PVM Guest Lecture Features Leading Stem Cell Researcher from Cornell

April 13, 2018

Dr. Alexander Nikitin, a Cornell University stem cell researcher (center), with PVM Department of Comparative Pathobiology Head Sanjeev Narayanan (left) and Associate Dean for Research Harm HogenEsch, after a guest lecture given as part of the PVM Graduate Program Research Seminar Series.

“Transitional Zones and Cancer” was the title of a special guest lecture given in Lynn Hall recently by Alexander Nikitin, MD, PhD, professor of pathology at Cornell University and leading stem cell researcher, who spoke to an audience of Purdue Veterinary Medicine graduate students, faculty, and staff. The presentation was hosted by the PVM Office of Research as part of the College’s Graduate Student Research Seminar Series.

Dr. Alexander Nikitin visits with Dr. Harm HogenEsch, PVM associate dean for research, at a reception held in Dr. Nikitin’s honor in the Continuum Café as part of the PVM Graduate Program Research Seminar Series.

Dr. Nikitin leads the Cornell Stem Cell Program and is director of the Cornell Training Program in Stem Cell Research, director of the Cornell Stem Cell Pathology Unit, and co-director of the Cornell Stem Cell Modeling and Phenotyping Core. His research aims to understand how aberrations in molecular and cellular mechanisms governing tissue homeostasis may lead to cancer initiation and progression.

Dr. Nikitin’s work has offered important conceptual insights into the mechanisms by which stem cell niches contribute to cancer pathogenesis. As a part of his interests in pathology, Dr. Nikitin is developing the concept of “stem cell pathology.”

The PVM Graduate Program Research Seminar Series was initiated last year as a means of providing graduate students exposure to accomplished scholars giving high quality scientific lectures that are open to the entire college. Both PVM faculty and outside guest lecturers are invited speak. The seminar series also gives the graduate students experience in making their own scientific presentations. Dr. Nikitin’s guest lecture on March 29 in Lynn 1136 was followed by a reception in the Continuum Café.

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

Recent Stories

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.

“Paws Up” – for Dr. Yasumasa Iimori – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week we commend Yasumasa Iimori, DVM, PhD, who is a resident in Emergency and Critical Care in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital.