PVM Faculty Member Involved in New Purdue Partnership Focused on Big Data Approach to Cancer

A graduate student in a lab points to an x-ray film showing Dr. Ratliff
Dr. Timothy Ratliff, left, director of the Purdue University Center for Cancer Research and PVM distinguished professor of comparative pathobiology, works with a graduate student in the Hansen Life Sciences Lab on campus. (Purdue University photo)

The Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, led by Dr. Timothy Ratliff, Purdue Veterinary Medicine distinguished professor of comparative pathobiology, is partnering with the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research to improve the use of biostatistics, predictive modeling, and data science in cancer research.  Dr. Ratliff, who serves as Purdue’s Robert Wallace Miller Director of the Center for Cancer Research, said the partnership will include the appointment and exchange of scientific staff, sabbatical opportunities, student training, and postdoctoral fellowships.

“The Purdue University Center for Cancer Research is honored to enter into a partnership with the Frederick National Laboratory to enhance and accelerate educational and research activities in the field of computational biology and predictive modeling,” Dr. Ratliff said. “Working with the outstanding investigators at Frederick National Laboratory will benefit our students and faculty and will enable us to have a greater impact on the field.”

Purdue and Frederick National Laboratory also will conduct cooperative research in protein crystallization in microgravity.  Dr. Ethan Dmitrovsky, director of the Frederick National Laboratory and president of Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., said the agreement brings together two leaders in cancer research.  “The Purdue University Center for Cancer Research conducts world-class basic research that has led to significant advances in the field,” he said. “This mutually beneficial partnership will allow some of the best minds in cancer research to come together to accelerate research discoveries that will ultimately benefit patients.”  

The Purdue Center for Cancer Research conducts basic research on the cellular causes and potential treatment of cancers. The center is one of only seven National Cancer Institute-designate basic research cancer centers in the nation. 

Writer(s): Steve Tally (Purdue News Service) and Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

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

Today we’re extending a huge Paws Up to Dr. Ana Aghili, clinical assistant professor of small animal emergency and critical care.

Two Purdue Veterinary Medicine Graduates Honored at WVC Annual Conference for Commitment to Food Animal Practice

At this year’s WVC Annual Conference in Las Vegas, two Purdue Veterinary Medicine alumni who graduated within the last five years received national recognition as recipients of the Dr. W. Bruce Wren Food Animal Incentive Awards (FAIA). Dr. Kayla Baird and Dr. Kallie Knott, of the Purdue DVM Classes of 2021 and 2025, respectively, were among just five total FAIA award recipients honored during the annual veterinary conference hosted by Viticus Group (formerly WVC). The event is considered one of the largest and longest-running veterinary education conferences in the U.S.

Equine Wellness Once Again Proves Popular as Topic of Annual Forum for Horse Enthusiasts

More than 150 people turned out in person and virtually for the perennially popular Equine Wellness Forum hosted by the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine recently at Lynn Hall, as the latter days of winter started to give way to thoughts of spring rides on horseback.  The all-day continuing education program for horse owners and equine industry professionals on Saturday, February 7, featured insightful presentations as well as engaging demonstrations.

New Intern Joins PVM Communications Team 

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine communications team is pleased to welcome a new intern, Caroline Keim, who started February 14. Caroline is a senior studying media and mass communications, as well as professional writing, through the Brian Lamb School of Communications in the College of Liberal Arts.

In Memory – Dr. Carole Ann Bolin (PU DVM ’82)

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community is saddened to learn that a dedicated alumna, Dr. Carole Bolin, passed away Wednesday, February 12, in Lansing, Michigan, after a long and courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer. She was 67.

PVM Alumnus Kyle Shipman Named as New State Veterinarian

It’s official – Dr. Kyle Shipman (PU DVM 2015) is the new Indiana State Veterinarian. The decision to select Dr. Shipman to fill the vacancy was made by the 11 members of the Indiana State Board of Animal Health during their regular January meeting, which was followed by formal approval from the governor.

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).

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

Today we are happy to highlight Brittany Laflen, RVT, VTS (Neurology), who is a veterinary technician in Neurology / Small Animal Surgery.

College Appoints Experienced Agricultural Leader to Strengthen Constituent Relationships

Julia Wickard, a longtime agricultural leader in Indiana, was appointed as the college’s new constituent liaison and executive director of the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association, effective Feb. 24. Wickard, of Greenfield, Indiana, previously served as the state executive director of the USDA Farm Service Agency . Her new position represents a homecoming for the Purdue alumna, who earned her BA degree in agricultural communications and political science.