The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine has achieved a milestone in animal welfare by approving its first 100 Canine Care Certified (CCC) dog breeders. Purdue’s CCC program, which sets rigorous science-based and expert-reviewed requirements for breeders, is positioned to become the gold standard for canine welfare assurance.
As demand grows for dogs and puppies, consumers may inadvertently seek a new pet from an irresponsible source without seeing the dog, meeting the breeder, or knowing what questions to ask or how to evaluate the answers. The CCC program offers an evidence-based solution for breeders and pet owners alike.
Photo provided by Dr. Candace Croney
“This program does the ethical and scientific homework for the customer,” said Dr. Candace Croney, professor of animal behavior and well-being and director of the Center for Animal Welfare Science in the colleges of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine at Purdue. “It allows people to make an informed choice about a breeder’s commitment to animal welfare when they are trying to bring a healthy, happy dog into their home, and it helps identify and support good breeders, rather than puppy mills that disregard animal welfare entirely.”
CCC standards for adult dogs and puppies exceed current regulations and ensure breeders are attending to their dogs’ physical, genetic and behavioral health. The standards fall into five pillars of care for nutrition, veterinary care, housing, handling, and exercise.
“What we’ve created here — along with a third-party auditing scheme which is widely recognized as best practice in animal assurance — is precedent-setting for the U.S. and global pet industries and pet families, and should be a huge point of pride for Purdue and the state of Indiana,” Dr. Croney said. She created the initial standards of care in 2013 based on existing and ongoing research. Dr. Croney further developed them in collaboration with leaders in academic and practicing animal science and veterinary medicine who have expertise in diverse canine welfare sciences.
The program evolved in response to requests from Amish dog breeders in Indiana who wanted to improve their operations, which have been publicly criticized. Members of this underserved population make up the majority of certified breeders to date. They have been open to doing things differently once provided tools and knowledge, Dr. Croney said.
Photo provided by Dr. Candace Croney
Breeders who voluntarily become certified set themselves apart as high-quality breeding operations that provide industry-leading care. Lonnie Wagler, the first CCC breeder, has already seen positive results from the program. ”Once we were following the standards, we saw pups and parents that were much more social and now have no trouble moving right into loving homes,” Wagler said.
“I gauge the success of the program on our puppy families’ response, and it is very positive for raising the bar for everyone involved,” agreed CCC breeder John Troyer. “This is truly going to be game-changing.”
These and other CCC breeders reflect a commitment to transforming their industry with the support and leadership of the Purdue Center for Animal Welfare Science. “Purdue’s history of leadership on animal welfare is well-known and long-standing,” Dr. Croney said. “Because we are a land-grant university and have well-established animal welfare science expertise, we can conduct and translate the science to the end users through outreach. Even better, the research outcomes and feasibility of the program are backed up directly by the participating breeders. It is the Extension model perfectly in play.”
Matten Schwartz, CCC’s 100th breeder, hopes others will follow suit. “This is something that all breeders should do,” Schwartz said. “I look forward to meeting the 1,000th breeder!”
A veteran with extensive Purdue experience has joined the staff of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine as director of student services. Jamie Richards started in the new role Monday, March 21. He comes to PVM from Purdue’s Veterans Success Center, where he served as the inaugural director. His Purdue career follows 20 years of service in the U.S Navy split between duty on a submarine and in the Seabees.
In his new role in the College of Veterinary Medicine, Jamie will oversee the Student Services team and report to Assistant Dean for Student Services Jim Weisman. His appointment coincides with Dr. Weisman’s transition to academic affairs overseeing clinical education. “We are excited to welcome Jamie to the PVM family in this new role in which he will provide day-to-day leadership of PVM Student Services,” Dr. Weisman said. “We look forward to the positive impact he will have on advancing our student success programming.”
Outside of work, family (including animals) is a big part of Jamie’s family life. In addition to three children – an 11-year-old son and two daughters in their 20s – Jamie and his wife have four dogs, four cats, chickens, and a horse. In Jamie’s spare time, he enjoys traveling with his family, camping, backpacking, canoeing, reading, bicycling, woodworking, listening to and playing music, and “…trying to learn French.”
