Congratulations are in order for fourth-year veterinary student Kelsey D’Amico (DVM Class of 2025), who reached a rare milestone in veterinary medicine as the first author on a research paper that just recently was accepted for publication by the Journal of Dairy Science. The article is entitled, “A randomized, controlled trial examining quarter-level somatic cell count and culture-based selective dry cow therapy against blanket dry cow therapy on early-lactation production outcomes.”
Kelsey’s co-authors on the paper include Dr. Ralph Neves, assistant professor of food animal production medicine and section head for the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital Bovine Field Service; Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences (VCS) graduate student J. M. Grantz; VCS graduate student Natnicha Taechachokevivat; and Dr. Andy Hubner, clinical assistant professor of Farm Animal Field Services. Dr. Hubner said the research paper dates back to the summer of 2022, when the actual sample collection was done.
“The work was not in conjunction with any program, it was work that Kelsey participated in as a summer employee of the Bovine Field Service,” Dr. Hubner explained. “Then she decided to ‘own’ the project.” Kelsey presented the work at the last American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) national meeting and won the student presentation award. “She then asked if she could write the paper,” Dr. Hubner said. “It is extremely rare for a veterinary student to take that on during their veterinary training and publish a first-author publication.”
Dr. Hubner said understanding the scientific process is extremely important for food animal veterinarians. “Doing a large-scale research project – one with over 800 enrollments – teaches students invaluable skills that cannot be gained elsewhere in the curriculum. It teaches them how to balance published literature with clinical experience, in order to make the best herd-level decisions for their future clients.” Dr. Hubner noted that some veterinary schools abroad require research as part of their veterinary curriculum in order to teach students this concept. “While our curriculum does not require this in order to graduate, once Kelsey started the project she recognized that by seeing the project all the way through to the end, she would learn valuable lessons that could not be gained elsewhere,” Dr. Hubner said. Click here to view the online article from the Journal of Dairy Science.
Today we share appreciation for Charmaine Church, who is a member of our Small Animal Reception team in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital. A staff member nominated Charmaine, saying, “Charmaine is always pleasant, kind and provides a great listening ear to the hospital clients. She always takes extra time with the client if she feels the client is in need of extra support. Thank you, Charmaine, for providing excellent care to the clients of the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital.”
Fostering a healthy work environment involves expressing appreciation and gratitude. Is there someone at PVM you would like to acknowledge today? It’s easy to make a Paws Up submission – just follow this link. Submissions are published anonymously and may be edited for length. Any PVM staff, faculty, student, or team may be nominated by anyone in our college. For more information, visit the PVM Wellness Committee website.
The recipient of the Zoetis Diversity and Inclusion Award, Dr. Marxa Figueiredo (center) with several PVM representatives at the Iverson Bell Midwest Regional Diversity Summit in Minneapolis (left-right): Dr. Kathy Salisbury, Dr. Darryl Ragland, Adrianne Fisch, Marsha Baker, Kyle Barron and Joy Nix.
Purdue Veterinary Medicine was well represented this week at the 2024 Iverson Bell Midwest Regional Diversity Summit in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where special recognition was given to Dr. Marxa Figueiredo, Purdue associate professor of Basic Medical Sciences. Dr. Figueiredo received the Zoetis Diversity and Inclusion Award, which recognizes and honors veterinary medical faculty and/or staff, at veterinary schools and colleges in the Midwest Region, who have shown exemplary dedication to the advancement of diversity and inclusion, thereby supporting an academic environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and conducive to the success of all faculty, staff and students.
The award was presented at the Iverson Bell Midwest Regional Diversity Summit Awards Reception Wednesday, May 22. Dr. Figueiredo was nominated for the award as a faculty member who has demonstrated dedication to the advancement of diversity and inclusion at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, as evidenced by working towards creating and maintaining an inclusive environment; having a positive impact on students; and helping other faculty and/or staff to become allies to issues around diversity/inclusion.
