium: on May 15. He is survived by his brother, Harry Radcliffe, Other benefits include income, Principles and Practice of DVM '45, of Daytona Beach gift and estate tax charitable Pain Management Shores, Florida. deductions, avoidance of capital in Animals gain taxes, diversification, and professional investment man- Thursday, agement for no fee. Life income October 28, 1999 agreements include charitable featuring gift annuities, pooled life in- a dinner honoring come funds and charitable Charles E. Short, DVM, MS, PhD remainder trusts. professor of anesthesiology and pain management The Cornell University Foundation is a way to make hosted by charitable gifts through the Department of Clinical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine structure of a community Cornell University reservations: (607) 253-3029 People, Honors, and Awards

Alison R. Smith, formerly the Douglas F. Antczak, VMD, associate director of alumni PhD, Dorothy Havemeyer affairs and annual giving, McConville Professor of Equine assumed the role of associate Medicine at Cornell's College director of alumni affairs and of Veterinary Medicine, was development, effective August recently reappointed as director 1. Smith has served eight years of the college's James A. Baker in alumni affairs and develop- Institute for Animal Health for ment at the college. Her exper- a second five-year term, effec- tise and extensive connections tive July 1. with college alumni and friends "During his tenure as director will help the college deepen during the past five years, the existing relationships and more Baker Institute has grown in effectively forge new ones. In academic stature and visibility her new development role, and its research infrastructure Smith will manage special has been strengthened," says fundraising programs such as Donald F. Smith, DVM, dean of the college. "The scientific Tracey L. Brant, '84, formerly scholarships and planned accomplishments of the institute reunion campaign officer in giving; coordinate development continue to be held in high Cornell's alumni affairs and volunteer training and leader- esteem, both within this college development office, joined the ship groups; oversee donor and within the veterinary and college's public affairs office on recognition, gift reporting, biomedical communities." September 1 as assistant direc- special publications, and special tor of alumni affairs and devel- events for the college's alumni Katherine M. Edmondson, opment. Brant brings the college affairs and development efforts; PhD, the college's assistant dean broad experience and connec- and serves as the college's for learning and instruction, tions at Cornell. She also liaison to the university's and Donald F. Smith, DVM, formerly served as an extension alumni affairs and development dean, presented papers at the agent with Cornell's Coopera- office. In addition, she will 1999 annual meeting of the tive Extension, worked with continue to provide leadership American Educational Research NYS Division for Youth, and for overall operations in alumni affairs and special projects. Association. Edmondson's from 1988 to 1993 worked as a paper, presented jointly with technician in the college's Charles McClintock, professor theriogenology unit. In her new of policy analysis and manage- role, Brant will provide leader- ment and associate dean of ship and management for the Cornell's College of Human college's alumni affairs and Ecology, was entitled "Expertise annual giving efforts; manage as Knowledge Transformation: all reunion activities and volun- Linking Research-Based and teer coordination; oversee all Practitioner-Based Knowledge daily gift processing and data in Professional Education;" management systems for the Smith's presentation was college; coordinate special "Expansion of a Biomedical programs such as Young Research Program During Alumni, Alumni Grants, Implementation of a Problem- Alumni Forum, Student Ambas- Based Learning Curriculum." sadors, and Student Philan- thropy; and develop opportuni- Martin Goldstein, DVM '73, a ties that facilitate the college's holistic veterinarian, recently work with alumni and friends. published The Nature of Animal Healing: The Path to Your Pet's United States" authored by and staff veterinarian of the Health, Happiness, and Longevity. several scientists from the exotic animal training and He operates a practice in South college's department of popula- management program at Salem, New York. tion medicine and diagnostic Moorpark College in Moorpark, sciences: Patrick L. McDonough, California. He and his wife, Franklin M. Loew, DVM '65, MS, PhD, assistant professor of Linda D. Reeve, DVM, own a PhD, former dean of both Tufts' microbiology; Sang J. Shin, practice limited to animals of all and Cornell's colleges of veteri- DVM, associate professor of species working in the movie and nary medicine, recently was microbiology; Michael A. television industries. inaugurated as the eighth Brunner, PhD, DVM, research president of Becker College in support specialist; and Donald David Robertshaw, BVMS, PhD, Worcester, Massachusetts. H. Lein, DVM, PhD, chair of the professor of physiology at Loew, who also earned his department. The paper also was Cornell's College of Veterinary bachelor's degree at Cornell in co-authored by David Fogelman. Medicine, made a presentation 1961, served as eighth dean of The paper, also to be pub- in April at the Cornell Club of the College of Veterinary Medi- lished in the September issue of Washington, DC, titled "The cine, 1995-97. He has a PhD in ASM News, the monthly maga- Lion in Winter: How Big Cats nutrition from Canada's Univer- zine for the American Society Keep Warm." Robertshaw sity of Saskatchewan. He re- for Microbiology, describes researches the physiology of turned to Cornell as dean from Salmonella ent erica serotype adaptation of animals and man Tufts University, where he had Dublin as an emerging infec- to desert environments and been dean of the School of tious disease for the Northeast- physiological responses to Veterinary Medicine since 1982. ern United States, previously exercise. He came to Cornell Prior to that he was director of thought to be a disease confined in 1987 from Colorado State comparative medicine at Johns to west of the Rockies. The University; he also has spent Hopkins School of Medicine. scientists were able to show that nine years in Kenya working He is an elected member of the the disease, which presents in first at a research institute and Institute of Medicine of the older calves primarily as a later as chair of the department National Academy of Sciences pneumonia/septicemia rather of animal physiology at the and is known for his research than a primarily diarrheal University of Nairobi. and commentary on animals disease, spread from the Mid- and their role in society. west, most likely via unclean Kenneth W. Simpson, BVM&S, transport trucks. PhD, assistant professor of Donna Manderino, DVM '83, medicine in the department of has been named Veterinarian of James F. Peddie, DVM '65, clinical sciences at Cornell's the Year by the Northern New recently was inducted as a College of Veterinary Medicine, Jersey Veterinary Medical Distinguished Practitioner into is the guest editor of a text, The Association. She is director and the National Academies of Veterinary Clinics of North co-owner with Maryanne Kern, Practice, a nonprofit organiza- America: Small Animal Practice, DVM '87, of Park Ridge Animal tion representing 10 healthcare Progress in Gastroenterology, Hospital, featured in the June disciplines — dentistry, medi- published by W.B. Saunders issue of Veterinary Economics as cine, nursing, optometry, osteo- Company, Philadelphia. its 1999 Practice of Excellence pathic medicine, pharmacy, Simpson and Dalit Strauss- award winner. podiatry, psychology, social Ayali, DVM, MS, post-doctoral work, and veterinary medicine associate in the college's depart- The Journal of Clinical Microbiol- — and dedicated to the need for ment of clinical sciences, co- ogy published a paper in its interdisciplinary collaboration authored the book's chapter on August issue titled "Salmonella in healthcare. Peddie serves as "Gastric Helicobacter Infection enterica serotype Dublin infec- treasurer of the 61,000-member in Dogs." • tion: an emerging infectious American Veterinary Medical disease for the Northeastern Association. He is an instructor CORNELL Veterinary Medicine Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID College of Veterinary Medicine Ithaca, NY 14850 Cornell University Permit No. 780 Ithaca, New York 14853-6401

