Our People
CPB faculty member receives research journal publication award
October 27, 2026
Dr. Christopher Rice, assistant professor of parasitology in Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology (CPB), has been honored as the recipient of the 2026 Jack L. Beal Award for a paper published in the Journal of Natural Products. The journal, in partnership with the American Society of Pharmacognosy (ASP) and American Chemical Society (ACS), announced in September the recipients of the Beal Award and two other research awards – the Arthur E. Schwarting Award and the A. Douglas Kinghorn Award for Best Perspective or Review. The awards recognize the best papers published each year in the Journal of Natural Products.
“Paws Up” for Craig Weiderhaft – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee
October 15, 2026
This week we want to give a big “high five” to Craig Weiderhaft who is a phone communications and front desk representative at the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital.
Dogs across the Midwest find customized care at the Evan and Sue Ann Werling Comparative Oncology Research Center
October 15, 2026
Studying canine cancer — including personalizing treatments, honing protocols and exploring new drugs, all of which will shed light on human cancer care — is the focus of veterinary researchers at a specialized center at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine.
In Memory – Dr. Raymond E. Plue (PU DVM ’68)
October 15, 2026
The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Raymond E. Plue, who was a generous, fun-loving, adventuresome and larger-than-life alumnus. Dr. Plue passed away Saturday, October 10, 2026, in Columbia, Missouri. He was 81.
Annual Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog grows in participation and dollars raised
October 15, 2026
The numbers are in from the 2026 Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog and they paint a beautiful picture of a very successful event, both in terms of the number of human and canine participants and the funds raised for Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Priority 4 Paws shelter medicine program. Beautiful weather and the enthusiasm of both dogs and runners contributed to the fun and excitement of the annual 5K run/walk, which generated numerous fun photo ops and raised significant funds for a good cause.
PVM Professor Emeritus Jan Hawkins Receives Prestigious Award from ACVS
October 14, 2026
The American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) and the ACVS Foundation have announced the recipients of several prestigious awards, and one of the awardees is Purdue Veterinary Medicine Professor Emeritus Jan Hawkins, DVM, DACVS. The ACVS Board of Regents selected Dr. Hawkins as the recipient of the Al and Carolyn Schiller Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his exceptional contributions to ACVS through decades of dedicated volunteer leadership and service.
Significant Gift from Jordan Smelski Foundation will fuel Purdue Veterinary Medicine research on deadly brain eating amoeba
October 1, 2026
A researcher in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology has received a generous gift of more than $100,000 from the Jordan Smelski Foundation for Amoeba Awareness and Mr. Steve Smelski to support research of the deadly amoeba Naegleria fowleri. Christopher Rice, PhD, assistant professor of parasitology and principal investigator of the Rice Research Group, leads a research team seeking to discover and repurpose drugs against primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare but typically fatal infection caused by Naegleria fowleri.
Purdue veterinary student receives Sir John D. Spurling Scholarship awarded by AKC Humane Fund
October 1, 2026
The AKC® Humane Fund, Inc.℠ has announced the 2026 recipients of the Sir John D. Spurling Scholarship, celebrating the human-canine bond, and one of the recipients is Purdue veterinary student Tiffany Chang of the Class of 2027. Chang is one of only five students chosen for the scholarships.
Purdue Veterinary Medicine Unites with Purdue United Way Campaign
October 1, 2026
With the goal of raising $700,000 by November 4 to support local nonprofit organizations that help individuals and families in Greater Lafayette, the Purdue United Way campaign took off September 23 with an official campaign launch on the front lawn of the Purdue Memorial Union. Purdue Veterinary Medicine, along with the university’s other colleges and units, will participate with the help of PVM faculty and staff ambassadors working to make it easy for people in the college to respond, whether by giving, or by indicating that they do not wish to give. As part of the PVM drive to support the campaign, Dean Bret Marsh and his wife, Polly, are contributing a match for campaign contributions from college faculty and staff. Additionally, a drawing will be held to select winners from those who contribute.
“Paws Up” – for Dr. Yasumasa Iimori – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee
October 1, 2026
This week we commend Yasumasa Iimori, DVM, PhD, who is a resident in Emergency and Critical Care in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital.