Also attending the Iverson Bell Midwest Regional Diversity Summit from Purdue were Dr. Kathy Salisbury, associate dean for academic affairs; Dr. Darryl Ragland, professor of food animal production medicine; Marsha Baker, assistant dean for diversity, equity and inclusion; Joy Nix, administrative assistant in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences; Adrianne Fisch, program manager with the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and veterinary student Kyle Barron of the DVM Class of 2026. All of the Purdue attendees are members of the college’s Diversity Action Committee (DAC), as is another summit attendee, Ms. Pat Lowrie, Director Emerita from the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine and PVM Dean’s consultant.
Though PVM Dean Willie Reed was unable to attend the summit, he was recognized during the conference for his diversity work in the veterinary medical profession. Both he and Ms. Lowrie were pioneers in the founding of the conference. The Iverson Bell Midwest Regional Diversity Summit now involves a partnership of veterinary colleges at Iowa State University, Michigan State University, Purdue University, The Ohio State University, the University of Illinois, the University of Wisconsin, and the University of Minnesota, with vital corporate sponsorship by Zoetis. Held May 21-23, this year’s program was organized by a planning committee with representation from all of the partner schools and colleges and support from the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC). Marsha Baker participated as Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s member on the planning committee, and the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine served as the host college for the conference.
Veterinary Nursing and DVM graduates gathered together on stage for the PVM Class of 2024 photo.
Mother’s Day 2024 proved to be extra special for families of the graduates in Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Class of 2024, as the College of Veterinary Medicine hosted the annual Graduation Celebration and Oath Ceremony Sunday, May 12, in the Purdue Memorial Union. The program honored graduates earning their DVM and Veterinary Nursing degrees and included the recitation of the Veterinarian’s Oath and the Veterinary Technician Oath of Ethical Conduct.
Dean Willie Reed leads the processional through the PMU Ballrooms at the start of the PVM Graduation Celebration.
The ceremony followed the Purdue University commencement exercises that began at 9:30 a.m. in the Elliott Hall of Music. Afterward, the Purdue Veterinary Medicine graduates and their families relocated to the Purdue Memorial Union for the college’s recognition ceremony. “It is wonderful that we can be together today to recognize our Class of 2024,” Dean Willie Reed said after he stepped to the podium in the PMU North Ballroom to begin the ceremony. Noting that the graduates had to persevere in overcoming a global pandemic to complete their Purdue veterinary education, Dean Reed exclaimed, “If ever there was a time to celebrate, this is it!”
The graduates next heard from invited speakers, including Dr. Angela Demaree (PU DVM 2002), an alumna and the president of the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association; Dr. Lindsey Hedges (PU DVM 2011), also an alumna and the president of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA); and Crystal Schaeffer, BS, RVT, president of the Indiana Veterinary Technician Association (IVTA). Then, just before the recognition of the Veterinary Nursing graduates, Dean Reed invited the Veterinary Nursing Class Responder, Kayleigh Clevenger, BS, RVT, to address her classmates and the assembled guests.
Veterinary Nursing graduate Kayleigh Clevenger served as the Veterinary Nursing Class Responder.
As the program continued, Dr. Chad Brown, Purdue Veterinary Nursing Programs director, stepped to the podium to introduce each of the Veterinary Nursing graduates individually. As their names were announced, they each came forward, stepped onto the North Ballroom stage and received their veterinary nursing pin, which was presented by Holly McCalip, BS, RVT, instructional technologist in the Veterinary Nursing Program, as a symbol of their entry into the Veterinary Nursing profession. The graduates earning the Associate in Applied Science degree were recognized first, followed by those receiving their four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Nursing.
Once all of the Veterinary Nursing graduates were assembled on the stage, they paused for a group photo and then remained on stage to recite their professional oath, which was led by Jennifer Smith, RVT, RLAT, senior instructional technologist for the Veterinary Nursing program. All of the veterinary nurses present at the ceremony were invited to join in reciting the oath.
Then Dean Reed returned to the podium to address the DVM graduates. “Through your own personal commitment and hard work; your consistent and persistent effort during the pandemic to protect the health and safety of yourselves, your fellow students and our faculty and staff; as well as your willingness to work together and pursue goals beyond individual success, you have accomplished much,” Dean Reed said. “You understand your responsibilities to the profession, to your colleagues and most importantly, to the people and animals you will serve. We believe that you are indeed ready to assume your new role as veterinarians.”
