Skip to main content
College of Veterinary Medicine

PVM Student Awarded AVMA/AVMF 2nd Opportunity Research Scholarship

March 9, 2018

Ashley Hopkins, of the DVM Class of 2020

Ashley Hopkins, of the DVM Class of 2020, with her research poster about innovative approaches to the treatment of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius infections.

Purdue veterinary student Ashley Hopkins, of the DVM Class of 2020, is one of only five students selected nationally by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Research to receive the AVMA/AVMF (American Veterinary Medical Foundation) 2nd Opportunity Research Scholarship for 2018. The scholarship provides support for students who have previously conducted a summer research project and are seeking to gain a second summer of research experience.

Ashley said she plans to continue assessment of a novel class of aryl isonitrile containing drugs against one of the most concerning pathogens in veterinary medicine, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. She wants to thank PVM Associate Dean for Research Harm HogenEsch and Associate Professor of Microbiology Mohamed Seleem in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology, whose contributions made her summer fellowship possible, and Associate Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine Lynn Guptill, for her mentorship. “Under her guidance, my laboratory skills have flourished and my understanding of some of the most pressing concerns related to infectious disease has grown,” said Ashley.

The meaningful work and discoveries she accomplished with Dr. Guptill underscored for her the critical role research plays in shaping medicine. Working on the discovery of novel therapies for antimicrobial resistance, an issue that may arguably be one of the most pressing of our time, has inspired her to pursue a career path in biomedical research. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a PhD in microbiology with the goal of eventually becoming board certified by the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists (ACVM).

AVMF Manager of Programs and Operations Cheri Kowal said, “The American Veterinary Medical Foundation and the American Veterinary Medical Association are pleased to reward veterinary students who are making contributions to the veterinary profession through accomplishments in research.”  Congratulations, Ashley!

Writer(s): Helen Thimlar, PVM Communications Intern | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

Indiana FFA Names PVM’s Julia Wickard as One of Five New Board Members

Executive Director of the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association and Constituent Liaison Julia Wickard is one of five newly named members of the Indiana FFA Foundation board of directors.  The appointments took effect July 1.

Alumnus and Oncology Specialist Dr. Christopher Fulkerson Appointed as Associate Dean for Purdue Veterinary Hospitals

Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Bret D. Marsh, DVM, has named Dr. Christopher Fulkerson as Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs and Chief Veterinary Officer for the Purdue Veterinary Hospitals. The appointment was announced July 1, the same day that Dr. Fulkerson’s promotion to full Clinical Professor of Veterinary Medical Oncology took effect.

“Paws Up” for the ADDL Accessioning and Molecular Teams – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week, we express our sincere gratitude to our ADDL Accessioning and Molecular Teams (and cross trained individuals).

PVM Dean Bret Marsh Shares College Update with Swine Producers and Industry Partners at Major Swine Event in Indianapolis

Swine Health was the focus of a significant event recently at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis as swine industry partners and swine producers gathered for the National Junior Summer Spectacular (NJSS) and Summer Type Conference (STC).  The event was held at the end of June in the Fall Creek Pavillion and included a Swine Health Briefing that featured swine industry and veterinary medicine leaders including Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Bret Marsh, who also had an opportunity to provide an update on the College of Veterinary Medicine.

2026 Annual Recognition Ceremony Honors VCS Residents, Graduate Students, and PVH Interns

On Monday, June 29, 2026, more than 100 faculty and staff from the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences and the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital gathered at Thomas Duncan Hall for the 2026 Resident and Intern Recognition Ceremony. This annual event provides a great opportunity to honor and celebrate the contributions of the residents, interns, and graduate students who are completing their programs this summer.

New Administrative Assistant Joins PVM Office of Student Success

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine welcomes Charity Holden as the new administrative assistant in the Office of Student Success.

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

This week we are highlighting Scott Fix who is the Lead Facilities Manager in the Department of Veterinary Administration.

Remembering Zeus: A Legacy of Loyalty and Love

We continue our series of articles about animals and their owners who’ve found help and healing at the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital by sharing the story of a beloved dog named Zeus. For Amy Fitzsimmons-Blaising, Zeus wasn’t just a dog, he was her spirit animal and best friend. A proud Giant Schnauzer bred in Bedford, Indiana, Zeus had been the heart of Amy’s home for 11 unforgettable years. Then, in October 2024, Zeus’s health challenges began, when he started coughing and showing signs that looked like seizures. After rushing him to a local veterinary urgent care facility, Amy learned he was in congestive heart failure, and she turned to the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital for help.

PVM Scholar Receives Purdue WGHI Pilot Grant Aimed at Advancing Women’s Health

Purdue University’s Women’s Global Health Institute (WGHI) has announced six pilot research grant awards aimed at solving critical problems in women’s health and quality of life, and one of recipients is Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty member Viju Vijayan Pillai. Dr. Pillai is assistant professor of anatomic pathology in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology.

The universal socket set of vaccines: Innovative technology heralds more effective, more efficient vaccines

You fight fire with fire. And Purdue Veterinary Medicine vaccine expert Suresh Mittal fights viruses with viruses. Using innovative techniques, Dr. Mittal, Distinguished Professor of Virology in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology, develops novel vaccines for viral infections including avian influenza.