PVM Research Day to Honor 60th Anniversary of the Omicron Chapter of Phi Zeta

graduate student discusses research on his displayed poster with faculty member
Department of Comparative Pathobiology then-graduate student Brian Kim discusses his research project with Dr. Stephanie Thomovsky, clinical associate professor of veterinary neurology, during the 2019 PVM Research Day poster session.

The 2022 PVM Research Day on Tuesday, April 12, coincides with the 60th Anniversary of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Omicron Chapter of Phi Zeta, and will feature a special presentation by an epidemiologist working at the intersection of traditional epidemiology and technology.  Dr. Sumiko Mekaru, director of public health and clinical design at The Public Health Company will give the keynote presentation on the topic, “Data Science Needs Veterinarians! (They Just Don’t Know it Yet).”

The annual PVM Research Day highlights research in the College of Veterinary Medicine that enhances the well-being of animals and people. This year marks the first time since 2019 that the program is being held in-person. Due to the pandemic, the PVM Research Day had to be cancelled in 2020 and last year it was conducted in an online format. The day’s agenda includes presentations of research findings by faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and students. The event also features a presentation by the recipient of the 2021 Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence, Dr. Maggie O’Haire, associate professor of human-animal interaction in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology, who will speak on the topic, “The Science Behind the Human-Animal Bond.” The Research Day also will include the presentation of several awards for meritorious research accomplishments.

The Society of Phi Zeta is the honor society of veterinary medicine.  Purdue’s Omicron Chapter was established in 1962 and participates in the overall mission of the Phi Zeta Society by recognizing and promoting high level scholarship and research. The chapter president this year is Dr. Malathi Raghavan, clinical associate professor and director of outcomes assessment and data management in the Department of Veterinary Administration. The vice president is Dr. Rebecca Wilkes, associate professor of molecular diagnostics in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology and head of the Molecular and Virology Sections in the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. Dr. Melissa Lewis, assistant professor of neurology in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, holds the office of secretary. The treasurer is Dr. Andrea Santos, assistant professor of veterinary clinical pathology in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology. Dr. Janice Kritchevsky, professor of large animal internal medicine in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, is the immediate past-president.

The PVM Research Day will begin in Lynn 1136 at 8:15 a.m. with introductory remarks by Dean Willie Reed, who will be followed by the keynote presentation and then the induction of new members of Phi Zeta. The program will continue at 9:45 a.m. with a series of oral presentations given in parallel panel sessions. Then at 11:35 a.m., a research poster session will be held in Lynn G119/155 until 1:00 p.m., when the afternoon session of research presentations will begin in Lynn 1136. The presentations will conclude with the talk by Dr. O’Haire at 3:00 p.m., and then a special presentation commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Omicron Chapter of Phi Zeta by Dr. Deborah Knapp, Distinguished Professor of Comparative Oncology, that begins at 3:30 p.m. Dr. Knapp will speak about “Combining Clinical and Basic Science to Grow a Research Program in a Clinical Setting.” The day will wrap-up at 4:00 p.m. with award presentations, including the presentation of a special Summer Research Mentor Award, and closing remarks.

Click here for more information and to view a complete schedule of events.

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

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