Dr. Joe Chandler gave the class response for the DVM Class of 2024.
Dean Reed then invited one of the members of the DVM Class of 2024, Dr. Joe Chandler, to give the formal class response. Following Dr. Chandler’s comments, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Dr. Kathy Salisbury, announced the names of the graduates as they came forward to take their place on the risers on the stage. Additionally, graduates who received awards were recognized as they crossed the stage.
Once all of the DVM graduates were together on stage, an official group photo was taken, and then Dean Reed asked the graduates, faculty and all other veterinarians in attendance to join in reciting the Veterinarian’s Oath. Then the Veterinary Nursing graduates returned to the stage to join the DVM graduates for a photo of the entire PVM Class of 2024.
Before concluding the ceremony, Dean Reed presented two teaching awards. Jennifer Smith received the Elanco Veterinary Technology Outstanding Teaching Award for a Veterinary Nursing educator who has clearly communicated course content, facilitated skill acquisition, motivated students, shown a continued willingness to facilitate learning outside of a formal setting, counseled and mentored students, and served as a positive role model. The Weedon Faculty Recognition Award for the faculty member who has made the greatest contribution to members of the current fourth-year veterinary class during their progress toward the DVM degree, was presented to Dr. Mindy Anderson, clinical assistant professor of basic medical sciences, on the basis of her selection by members of the class.
The event concluded with a reception in the Purdue Memorial Union main lounges, where graduates and their families gathered along with faculty and staff for refreshments and celebration. The beautiful Mother’s Day weather also enabled many graduates and their classmates to gather with family and friends for additional keepsake photos outside.
Congratulations to all members of the Purdue Veterinary Medicine Class of 2024!
Photos from the event taken by photographer Ed Lausch are available to view and purchase at Lausch Photography. Look for the gallery labeled “2024 Purdue Vet Med” and use the password “2024PVM”.
Veterinary Nursing graduates recite the Veterinary Technician Oath of Ethical Conduct.
Dean Reed personally congratulated each of the graduates as they crossed the stage.
Dr. Chad Brown joined in a photo shoot with a Veterinary Nursing graduate and her family after the ceremony.
DVM graduate Diana Ardjmand and her mom shared in the special meaning of the Mother’s Day Graduation Celebration.
Even an exotic pet got in on the commencement celebration.
Lorraine Fox was recognized by Dean Willie Reed for 30 years of service to Purdue University at the PVM Staff Service Recognition Ceremony in December.
Today we share appreciation for Lorraine Fox, who is a business assistant with the PVM Procurement Center. A faculty member nominated Lorraine stating, “Lorraine is always such a pleasure to work with. Her emails are always so kind, thoughtful and positive. Sometimes the extra ‘Have a great day!’ or ‘Happy Thursday!’ makes such a huge difference in brightening someone’s day. Thank you, Lorraine!”
Fostering a healthy work environment involves expressing appreciation and gratitude. Is there someone at PVM you would like to acknowledge today? It’s easy to make a Paws Up submission. – just follow this link. Submissions are published anonymously and may be edited for length. Any PVM staff, faculty, student, or team may be nominated by anyone in our college. For more information, visit the PVM Wellness Committee website.
Dr. Marejka Shaevitz, clinical assistant professor of oncology in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
When the AVMA wanted to share insights from a former resident turned award-winning published researcher, they called on a Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty member, Dr. Marejka Shaevitz, clinical assistant professor of oncology in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. Dr. Shaevitz completed a three-year residency program in medical oncology at Purdue in 2020 and last year was selected as the Outstanding JAVMA Resident for her published manuscript, which she co-authored with Dr. Chris Fulkerson, clinical associate professor of veterinary medical oncology and Dr. George Moore, professor of epidemiology.
In the podcast, called “Veterinary Vertex,” Dr. Shaevitz is interviewed by AVMA Editor in Chief Lisa Fortier and Associate Editor Sarah Wright, and explains the affirmation she sensed as a result of receiving the award. She also stresses the importance of mentorship in the lives of young veterinary professionals and talks about how the recognition that comes with receiving such an award can impact career paths. She also shares advice about how to successfully dedicate time to completing a manuscript and how to navigate the road to publication.