Jamie’s office is located in the Student Services Center in Lynn 1185. He can be reached at jamie@purdue.edu, or 756-494-7893. Please help extend a warm PVM welcome to Jamie!
In Memory: Drs. Larry Oliver (PU DVM ’64) and John Nease (PU DVM ’70)
Friday, March 25, 2022
The Purdue Veterinary Medicine family is saddened by the recent passing of two alumni – Dr. Lawrence (Larry) P. Oliver (PU DVM ’64) and Dr. John R. Nease (PU DVM ’70). Dr. Oliver, of Water Island, U.S. Virgin Islands, died February 18. He was 82. Dr. Nease, of Ocala, Florida, passed away March 9. He was 75.
Dr. Larry Oliver
A native of Indianapolis, Indiana, Dr. Oliver earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Purdue University in 1964 and then served in the United States Army in Vietnam from 1964-1967. After his military service, Dr. Oliver practiced in Southern Indiana until 1994, when he moved to the Virgin Islands, initially living in St. Thomas and later settling in Water Island. There he joined a tight knit community, enjoyed spending time on the beach and visiting with friends, and was known as a great storyteller and friend to all he met, with his longtime canine companion, Susie, at his side. He also enjoyed reading, watching ball games, and building and repairing things.
A celebration of Dr. Oliver’s life is scheduled for April 9 at Walt’s Pub and Grill in West Lafayette, Indiana from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Nanna Baby Home in St. Thomas, the Humane Society of St. Thomas, or Water Island Search and Rescue. Funeral arrangements were under the care of the Dan Hurley Home for Funerals and Cremation Center of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. Memories may be shared at www.hurleydavisfuneralhome.com.
Dr. Nease was born in Indianapolis and attended Scecina Memorial High School. After graduation, he enrolled in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine and earned his DVM degree in 1970. He went on to practice veterinary medicine in Indianapolis and New Palestine, Indiana, from 1970-1978. The family then moved to Ocala, Florida where Dr. Nease worked as an owner/practitioner at the Ocala Veterinary Hospital until 1990. At that time, he began his second career as a teacher. Dr. Nease taught science and social studies at Grace Episcopal School and started the Science Department at Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala in 2000. He also taught anatomy and physiology at Trinity Catholic for many years and coached basketball at Grace, as well as Little League baseball.
Dr. Nease loved teaching and enjoyed golfing and fishing. He also played the guitar and acted in several plays at the Ocala Civic Theatre. He was a long-time member of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in Ocala, where his memorial mass was held Saturday, March 19. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, or an animal shelter, the Ocala Civic Theatre,or Blessed Trinity Uganda.
After being cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s annual Open House returns next month, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 9 at Lynn Hall. PVM students organize and host the family-friendly event, which will include a variety of activities, including tours, demonstrations, interactive displays, and learning opportunities. Held each year in conjunction with Purdue’s Spring Fest, the theme for the event is “Inspiring the Next Giant Leap in Veterinary Medicine.”
The college’s Open House provides an opportunity for community engagement and to educate the public about the different aspects of veterinary medicine. Additionally, this year’s Open House will give the public a chance to tour the new David and Bonnie Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex, including the expansive addition to the Small Animal Hospital, and the new Equine and Farm Animal Hospitals.
Some of the activities planned for the Open House include the popular Walk Through the Systems exhibit and Teddy Bear Surgery for stuffed animals needing a little TLC. Visitors also can participate in a series of creative games designed to help educate about bacteria, viruses, parasites, drugs, and more. At the Veterinary Nursing station, guests will learn about the field of veterinary nursing as well as animal care. Open House guests also will be able to visit the ever popular Petting Zoo with a variety of farm animals and plenty of photo opportunities.
Spring is upon us, which means it’s time for the return of a beloved and time-honored tradition of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine — the annual White Coat Ceremony.
Clint Peacock, of the DVM Class of 2022, wears his new white coat as he accepts his stethoscope from Dean Reed at the 2021 White Coat Ceremony.
