Purdue Veterinary Student Taylor Jansen Wins Student Seminar Award at AASV Meeting

March 24, 2023

The annual meeting of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) earlier this month included special recognition for second-year Purdue veterinary student Taylor Jansen. During the conference held March 4-7 at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center in the Denver suburb of Aurora, Colorado, Taylor won a Student Seminar Award for a presentation on her swine research and received a $2,500 scholarship from the AASV Foundation.

Taylor’s research presentation was on “Comparison of Tongue Tips, Serum, and Processing Fluids for PRRSV Monitoring in Neonates.” She conducted the research last summer as part of the Swine Veterinary Internship Program at Iowa State University. After being recognized at the AASV meeting, Taylor posted, “I was honored to be able to present my swine research at the 54^th annual AASV conference… On top of being able to share my passion of pigs with leaders of the swine industry, I was also lucky enough to place in the top 5 and win a great scholarship! I love my industry, and look forward to attending future AASV conferences.”

Seminar award winners and Pat pictured outside — Pictured (right-left) Purdue veterinary student Taylor Jansen, with the other AASV Foundation Student Seminar Award winners, who each received a $2,500 scholarship, and Pat Hoffmann, of Elanco Animal Health.

The AASV is the professional organization of some 1,500 swine veterinarians working in veterinary practice, industry, academia, research, and government, specializing in swine health, welfare, production, and public health. The association’s mission is to increase the knowledge of swine veterinarians; protect and promote the health and well-being of pigs; advocate science-based approaches to veterinary, industry, and public health issues; promote the development and availability of resources that enhance the effectiveness of professional activities; create opportunities that inspire personal and professional growth and interaction; and mentor students, encouraging life-long careers as swine veterinarians. The AASV Annual Meeting offers a variety of activities for student participation, providing opportunities for students to learn about swine medicine, network with each other, connect with swine faculty, and meet veterinarians and mentors. Registration to the meeting is free for student members and includes access to all educational sessions and activities, including the preconference seminars.

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

Recent Stories

“Paws Up” – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week our gratitude goes to Andrea Kellogg, who is the director of Lifelong Learning.

Purdue Veterinary Students Get Up Close View of Veterinary Care at Professional Bull Riding Event

During a weekend dedicated to championship-level competition, students from the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine gained a first-hand perspective on a unique aspect of the livestock industry with a behind-the-scenes pass to the Professional Bull Riding event held recently in Indianapolis. Ram Trucks PBR Indianapolis presented by Cooper Tires was held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse March 21-22, even as first- and second-round NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament games were held across the country the same weekend.

In Memory – Professor Emeritus of Veterinary Physiology Gerald Bottoms

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community is deeply saddened to learn that Dr. Gerald D. Bottoms, a longtime faculty member and Professor Emeritus of Veterinary Physiology, passed away on February 24, 2026. He was 95.

PVM Scholars Recognized at Purdue One Health and Well-Being Research Event

Purdue University’s recent One Health and Well-Being Research Event: A Celebration of Interdisciplinary Health Research, put the spotlight on several scholars in the College of Veterinary Medicine. The one-day event was organized by the College of Health and Human Sciences in partnership with several other colleges including Purdue Veterinary Medicine. It is estimated that more than 300 people attended the event at the Purdue Memorial Union North and South Ballrooms March 10.

In Memory – Dr. Jeffrey Hanssen (PU DVM ’71)

The College of Veterinary Medicine mourns the passing of an alumnus and longtime practitioner from Greenfield, Indiana. Dr. Jeffrey Hanssen died March 12, 2026, at Brandywine - Brickyard Healthcare Center in Greenfield. He was 71.

Beautiful Spring Lilies Pose Serious Danger to Cats

Spring weather heralds the arrival of the beautiful blooms of true lilies (Lilium sp.) and daylilies (Hemerocallis sp.). Unfortunately, many cats have been poisoned by these lovely plants. The poisoning is so severe and the possible consequences so dire (even death) that in 2021, the FDA issued this warning: “Lilies in the “true lily” and “daylily” families are very dangerous for cats. The entire lily plant is toxic: the stem, leaves, flowers, pollen, and even the water in a vase. Eating just a small amount of a leaf or flower petal, licking a few pollen grains off its fur while grooming, or drinking the water from the vase can cause your cat to develop fatal kidney failure in less than 3 days. The toxin, which only affects cats, has not been identified. Dogs that eat lilies may have minor stomach upset but they don’t develop kidney failure.”

Through study abroad opportunities, Purdue’s Veterinary Technology Distance Learning program is helping students think globally

Promoting animal health is a value that transcends cultures and unites the world. That’s why there are veterinary professionals practicing in nearly every country around the globe. But access to high-quality, affordable veterinary care is far from universal — in many nations, particularly developing nations, access to veterinarians is inconsistent, and affordability is a concern all over the world. To confidently address these issues, veterinary professionals must be able to think globally. That’s why Purdue Veterinary Medicine encourages students to study abroad, including those in the Veterinary Technology Distance Learning Program (VTDL). “Study abroad enriches our online curriculum by bringing classroom concepts to life in a global, real-world context,” said Addison Sheldon, the college’s director of global engagement. The VTDL program offers students the option to study abroad in Guatemala, Japan and Zimbabwe by partnering with local universities and organizations.

Public Invited to Learn about Veterinary Medicine at 2026 PVM Open House April 18

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine will welcome the public for its annual Spring Open House at Lynn Hall on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the event will feature a hands-on look at the world of veterinary medicine.

Annual Purdue Veterinary Technician Symposium Remains Popular in 12th Year

The enduring popularity of the annual Purdue Veterinary Technician Symposium was evident again this spring as more than 125 participants turned out for the day-long continuing education program in Lynn Hall. The 12th annual symposium on Sunday, March 8, attracted attendees from Indiana and seven other states, including Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Alabama and Ohio.

Ruby’s Road to Recovery

When Ruby first came to the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, she was just nine months old, and her injuries were more complex than when they first appeared. Ruby is a toy poodle and over a month earlier, while playing, she jumped off a couch and fractured both of her front legs. Despite several weeks of treatment with splints and casts, her legs were not healing properly. She had surgery performed on both her front legs and received a bone graft to help speed up the healing process. With meticulous surgical aftercare and a planned series of rechecks, Ruby began her journey to recovery.