WSU College of Veterinary Medicine

?? Congratulations, Charles Ugwu, PhD student in Immunology and Infectious Diseases, for placing second and representing #WSUVetMed on the university level at today’s 11th annual #WSU Three Minute Thesis competition. Mentored by professor Dr. Anders Omsland, Charles is leading research to identify strategies that can limit the ability of a common type of pathogenic bacteria to utilize the metabolic requirements critical for its proliferation. By earning second place in the competition, Charles earned a travel grant worth $1,500 to be applied to a research conference of his choice. #3MT #GoCougs What Charles’ full presentation: https://lnkd.in/g66nDEFq

???? Trenna Pannier-McQuillan is just weeks from beginning her veterinary career and, thanks to surgery and round-the-clock care at Washington State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Shirley, her once gravely ill horse, is going with her. “We went back and forth on it – whether to continue or to humanely euthanize. I didn’t want her to suffer but we also wanted to give her a fighting chance. After 12 hours of intensive treatment, she started to trend upward,” said Pannier, a veterinary student in her senior year at WSU. #Equine #WSU #WSUVetMed #GoCougs Read Shirley's story: https://lnkd.in/dFFi7C52

???? ?? ?? Congratulations to all of our students who presented their research at #WSU's Showcase for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities. This year students from the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine earned awards in five of the nine research categories. Here’s a list of our award-winning undergraduate students, as well as those who received honors who were mentored by College of Veterinary Medicine faculty. Molecular, Cellular, and Chemical Biology: genetics and cell biology student Kaitlyn Ipsen, Gray Award; microbiology student Giselle Sotelo, Gray Award; genetics and cell biology student Gabriella "GiGi" Searle, Gray Award; bioengineering student Michael Fasci, Gray Award; neuroscience student Riana Abeshima, Gray Award; neuroscience student Lauren Benjamin, Gray Award; neuroscience student Taylor Christopherson, Gray Award; neuroscience and psychology student Tiana LaFollette; biochemistry student Sahil Ganjyal, Crimson Award. Applied Sciences: students Niamh Berry, Georgia Bohm, Olivia Christensen, Edward Naumann, and Fernando Pimienta Echeagaray, Gray Award. Research Proposal: psychology student Emily Eddy, Crimson Award; animal sciences student Mackenzie Potter, Crimson Award. Organismal, Population, Ecological, and Evolutionary Biology: biochemistry and chemistry student Braeden Stiffler, Gray Award. Social Sciences: neuroscience and psychology student Travis Hale, Gray Award. #UndergradResearch #WSU #GoCougs

Tonight, six distinguished alumni from the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine were recognized for their exceptional contributions to the veterinary profession at the college's Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony. Congratulations to all of our alumni who received some of their alma mater’s highest honors. Dr. Terry McElwain – Distinguished Alumni Award: Dr. McElwain, an expert in global disease surveillance, co-founded the Paul G. Allen School for Global Health and helped establish the National Animal Health Laboratory Network. Dr. Duane Wolverton ('77 DVM) – Outstanding Service Alumni Award: Dr. Wolverton served his community in Orofino, Idaho, for over four decades, offering discounted spays, neuters, and a sanctuary for pets while supporting local 4-H programs. Dr. Jennifer Erickson ('06 BS Neuroscience) – Undergraduate Alumni Award: Dr. Erickson, an assistant professor at the University of Washington, specializes in collaborative care and brain injury, mentoring future psychiatrists. Dr. Peter Anderson ('81 DVM) – Excellence in Teaching and Research Award: Dr. Anderson, a professor of pathology at UAB, has published over 100 papers and holds six patents in cardiovascular research. Dr. Paul Morley ('86 BS, '87 BS, '89 DVM) – Excellence in Teaching and Research Award: Dr. Morley, a professor and research director at Texas A&M, has published over 230 articles and secured $21 million in research funding in epidemiology and infectious diseases. Dr. Loren Koller ('65 DVM) – WSU Alumni Association’s Alumni Achievement Award: Dr. Koller, a pathologist and researcher, pioneered immunotoxicology and carcinogenesis and served as dean at Oregon State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. More about the Alumni Awards and our distinguished alumni: https://lnkd.in/gQvdxQ2k