The manuscript for which Dr. Shaevitz received the award is entitled, “A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded clinical trial comparing the incidence and severity of gastrointestinal adverse events in dogs with cancer treated with piroxicam alone or in combination with omeprazole or famotidine.” In addition to crediting her co-authors, Dr. Shaevitz also gave a shout out to Dr. Mike Childress, professor of comparative oncology, and Dr. Deborah Knapp, Distinguished Professor of Comparative Oncology and director of the Evan and Sue Ann Werling Comparative Oncology Research Center, as valued mentors who supported her during her residency and who she now values deeply as colleagues.
Dr. Shaevitz earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences at Stanford University followed by a Master of Science degree in clinical psychology from the University of Utah. She then earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Oregon State University and completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship at the University of Illinois before coming to Purdue for her medical oncology residency. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Oncology), Dr. Shaevitz went into private practice as a veterinary medical oncologist with MedVet in Columbus, Ohio, before returning to Purdue just recently, to join the Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty and serve as a member of the Werling Comparative Oncology Research Center.
The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) Awards and American Journal of Veterinary Research (AJVR) Awards were established in 2022 to recognize student, intern, and resident authors of manuscripts whose work was judged as exceptional by the Associate Editor Board’s Awards Committee based on potential impact and clinical relevance. The winners received a certificate of achievement as well as a cash prize. The awards are given at the annual AVMA convention, which this year will be held June 21-25 in Austin, Texas.
The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community is saddened to learn that an alumnus and supporter of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr Andrew Jeffrey Lischin, of West Atlantic City, New Jersey and Bradenton, Florida, passed away May 7, 2024. He was 68.
A native of Margate, New Jersey, Dr. Lischin was raised in a close-knit family and learned early on about hard work and always striving to do your best, with honesty and integrity. An excellent student, he graduated with highest honors from Atlantic City High School in 1974. Having discovered a love for animals at an early age, he had an unwavering desire to become a veterinarian. After attending Cook College and Rutgers University, he enrolled at Purdue University and earned his DVM degree in 1982.
Following graduation, he returned to the Atlantic City area where he successfully established and operated three veterinary clinics. Dr. Lischin is remembered as someone who loved “all creatures great and small” and worked tirelessly to ensure the well-being of all animals, providing excellent care and kindness to all pets and their owners. He maintained memberships in multiple veterinary associations and even started a very successful charitable program called “Pet Pictures with Santa.”
Dr. Lischin also was deeply committed to his family and, as a devoted cat lover, he had many feline friends keeping him company throughout his life. He also enjoyed many other interests, including running. He participated in numerous races including marathons in New York and Philadelphia. An avid sports fan, he loved all of the Philadelphia sports teams. He also was an active member of the Beth Israel Synagogue, and had a particular interest in astronomy. He considered one of his most awe-inspiring experiences witnessing a total eclipse of the sun.
After retiring, Dr. Lischin continued pursuing his passions and volunteered his time and expertise at many veterinary clinics and shelters, while also helping family and friends with their pet concerns. He was never too busy to share his knowledge and help a pet. He is remembered for his wit, intelligence, kindness, courageous spirit and passion for life.
A funeral service is scheduled Tuesday, May 14 at 10:00 a.m. at Beth Israel Synagogue, 2501 Shore Rd., Northfield, NJ. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the Atlantic County SPCA, PO Box 205, Somers Point, NJ 08244, or to the pet charity of one’s choice. Click here to view a complete obituary.
The Continuum Café team of Tammie Hill (manager) and Rebecca Watkins. (Not pictured – student worker Marin Manoj).