The White Coat Ceremony is a significant milestone in the lives of our third-year DVM students, and we need the help of members of the veterinary medical profession in making it a special and memorable occasion for the 84 students transitioning from the classroom to clinical rotations.
As you know, the white coat is a symbol of commitment to veterinary medicine and the start of gaining real-world experience. With your support, our students will feel confident and reassured as they take the next giant leap in their pursuit of a DVM career.
Sponsor a Student
Please consider sponsoring a student at this year’s ceremony and help invest in their future as a veterinarian. Your gift of $100 provides one hard-working student with his/her own white coat and personalized embroidery. Along with your gift is the opportunity for you to connect personally with a student by including a note of reflection from your own professional journey as well as words of encouragement. We will place the note in the pocket of their coat to acknowledge their success, enhance their sense of accomplishment, and give them the confidence to keep going.
This year, our ceremony in April is back to being fully in-person, and our students deserve to be celebrated to the fullest! We are looking for 84 sponsors so every student can receive a white coat and personal note of support. You’ve been here before, and we hope you will participate today by sponsoring the next generation of veterinary professionals. Click here to give today.
African swine fever, a highly contagious swine disease, is in the Dominican Republic. The disease does not infect people, but it can wipe out pork production in a region. Quick identification and containment are key to stopping its spread, and a team of Purdue University researchers that includes a scholar in the College of Veterinary Medicine, is developing a rapid, pen-side test for the disease.
Dr. Mohit Verma in his lab. Dr. Verma is leading a $1M project involving a team of Purdue researchers, including Dr. Darryl Ragland, associate professor of food animal production medicine, to develop a rapid test for African swine fever. (Purdue University photo/Tom Campbell)
The National Animal Health Laboratory Network and the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program has provided $1 million to Dr. Mohit Verma, assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering at Purdue University, for the project. “A rapid test that can be done in the field is needed for surveillance and diagnosis of African swine fever,” he said. “When it hit China a few years ago, it wiped out 50% of the country’s pig population. It is a devastating disease, and hours, even minutes, matter in containing it.”
The research funding was included in the U.S. Farm Bill to build up the nation’s ability to quickly detect and respond to high-consequence diseases. “This was the first time to my knowledge that a joint operation between these two organizations was included in the farm bill,” Dr. Verma said. “It shows how seriously the U.S. is taking the risk from African swine fever.”
An example of what the African swine fever test may look like. Shown is the test for COVID-19 developed by Dr. Mohit Verma, assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering at Purdue University. PortaScience Inc. packaged and developed the color scale, and Cortex Design built the cartridge shown. (Purdue University photo/courtesy of Dr. Mohit Verma)
Dr. Verma is collaborating with fellow Purdue scientists including Dr. Darryl Ragland, associate professor of food animal production medicine in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, and Dr. Jonathan Alex Pasternak, an assistant professor of animal sciences in the College of Agriculture, to create a portable paper-strip test for the disease. The project follows in the footsteps of Dr. Verma’s success developing similar tests for COVID-19 and Bovine Respiratory Disease.
“We’re working on a test that will detect the virus within 30 minutes and indicate results through an easy-to-see color change on a paper strip,” Dr. Verma said. “The ease of use, test timing, and size are similar to those of an at-home pregnancy test or COVID-19 test.”
A saliva or blood sample will be used for the test. Within a cartridge, the sample is mixed with primers and reagents developed by the team and gently heated. The included paper strip then changes colors if African swine fever DNA is present, Dr. Varma said. “We want the test to be easy for farmers and veterinarians, and for the pigs,” he explained. “Our hope is to create something affordable and accessible that could be broadly used in the U.S. and throughout the world.”
The technology tests for DNA from the virus and uses a method of nucleic acid amplification called loop-mediated isothermal amplification, or LAMP. When the viral DNA is present, LAMP amplifies it. As the level of nucleic acid increases, it changes the pH of the assay, which triggers the color change on the paper strip.
According to Dr. Verma, the advantage of LAMP over other methods is that it does not require extraction and processing of the samples, which can be lengthy and expensive.
