Three PVM Faculty Receive 2025 Purdue AgSEED Grants

Known by the acronym AgSEED, the Agricultural Science and Extension for Economic Development program is an internal competitive grants system of the Purdue University College of Agriculture that focuses on advancing Indiana’s leadership in plant and animal agriculture and rural growth, especially through entrepreneurial initiatives. This year, three Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty members are among 17 recipients of 2025 AgSEED grants. The program supports one year grants at $50,000.

Congratulations to the following project leaders in the College of Veterinary Medicine and their collaborators for their success in obtaining 2025 AgSEED grants:

François-René Bertin, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVIM (Large Animal), associate professor of large animal internal medicine in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, for a project entitled, “Urinary Cortisol as a Diagnostic Tool for Pituitary Pars Intermedia in Horses.”
Harm HogenEsch, DVM, PhD, DACVP, Distinguished Professor of Immunopathology in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology, for a project entitled, “Development of a novel immunocontraceptive vaccine to reduce damage caused by wild pigs.”
Viju Vijayan Pillai, BVSc, MS, PhD, DACVP, assistant professor of anatomic pathology in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology, for a project entitled, “Development of a rapid, on-site diagnostic test for detection of Mycoplasmosis in bison.”

AgSEED grants are funded with money awarded to Purdue Agriculture by the Indiana Legislature through the Crossroads program, which is part of Indiana’s commitment to furthering agriculture and rural development. Faculty and staff in the colleges of Agriculture, Health and Human Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine are eligible to apply for the AgSEED grants to fund basic research or applied research/extension. The awards are intended to serve as seed money to help researchers establish and build upon firm research foundations.

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

Recent Stories

Purdue Veterinary Medicine Welcomes New Clinical Residents and Specialty Intern

A new class of clinical residents arrived this summer at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine to begin their specialty training. On July 16, 2026, the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences (VCS) held a welcome breakfast to introduce the new VCS residents to faculty and staff. The breakfast provided the opportunity for the new residents and a new specialty intern in neurology to meet current VCS residents, as well as the faculty and staff they will be working closely with during their time at Purdue.

American Board of Veterinary Toxicology Honors Purdue Professor and ADDL Senior Veterinary Toxicologist Steve Hooser

Dr. Steve Hooser, DVM, PhD, DABVT, professor of veterinary toxicology at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine and senior veterinary toxicologist for the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL), has received the American Board of Veterinary Toxicology's (ABVT) 2026 Service Award. Given in recognition of a career that has shaped the field of veterinary toxicology for more than four decades, the award was announced July 13 at the ABVT Annual Business meeting held in Anaheim, California, in conjunction with the AVMA Convention 2026.

New Class of Veterinary Hospital Interns and Pharmacy Resident Welcomed to PVM

A total of 13 new interns and a new veterinary pharmacy resident began their advanced training in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital this summer. The group of interns includes nine veterinarians who are completing a small animal rotating internship and four who are doing a large animal rotating internship. In addition, a pharmacy school graduate began the one year Wasson Veterinary Pharmacy Residency program, which is jointly offered by the Purdue Colleges of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy.

“Paws Up” for Lilia Beal-Preston and Mikey Galvin – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week, we’re proud to recognize DVM students Lilia Beal-Preston and Mikey Galvin, who received a Paws Up recognition from a client after caring for the client's dog at the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital.

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

Today we are congratulating Jennifer Danaher, who is a department secretary for Veterinary Clinical Sciences, for being recognized as a helpful colleague in our college.

Boo the Miracle Dog: A Story of Bravery, Breakthroughs, and a Bond That Inspires

Our series of articles about animals and their owners who've found help and healing at the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital continues with the story of "miracle dog" Boo Davis. At 13 years old, Boo Davis is living proof of the power of persistence, expert veterinary care, and the unshakable love between a pet and her person. Affectionately known as Lisa’s “miracle dog,” Boo’s journey is one that not only has extended her life, but also has helped shape the future of cancer treatment for other pets, too.

Placating Pets to Help them COPE this Fourth of July

Despite the excellent tips experts provide each year for pet safety and welfare on the 4th of July, many pet families still run into trouble and lose their pets. What are we missing and how can we even better protect our animal companions? That question is answered in an article by Dr. Candace Croney, director of the Center for Animal Welfare Science.