This week we are giving “high-fives” to the Continuum Café team of Tammie Hill (manager), Rebecca Watkins and Purdue student worker Marin Manoj, who served our PVM community with such warmth, professionalism, and excellence this past semester! Though at times other servers also helped out, Tammie, Rebecca and Marin were the ones consistently present to greet and serve customers with good food accompanied by smiles and positivity. Whether PVM faculty, staff or students were coming by for coffee, snacks, treats or a breakfast or lunch sandwich or wrap, they could count on friendly interactions and a positive experience. And thanks to the excellent work of the Café Team, the level of business that our Continuum Café experienced was sufficient for it to remain open even when other food services across campus were closed, such as during Spring Break week. The café is part of the Purdue Food Company, which is the Aramark-run food service enterprise that operates some 30 Purdue eateries on campus, and it’s the personalized service of our Café Team that makes it special to the PVM Community. Thank you Tammie, Rebecca, and Marin!
Fostering a healthy work environment involves expressing appreciation and gratitude. Is there someone at PVM you would like to acknowledge today? It’s easy to make a Paws Up submission – just follow this link. Submissions are published anonymously and may be edited for length. Any PVM staff, faculty, student, or team may be nominated by anyone in our college. For more information, visit the PVM Wellness Committee website.
Purdue VBMA president Troy Todd, of the DVM Class of 2026, hands a certificate to fellow student Julie Soda, of the DVM Class of 2025, at the VBMA Business Certificate Banquet.
A first-of-its-kind ceremony in Lynn Hall helped a cadre of veterinary students take an important step forward as they prepare for their veterinary medical careers. The Purdue Chapter of the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) held its inaugural Business Certificate Banquet during lunch on Friday, April 19 in Lynn 1136.
The Business Certificate recognizes the completion of 16 hours of educational credit received through the curriculum offered by the VBMA to develop the business knowledge of each student and help them prepare for productive careers in veterinary medicine as successful associates or business owners. The banquet program began with remarks by Dr. Ellen Lowery, associate dean for hospital operations, chief veterinary officer, and clinical professor, who serves as the Purdue VBMA faculty advisor, and spoke about the value of the instruction and training that students receive through the Business Certificate Program.
The program utilizes interactive lectures, workshops, and events outside of veterinary school curricula to provide the Business Certificate graduate with awareness and knowledge about the concepts of business and personal finance, management, emotional intelligence, marketing, and more. The Business Certificate is founded on the following four pillars:
Category 1: Business Finance
Category 2: Business Operation, Management, Ownership
Category 3: Business Leadership Skills
Category 4: Career and Personal Development
At the conclusion of the recognition program, students who completed the VBMA Business Certificate program gathered for a group photo.
A total of 37 students, representing all four DVM classes, were recognized for completing the certificate program. The names of the recipients were announced during the ceremony and those present came forward to accept their certificates, which were presented by members of the 2023-2024 Purdue VBMA Executive Board – President Troy Todd, Vice-President Brandon Bardin, Treasurer Ashley Rauda, and Secretary Kendall Sattler, who are all members of the DVM Class of 2026. The honorees also received a recognition gift from the organization, before gathering for a group photo.
Congratulations to each of the following Business Certificate Program graduates!
Class of 2024
Hanna Johnson
Allie Megl
Julia Motto
Elizabeth Schoenlein
Stephanie Verkuilen
Lisa Watson
Class of 2025
Devon Anderson
Shelby Boschma
Alicia Cleaver
Valeria Figueroa Ortiz
Zakk Franklin
Sami Hartman-Stackhouse
Frank Leitgeb
Bridget Mallin
Alexandra Meyer
Madeline Milburn
Kiara Nobbe
Madeleine Nunn
Anne Perkins
Juan Ramirez
Marissa Ramon
Carlee Roberts
Lacey Schram
Juli Soda
Sydney Taylor
Cameron Vaughn
Kaitlyn Wolfe
Class of 2026
Brandon Bardin
Andrea Gonzalez Vazquez
Sara Helming
Jacob Mishne
Alejandra Ortiz Perez
Ashley Rauda
Kendall Sattler
Aaron Seymour
Troy Todd
Class of 2027
Hallie Sorg
The Veterinary Business Management Association describes itself as a student-driven organization dedicated to advancing the profession through increasing business knowledge, creating networking opportunities, and empowering students to achieve their personal and professional goals. The Purdue VBMA Business Certificate Program banquet was sponsored by NVA (National Veterinary Associates).