Writer(s):
Elizabeth Gardner, Purdue Agricultural Communications
| pvmnews@purdue.edu
Senior Purdue DVM student Floyd Williams, Jr. took giant leaps towards his career goals this past year by studying abroad in Budapest, Hungary, where he participated in an externship at the Budapest Zoo that would change his life. His travel also marked a milestone for the college as the first international externship experience for a Purdue veterinary student since the pandemic shut down study abroad opportunities in 2020.
Floyd’s study abroad journey actually began in 2019, when he spent four weeks in Central Europe working with veterinarians and biologists in zoological conservation and exotic pet medicine through a faculty-led course by Dr. Steve Thompson, Purdue clinical associate professor of small animal primary care. While studying at the Budapest Zoo, Floyd was able to attend the annual Zoo4Nat Wildlife Conservation Conference, where attendees were informed of current projects and efforts in wildlife medicine today. After spending just one week at the zoo with Dr. Endre Sos, lead veterinarian, and witnessing his dedication to wildlife, along with his amazing team of veterinary technicians, zookeepers, and staff, Floyd couldn’t help but ask for an externship. In response, Dr. Sos invited him back for an unlimited stay.
Floyd was born in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and raised in San Antonio, Texas. He enjoys hiking, fishing, reading, meditating, FaceTiming his family, and recently, scuba diving. While in high school, Floyd chose a criminal justice academic track with the intent of becoming an advocate for abused and neglected animals. But then he transferred to Judson High School in Converse, Texas, and not long after, opted to switch tracks to pursue veterinary/animal science and joined the local FFA chapter. His decision was influenced by his high school advisor, who suggested that he take the veterinary medicine science course offered his sophomore year. He enjoyed it so much he decided to pursue his Veterinary Assistant Certification (CVA). To gain a CVA, one must obtain 500 hours of in-hospital experience, completing about 100 skills under the supervision of a DVM or LVT before qualifying for the state exam. On the way to earning his CVA, Floyd found fulfillment in advocating for his patients’ health and care and realized that veterinary medicine is his calling.
The opportunity to advocate for animals’ health and help them fight disease proved to be a powerful draw to the veterinary medical profession. Floyd attended Prairie View A&M University and graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture, with a concentration in animal and food sciences. However, he has not forgotten about his initial dreams of advocating for abused and neglected animals. “I haven’t completely abandoned my goals of gaining a seat in the courtroom,” said Floyd. “Veterinarians can literally do anything, so stay tuned!”
When deciding where to attend veterinary school, Floyd’s initial instinct was to enroll at another HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), similar to Prairie View A&M University. But after Purdue invited him to West Lafayette as an Access to Animal Related Careers scholar (A2RC – the forerunner to Purdue’s current Vet Up! College program), Floyd immediately felt welcomed by the warm atmosphere at PVM and knew Purdue is where he belonged. “It was a blessing to receive admittance into this program and I wouldn’t change it for the world,” says Floyd. “There has been so much professional and personal growth from my time studying at this incredible institution.” Floyd is consistently moved and inspired by the diversity amongst the professors and staff at PVM, and notes it makes the college even more welcoming. He is especially touched by the opportunity he has had to get to know Dean Willie Reed. “Dean Reed’s story and current accomplishments in this profession are incredibly powerful and motivating,” says Floyd. “The fact that he knows me on a first name basis and will stop me in the halls to discuss my morning is everything I’ve needed to continue tackling this incredibly challenging career path.”
In terms of future career goals, Floyd’s are bright and ambitious. Most recently, he officially accepted a position as a one-year small animal rotating intern at IndyVet Emergency and Specialty Hospital in Indianapolis – a position which will eventually help him as he seeks to obtain a residency in emergency and critical care and pursue board certification by the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC). His goal in becoming a criticalist is to develop into a steady contributor in emergency exotic and zoological triage and stabilization. “Currently it is difficult to find updated or existing literature on emergency stabilization efforts in our zoologic species,” says Floyd. “I want to help translate more of our rapidly growing small animal practices to our exotic species that represent a significantly underserved patient population.” Floyd is passionate about spreading awareness and creating more readily available resources that will provide translational techniques to begin comfortable stabilization measures in not only exotic species, “… but also the beautiful wildlife species that naturally inhabit our planet.”