CORNELL

© KATHY MORRIS

Calendar of Events (left) Eric Davis, Events are at Cornell's College of DVM '79, and Jimmy Mitchell Veterinary Medicine unless noted. (left), weekend For a detailed listing of events at musicians in the college, check the Web site: the band www.vet.cornell.edu/calendar/ Street Corner, sing for the September Reunion crowd. 15-17 NYS Veterinary Medical Society (below) Robert annual meeting, Lake Placid Kirk, DVM '46, 23-26 American Association of enjoying the Bovine Practitioners, Nashville festivities. 30 American College of Veterinary Surgeons, San Francisco Reunion 1999 October Reunion Weekend was held at Cornell 1-3 ACVS, San Francisco University in early June. In addition to 7-9 Trustee Council annual numerous university-wide events, meeting, Cornell University alumni of the College of Veterinary 28 Symposium on Pain Management Medicine also attended several events in Companion Animals specific to the college: a welcome reception hosted by the dean; tours November of the college facilities; a breakfast; 4 National Horse Show, an address by the dean; a keynote New York City speech by Roger G. Ellis, DVM '77; 5-7 Cornell Homecoming workshops on the Alumni Forum and 13 Career Connections Forum the college's web site; a picnic at the Equine Research Park; class picnics; December class dinners. Shown here are several 5-8 American Association of photographs from the Friday evening Equine Practitioners, Albuquerque picnic at the Equine Research Park. University offices closed until January 3