Recipients of the PVM Awards for Excellence in Teaching in the DVM program (left-right): Dr. Joanne Messick (selected by the 2nd Year Class); Dr. Mindy Anderson, (selected by the 4th Year Class); and Dr. Stephanie Thomovsky (selected by the 3rd Year Class). Not pictured: Dr. Larry Adams (selected by the 1st Year Class).
The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community recognized faculty receiving awards for teaching, research, and service, as well as newly promoted faculty, during a celebration at the conclusion of the spring semester. Faculty, staff, and students gathered in Lynn 1136 to applaud the honorees during the 2024 Faculty Awards and Promotions Celebration held May 1.
“Our record of excellence as a college is possible because of our outstanding people,” PVM Dean Willie Reed said as he began the program. “With that in mind, it is appropriate that we acknowledge the accomplishments of our faculty.”
The first awards presented recognized excellence in teaching, with the honorees chosen on the basis of the results of a student ballot. Dean Reed explained that each year, veterinary students are asked to evaluate the teaching effectiveness of faculty using the following standard:
An outstanding teacher is one who demonstrates superior ability in communicating the chosen material to students and stimulates their desire to master the material. This teacher will also recognize their teaching responsibility does not stop at the classroom door, and therefore, will be ready to aid and motivate students in a counseling and advisory capacity, either formally or informally.
The results of the student ballot were used in choosing the recipients of the PVM Award for Excellence in Teaching in each year of the DVM program, as well as two all-college teaching awards – the PVM Alumni Outstanding Teacher Award, and the Zoetis Distinguished Teacher Award. Congratulations to the following teaching award recipients:
Dr. Larry Adams, professor of small animal medicine, was selected by the Class of 2027 as the recipient of the PVM Award for Excellence in Teaching First-Year DVM Students. Dr. Adams teaches renal physiology and was praised for making complex concepts easy to understand and for demonstrating their clinical application.
Dr. Joanne Messick, professor of veterinary clinical pathology, was selected by the Class of 2026 to receive the PVM Award for Excellence in Teaching Second-Year DVM Students. Dr. Messick teaches both the Hematology & Cytology course and teaches in the Applications & Integrations course as well as in the Clinical Chemistry course. Students expressed appreciation for her continual energy and enthusiasm for teaching and for always being willing to work with students who need help mastering concepts.
Dr. Stephanie Thomovsky, clinical associate professor of veterinary neurology, was chosen by the Class of 2025 as the recipient of the PVM Award for Excellence in Teaching Third-Year DVM Students. Dr. Thomovsky teaches in the Neurosciences course in the first year and in neurology in the third year. She was recognized for her engaging teaching that reflects her exuberant personality and excitement about neurology, and for the teaching aids she employs to illustrate concepts.
Dr. Mindy Anderson, clinical assistant professor of basic medical sciences, was selected by the Class of 2024 to receive the PVM Award for Excellence in Teaching Fourth-Year DVM Students. Dr. Anderson teaches the Pharmacology courses in year two. She was recognized for making pharmacology very practical, based on her years of experience as a veterinary nurse before she went back to school to earn her PharmD degree. The lasting impression Dr. Anderson has made on the Class of 2024 was reflected in the fact that they selected her as their top teacher during their second, third and fourth years!
Dean Reed next presented the Zoetis Distinguished Teacher Award. “We deeply appreciate the continuing support of our profession and College by Zoetis, and its sponsorship of this award, which is given annually to an outstanding teacher at each veterinary school in North America,” Dean Reed explained. The award recipient also is eligible to compete for the National Zoetis Distinguished Teacher Award. This year’s recipient is Dr. Stephanie Inoue, senior lecturer in the Department of Veterinary Administration. Dr. Inoue serves as the instructor of record for the second year Veterinary Skills & Competencies (VSAC) courses as well as the second semester Applications & Integrations (A&I) course. She also has a special interest in developing the students’ communication skills.
Dr. Marxa Figueiredo received the PVM Alumni Outstanding Teaching Award
Dean Reed then presented the PVM Alumni Outstanding Teaching Award to Dr. Marxa Figueiredo, associate professor of basic medical sciences. Dr. Figueiredo teaches histology to the first-year DVM students and seeks to make histology more accessible to the students by aligning it with physiology. She also was recognized for promoting independent and critical thinking and encouraging group discussion. Additionally, students praised her patience and kindness.