That’s why it was so meaningful to Floyd when he recently had the opportunity to work directly with the exotic species he loves across the ocean. Asked about his experiences while studying abroad, Floyd said he has too many favorites to count. “Honestly, waking up daily to go to the zoo was my absolute favorite part,” Floyd recalled. “That’s every kid’s dream… well at least mine.” But, Floyd admits, the day he was able to prove his talent in emergency triage and stabilization “takes the cake.” As he recounts the story of that day, Floyd recalls how the team at the Budapest Zoo was focusing on male Gundis, a rodent species native to Africa, when the technician rushed in with a surgical patient who wasn’t recovering as properly as the rest and had become cyanotic. Cyanosis is a bluish discoloration of the skin resulting from poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood. Floyd requested permission to break sterility and assess the patient, which Dr. Sos approved as long as Floyd reported the patient status in real time. “This was one of those moments veterinarians fear the most during high volume procedures,” Floyd said as he reflected on the situation. After a series of orders and reports, within one to two minutes, the patient’s color and heartrate had returned to normal. In another five to ten minutes, the patient was ventilating on his own and lifting his head. “That was no doubt my favorite and most motivating experience in Budapest,” Floyd said.
Floyd strongly encourages other students to study abroad while they can in order to gain invaluable academic and life experiences. Not only does it expose students to new cultures, but it enhances communication skills, both verbal and nonverbal, as they learn to communicate with those of a different language. “Being able to connect with colleagues in this profession with similar missions for our wildlife species really showed me how much we have in common,” Floyd remarked. “Studying abroad truly allows students to make an impact on the world.”
Floyd concludes with words of gratitude to those who helped him on his journey to Budapest. “I really want to thank Addison Sheldon, PVM director of global engagement, for his guidance and support, and for constantly checking on me before and during my time abroad. Traveling during a pandemic has its unique stressors, but not once did I feel like I didn’t have anyone to answer my questions or help me handle difficult logistics. Addison and Chelsi do an incredible job with our international programs during these unprecedented times, and I can’t thank them enough for their support.” Chelsi McAnelly is the global engagement program administrator.
As Purdue Veterinary Medicine welcomes Floyd back home, we can’t wait to see where his next giant leaps take him!
Dean Willie Reed with several members of Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s most recent graduating class, the DVM Class of 2021: (left – right) Drs. Madeleine Bryan, Cassidy Maugeri, Gayatri Schulz, Kiersten Record, and Tetyana Sofiychuk.(Pictured on right) Dr. Debbie White (PU DVM ’94), president-elect of the Viticus Group Board of Directors, with fellow Purdue veterinary alumni (left-right) Drs. Pamela Jo Erskine (PU DVM 2010), Mark Hilton (PU DVM ’83), Adam Miller (PU DVM 2007), and Miguel Ortiz (PU DVM 2009).
Almost 40 Purdue Veterinary Medicine alumni and friends turned-out for the annual Purdue Alumni Reception at the Western Veterinary Conference (WVC), powered by Viticus Group, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Attendees renewed acquaintances, visited with PVM faculty who were in attendance, and heard an update on the college from Dean Willie Reed. In some cases, members of a given class would realize they had enough classmates present for a mini reunion.
The reception was held Monday, March 7 at the Mandalay Bay Conference Center, which was the site for the 2022 WVC Conference.
French Bulldog Trekked to Purdue from Texas to Receive Treatment for Aggressive Form of Cancer
Dr. Timothy Bentley checks Dakota’s vitals and reflexes during a follow-up appointment. Research from both Drs. Bentley and Deborah Knapp demonstrates how naturally occurring canine cancers act similar to cancers in humans, making canines better candidates for clinical treatment than lab animals. (Purdue University photo/Rebecca McElhoe)
Dakota, a four-year-old French bulldog from Justin, Texas, has pushed the boundaries of what it means to be humanity’s best friend, with the help of compassionate veterinary specialists at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine who are also members of the Purdue University Center for Cancer Research. Dakota had developed a glioma, a form of brain tumor that is particularly dangerous to both canines and humans. She was brought to the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital where she received treatment for her cancer while also contributing to cancer research that may benefit both humans and canines.