?? ?? A bond so profound that no amount of money could persuade most people to part with their dog. A bond so deeply rooted that dogs have evolved to understand human social cues better than primates. A bond so prevalent that nearly half of American households include a canine companion, with most considering them family. These themes took center stage at tonight’s Distinguished Bustad Lecture, delivered by Dr. Kerri Rodriguez, PhD, a leading human-animal bond researcher and veterinarian at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Rodriguez shared key insights into the science behind the human-dog relationship, including her study that found veterans working with service dogs had 66% lower odds of receiving a PTSD diagnosis from a mental health professional after three months with a dog.?She also focused on scientifically-backed benefits of canine companionship: increased human interaction, emotional support, lower stress, a healthier lifestyle, to name a few. The Bustad Lecture is an annual honor of late veterinarian and longtime WSU College of Veterinary Medicine dean Dr. Leo Bustad known for his early research on the human-animal bond. #HumanAnimalBond #WSUVetMed #WSU #GoCougs

In June 1933, Dr. Catherine Roberts became the first woman to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University, breaking barriers in a male-dominated field. She didn’t stop there—Dr. Roberts went on to become the first woman to pass the California veterinary board exam, setting a record for the highest score ever achieved at the time. Decades later, in 1977, Lorain Miller, a high school student from Burien, Washington, and aspiring veterinarian, reached out to Dr. Roberts to document her story for the National Organization for Women’s essay contest on American women pioneers. Dr. Roberts responded with a detailed 10-page letter, typed out with care, offering a rare firsthand account of her groundbreaking achievements. Miller’s essay won first place in her school district, earning her a $1,000 award. Today, Lorain Miller—now Dr. Lorain Abel—is a proud 1987 graduate of Washington State University and has been practicing veterinary medicine for nearly 40 years. Her award-winning essay, along with Dr. Roberts’ letter, remains a vital record of Washington’s first female pioneer in veterinary medicine. #WomensHistoryMonth #WSUVetMed #WSU #GoCougs Read Dr. Roberts’ story, her letter, and Dr. Abel's award-winning essay: https://lnkd.in/gc3qAzhw

Wei Yan M.D., Ph.D., director of #WSU's School of Molecular Biosciences, has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the American Society of Andrology | ASA’s Distinguished Andrologist Award. The award is the highest honor bestowed by the ASA and is presented annually to an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to advancing andrology, the medical specialty focused on the male reproductive system. With a membership of over 600 professionals worldwide, the ASA is dedicated to fostering scientific exchange and expanding knowledge in the field of male reproductive health. More about Dr. Yan's and the Distinguished Andrologist Award: https://lnkd.in/gnj9NCSj

The newly founded Barbet Family African Graduate Student Travel Fund aims to enhance training opportunities for African graduate students in collaborative programs with the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine. The endowment is one of the many legacies Dr.?Anthony “Tony” Barbet leaves behind after his death to cancer in February?2024 that illustrate his longstanding commitment to research into infectious disease, education, and mentorship. Established by Tony’s wife, Dr.?Joy Barbet (’82?DVM), and their family — the fund will provide financial assistance for travel expenses, enabling students from Africa to participate in short-term stays at WSU where they can further their research training and mentorship. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/gMmfgaqD

?? This week fifth graders from Pullman ventured to the WSU campus to take part in and judge interactive, hands-on science experiments developed by WSU neuroscience seniors. The event — Kids Judge — has become a college tradition and a student favorite. Shout out to our neuroscience department for keeping this community event going year after year. #STEM #Science #Neuroscience #WSUVetMed #WSU #GoCougs

When Brenda Adams noticed her Doberman, Calvin, limping, she naturally assumed he had something stuck in his paw. The limp, however, was a sign of something far more serious. Calvin, then 8 years old, had osteosarcoma, a deadly and aggressive bone cancer in his left shoulder. The standard treatment would have been amputating his entire leg, but due to a prior hip injury, that was not an ideal option for Calvin. Read how a rare surgery — the first ever performed at #WSUVetMed — saved Calvin and added years to his life. #WSU #GoCougs Read Calvin’s story: https://lnkd.in/gDKVzj5a