As the program continued, several additional awards for outstanding faculty accomplishments were presented.
Dr. Sriveny Dangoudoubiyam was nominated by peers to receive the Excellence in Teaching Award sponsored by the College of Veterinary Medicine.
The Excellence in Teaching Award, sponsored by the College of Veterinary Medicine, was given to Dr. Sriveny Dangoudoubiyam, assistant professor of veterinary parasitology, on the basis of nominations made by peers. The award consists of a plaque, and a cash award, as well as an additional $3,000 in funds to support scholarly teaching activities. Dr. Dangoudoubiyam teaches parasitology to the second-year DVM students and has revised the parasitology course to include clear learning objectives and well-organized teaching materials. She also was praised for aligning her exams with her learning objectives and emphasizing the clinical relevance of the material.
The Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence, which recognizes faculty members for their roles in generating new knowledge through basic and clinical research, was presented to Dr. Uma Aryal, research associate professor in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology. Dr. Aryal serves as the director of the Purdue Proteomics Facility and in that role, supports and advances multiple research projects on the Purdue campus. He has developed novel methods to investigate post-translational modifications of proteins. In his own independent research on aging processes in cells, he has identified novel mechanisms that underlie protein aggregation and denaturation.
The College of Veterinary Medicine sponsors the PVM Excellence in Research Award, which recognizes faculty members for their roles in generating new knowledge through basic and clinical research. The recipient of this year’s award is Dr. Tim Lescun, professor of large animal surgery and director of the Center for Clinical Translational Research (CCTR). Dr. Lescun is recognized as a leader in the field of equine and translational orthopedic medicine. He has pioneered a finite element analysis method to investigate the response of bone to implants such as screws in fracture repair. In his role as Director of the CCTR, Dr. Lescun oversees core facilities in the college that support preclinical biomedical research on campus.
Dr. Chris Fulkerson, clinical associate professor of veterinary medical oncology, received the PVM Excellence in Service Award.
The PVM Excellence in Service Award was established to honor Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty who have demonstrated consistent and sustained delivery of services through the college. This year’s award recipient is Dr. Chris Fulkerson, clinical associate professor of veterinary medical oncology. As the Oncology section chief in the Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Fulkerson leads the development of policies and processes that support providing exceptional service to clients, while emphasizing quality of life for residents, staff, and students. His efforts have led to strong, reciprocal relationships with referring veterinarians and community organizations such as Wolf Park. Dr. Fulkerson also has served as the chair of the curriculum committee since 2018, during a time when the DVM curriculum underwent substantial revision.
Dean Reed then concluded the celebration by recognizing each of the faculty members receiving promotions this year. As he called their names and shared about their accomplishments, the newly promoted faculty members came forward to each receive a hand-illustrated portrait, created by Professor Emeritus David Williams. Congratulations to the following faculty members who are receiving academic promotions (all promotions are effective July 1 unless otherwise noted):
To Associate Professor
Kari J. Ekenstedt, associate professor of basic medical sciences (August 12, 2024)
Sun Young Kim, associate professor of veterinary clinical sciences
Shin Ae Park, associate professor of veterinary clinical sciences
To Clinical Associate Professor
Melinda J. Anderson, clinical associate professor of basic medical sciences
To Clinical Professor
Elizabeth J. Thomovsky, clinical professor of veterinary clinical sciences
Stephanie A. Thomovsky, clinical professor of veterinary clinical sciences
Nobuko Wakamatsu-Utsuki, clinical professor of comparative pathobiology
To Full Professor
Sandra D. Taylor, professor of veterinary clinical sciences
Following the recognition ceremony, the honorees and guests reconvened in the Veterinary Medical Library for a reception.
Dean Reed helped Dr. GuangJun Zhang unveil the hand-illustrated portrait he received in honor of his promotion to professor of comparative pathobiology.
Dr. Suresh Mittal congratulates his departmental colleague, Dr. Nobuko Wakamatsu-Utsuki, on her promotion to clinical professor of comparative pathobiology.