The Purdue University Center for Cancer Research (PCCR) is one of only seven basic research laboratories recognized by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and is the only basic science center with an affiliated veterinary college, said Dr. Timothy Ratliff, the center’s Robert Wallace Miller Director and Distinguished Professor of Comparative Pathobiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine. The PCCR connects more than 130 researchers from across the University to collaborate on advancing all areas of cancer research. The distinctive partnership with veterinary scientists, including veterinarians Timothy Bentley and Deborah Knapp, makes Dakota’s treatment possible and positions PCCR to make the most of its findings.
Canine patients in clinical trials at Purdue’s College of Veterinary Medicine (PVM), including Dakota, are contributing to a situation that helps pets, their owners, and cancer patients of both species. “We call it a win-win,” said Dr. Bentley, associate professor of neurology and neurosurgery in the college’s Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, who is overseeing the trial. “The clinical trials we’re able to conduct mean that dogs receive treatments for their diseases that would normally be cost-prohibitive for their owners, and meanwhile, we’re developing new treatments for both adult and pediatric patients around the world.” For this particular study, Dr. Bentley has teamed with Dr. Renee Chambers, a clinician scientist and neurosurgeon from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, who received funding from the NCI’s PRECINCT program for the work.
Dakota and her owners, Kaitlin and Erik Murphy, made multiple trips from Texas to participate in the study, which includes the initial surgery and routine follow-ups. As a dose-escalation study, the trial aims to gauge how well and at what dosages a conditionally approved immunotherapy is useful against gliomas. Glioblastoma, the most common glioma in humans, is almost invariably fatal — 95% of patients die within five years, according to the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States.
Dakota Murphy, a French bulldog who traveled from Justin, Texas, to participate in a clinical trial at Purdue studying the effectiveness of an immunotherapy treatment for brain tumors, is held by Dr. Bentley, associate professor of neurology and neurosurgery in the College of Veterinary Medicine, during a two-week checkup. (Purdue University photo/Rebecca McElhoe)
“Gliomas are likely to be the top pediatric cancerous killer. It’s not as common as other cancers, but developing effective treatments has been extremely slow going and frustrating,” Dr. Bentley said. Unlike traditional radiation or chemotherapy, which attack both cancerous and healthy cells, immunotherapies use a drug to mobilize the body’s immune system into attacking only unhealthy cells. After surgically removing the glioma, Dr. Bentley injects a virus that has been genetically modified so that it is capable of targeting and infecting only cancerous cells.
“Surgery alone is never, ever going to be a cure for glioma, because even though we remove everything visible, the disease persists on the microscopic, cellular level,” Dr. Bentley said. “That’s where the virus works. We remove the formed tumor, and the virus attacks the cells that will continue trying to rebuild.”
Because studying the efficacy of immunotherapies relies on an otherwise functioning immune system, the immunotherapies can be studied effectively only in natural settings. “We need a real patient with a real cancer and real immune system in order to see if it works. This is exactly where pets come in,” Dr. Bentley explained.
Canine Patients Expand Scope of Cancer Data
For the past ten years, Dr. Bentley, alongside Dr. Knapp, Distinguished Professor of Comparative Oncology and the Dolores L. McCall Professor of Comparative Oncology, has been mapping the molecular and cellular similarities between some forms of canine and human cancers. Their research shows the benefit of funding canine cancer research for both canines and humans, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is in agreement. Though the FDA has approved the virus used on Dakota as an investigational agent, meaning it can be used in clinical trials, the treatment cannot move forward without testing in naturally occurring canine cancers.
“The FDA said they needed to see the dose escalation in pet dogs with naturally occurring cancers – not in a lab animal,” Dr. Bentley said. “This is exciting for me and Dr. Knapp because we’ve been shouting from the rooftops for years that our patients are the model the field has been looking for. Cancer in dogs has been proven to be more realistic and more predictive than lab animals.”
