New Faculty Member Joins Comparative Pathobiology Department and Reed ADDL

The College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology recently welcomed Dr. Rachel Soltys as clinical assistant professor of diagnostic microbiology. Dr. Soltys, who started January 20, also serves as section head of Bacteriology in the Willie M. Reed Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL).

Dr. Soltys grew up in Southern Ohio and earned her DVM degree at The Ohio State University (OSU) before accepting the role of Infection Control Fellow for OSU’s Veterinary Medical Center where she helped develop a veterinary-specific antimicrobial stewardship program. She then continued her education at the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, earning her PhD in Veterinary Sciences (Immunology and Infectious Disease) and completing a residency in Veterinary Clinical Microbiology.

Dr. Soltys next worked as a lecturer and consultant clinical microbiologist at the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, and later served as the microbiology section head at the Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Her areas of interest include antimicrobial resistance, responsible antimicrobial use, and zoonotic and foodborne diseases.

In her new role as head of the Reed ADDL’s Bacteriology and Mycology section, Dr. Soltys oversees daily diagnostic testing, new test development, and process improvement. She also provides consultations for clients including veterinarians, producers, and owners. Additionally, Dr. Soltys teaches DVM students and veterinary nursing students, trains residents and graduate students, and participates in collaborative research.

Outside of work, Dr. Soltys enjoys the company of her cat, Arwen, and having time for her hobbies that include reading, hiking, and baking bread.

Welcome, Dr. Soltys!

Writer(s): Nathan Dell, Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

Retreat brings together Veterinary Technology team members

Members of the Purdue Veterinary Technology Distance Learning (VTDL) Program team recently traveled to Purdue’s West Lafayette campus for an in-person retreat where they could work together and explore new opportunities for teaching, learning, and student success. The two day retreat focused on strengthening collaboration between the program's remote and on-campus teams, and represented a significant milestone for the program.

Annual Purdue Veterinary Conference draws veterinary professionals from across the country for learning and fun

The 2026 edition of the annual Purdue Veterinary Conference attracted attendees from around the U.S. for three days of educational sessions covering an array of topics. With the overall theme of “One Health: Modern Veterinary Medicine,” the conference September 23-26 on the Purdue University campus drew more than 450 veterinarians and veterinary technicians, plus faculty, staff and students. Sessions taught by a total of 65 speakers, including many Purdue Veterinary Medicine clinicians and veterinary technicians/technologists, enabled conference-goers to earn up to 23 continuing education credit hours.

Significant Gift from Jordan Smelski Foundation will fuel Purdue Veterinary Medicine research on deadly brain eating amoeba

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

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

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.