Dr. Knapp, who focuses on a devastating form of bladder cancer, has advanced a number of drug delivery treatments, including a project with other PCCR scientists using a modified strand of an Anthrax toxin. While her previous work has shown how similar these cancers are on the cellular level, Dr. Knapp has recently partnered with a colleague, Dr. Deepika Dhawan, a research scientist in the Purdue Comparative Oncology Program (PCOP), to show how human cancer research can also benefit from canine study at the molecular level. New information becomes visible at the molecular level, including the cancer’s subtype, which can help predict how aggressive, how fast, and how far a cancer is likely to metastasize or spread, Dr. Knapp said.
“Subtype identification is emerging as one approach to begin to customize a patient’s care, which can improve quality of life and quality of treatment. No one wants to just guess how aggressive we need to be, so this has the potential to allow us to personalize care in the future,” Dr. Knapp explained.
Dr. Deborah Knapp, the Dolores L. McCall Professor of Comparative Oncology, performs an ultrasound on a dog. The Purdue University Center for Cancer Research is the nation’s only National Cancer Institute Basic Laboratory Cancer Center affiliated with a college of veterinary medicine. (Purdue University photo/John Underwood)
Studying canine tissue samples and observing patients in research and clinical settings innovates the trajectory of cancer research for both canines and humans by increasing the amount of available data.
In addition to her faculty position as a distinguished professor, Dr. Knapp also serves as director of PCOP and chairs a steering committee for the NCI’s Integrated Canine Data Commons focused on facilitating the link between veterinary and cancer research. She also plays a leading role in the college’s residency training, citing the importance of training the next generation of doctors and researchers.
“As a center of excellence in Purdue’s College of Veterinary Medicine, the oncology program is making immense progress in four areas of research that seek to improve the outlook for people and animals facing cancer: targeted drugs, immunotherapy, early detection and intervention, and individualized care,” Dr. Knapp said.
That the Murphys committed to traveling from Texas is evidence of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s reputation as a center of excellence in comparative oncology research. Because of innovations by PVM and PCCR scientists, like Drs. Bentley and Knapp, and their rich collaborations with scientists like Dr. Chambers, new therapies are being developed and dogs like Dakota are receiving more quality time with their families. The dosage study has reached the maximum amount without any related side effects, and is, by all accounts, a success, Dr. Bentley said.
“We cannot say enough good things about Dr. Bentley and Purdue,” Kaitlin Murphy said. Unfortunately, Dakota recently died of complications from pneumonia, unrelated to the cancer or procedure. “The extra months he gave us with Dakota are priceless. We are so lucky to have found him and this study and are so very thankful for the extra time and memories we had with Dakota.”
A faculty member in Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology, is one of six Purdue alumnae from five Purdue colleges selected as 2022 Distinguished Women Scholars for their exceptional leadership and significant contributions to their fields. Dr. Sulma Mohammed, professor of cancer biology, earned her PhD in microbiology from Purdue’s Department of Biological Sciences in 1991. Her areas of interest include breast and cervical cancer biology with a focus in cancer prevention, biomarkers, and global disparities in these diseases.
A committee of three faculty members reviewed and scored the Distinguished Women Scholars nomination packets, and decisions were made based on nominees’ scholarly excellence and accomplishments. “The Distinguished Women Scholars award is intended to recognize the doctoral alumnae of Purdue who have made significant scholarly contributions,” writes Dr. Mangala Subramaniam, professor of sociology and chair and director of Purdue’s Susan Bulkeley Butler Center for Leadership Excellence. “In recognizing these women, an example is made, and a standard set for the aspiring women scholars at Purdue today.”
The Office of the Provost and the Susan Bulkeley Butler Center for Leadership Excellence will honor the six alumnae during an award reception March 29 at the Purdue Memorial Union. Awards will be presented by Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Diversity Jay Akridge. The reception is open to all, however, registration is required. For a complete list of this year’s Distinguished Women Scholars, click here to see the article published this week in Purdue Today.
