Skip to main content

Turning a Reading Day into a Research Day

The spring semester on Purdue University’s campus has felt a little different this year with Protect Purdue efforts taking center stage. The modified academic calendar included the cancellation of spring break in order to minimize mass travel to and from campus, and in its place, the university added three reading days throughout the semester to provide a break from instruction with the last reading day taking place Tuesday, April 13. Purdue Veterinary Medicine students will take advantage of the day as the College of Veterinary Medicine celebrates the 59th anniversary of the Omicron Chapter of Phi Zeta by hosting the 2021 PVM Research Day.

Taking place virtually this year, the research event continues a longstanding PVM tradition affiliated with the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Omicron Chapter of the Society of Phi Zeta, which is the honor society of veterinary medicine in the U.S. The purpose of the Research Day is to showcase scientific discovery in the college that enhances the well-being of animals and people.

Paul Plummer smiles wearing a white lab coat in a lab
Dr. Paul Plummer will present the keynote lecture at the PVM Research Day on April 13.

The day will begin with introductory remarks from Dean Willie Reed followed by a keynote lecture presented by Dr. Paul Plummer, professor and Anderson Endowed Chair of Veterinary Sciences at Iowa State University and the executive director of the National Institute of Microbial Resistance Research and Education. Additionally, Dr. Plummer is a member of the Presidential Advisory Council for Combating Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria (PAC-CARB), which is responsible for providing advice, information, and recommendations to the federal government regarding programs and policies intended to support and evaluate the implementation of U.S. government activities related to combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Dr. Plummer’s presentation will focus on “Lessons from the One Health Interface.”

Following Dr. Plummer’s lecture will be a series of 15-20 minute pre-recorded lectures on three separate tracks consisting of Animal Welfare, Microbial Tools, and Microbiomes. Each moderated track will include four sessions presented by PVM faculty, residents, interns, or graduate students and will close with a live discussion panel.

During the afternoon, Osborne Award Competition finalists will present on a variety of topics, beginning with Dr. Ana Aghili’s presentation, “The First Case Report of Pleural Sporotrichosis in a Cat in the United States.” Dr. Aghili is an Emergency and Critical Care resident in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences.

The second nominee for the Osborne Award Competition is Dr. Garrett Oetelaar, resident of Diagnostic Imaging in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. Dr. Oetelaar’s presentation is entitled, “Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features of Bromethalin Toxicosis in a Cat.”

The third nominee for the Osborne Award Competition is Dr. Beatriz Belda-Lopez, Small Animal Surgery resident in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, who will give a presentation entitled, “Massive Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor in the Absence of Clinical Signs in a Dog.”

Following the Osborne Award finalists, Associate Professor of Basic Medical Sciences Marxa Figueiredo will present as the recipient of the 2020 Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence. Dr. Figueiredo’s presentation is entitled, “Osteo-Immune Therapeutics for Metastatic Prostate Tumors and Bone.”

The program also will feature acknowledgement of sponsors, including Zoetis, and an induction ceremony for new members of Phi Zeta. The Research Day will then conclude with award presentations and closing remarks. Congratulations to the following award winners:

2021 Phi Zeta Omicron Chapter Graduate Student Research Award

“Effects of Low-Dust Forages on Racehorses’ Dust Exposure, Airway Cytology, and Plasma Omega-3 Concentrations: A Randomized Clinical Trial”

Presented by: Dr. Carla Olave, resident of large animal medicine, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences

2021 PVM Graduate Student Research Award

 “Enhanced Vaccine Efficacy Following Intradermal Immunization with a Novel Dinucleotide/Nanoparticle Combination Adjuvant”

Presented by: Juan Hernandez, graduate research assistant in CPB Immunology, Department of Comparative Pathobiology

Phi Zeta Manuscript Award – Clinical/Applied Research

“MicroRNA Biomarkers in Canine Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma”

Presented by: Dr. Nelly Elshafie, graduate student, Department of Comparative Pathobiology

Phi Zeta Manuscript Award – Basic Science

“Assessment of Physical Compatibility of Injectable Enrofloxacin with Commonly Used Intravenous Fluids and Drugs During Simulated Y-Port Administration”

Presented by: Dr. Ana Aghili, resident of emergency and critical care, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences

Writer(s): Jonathan Martz, PVM Communications Intern | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

Purdue Equine Hospital Team Comes to Aid of Horse Injured in Severe Storm in Michigan

For a horse named Sassy, Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Brunner Equine Hospital proved to be the right place at the right time to recover from a scary accident that happened during a severe storm in Michigan two weeks ago. According to Dr. Danielle Cucuzella, Purdue visiting assistant professor of large animal surgery, the Quarter Horse named Sassy was seriously hurt during near 100 mile-per-hour winds where she lived in Saint Louis, Michigan.

“Paws Up!” for 4th-year DVM students Colton and Kendall – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week, we celebrate the caring and competence of two members of the new senior class of DVM students for their noteworthy service in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital.

College of Veterinary Medicine Graduates Honored at Two Ceremonies During Purdue’s 2026 Commencement Weekend

A change in Purdue University’s traditional commencement weekend schedule resulted in two ceremonies recognizing graduates of the College of Veterinary Medicine in May.  This year, veterinary technology graduates were honored at a ceremony that was separate from the commencement program for the DVM graduates.  That’s because the university recognized all doctoral degree candidates in a single ceremony on Saturday, May 16. As a result, the veterinary technology degree recipients were honored Thursday, May 14, at one of several ceremonies for undergraduate degree candidates. Following that ceremony, the college hosted its traditional oath ceremony for the 2026 graduates of the Purdue Veterinary Technology program in the Purdue Memorial Union North Ballroom.

White Coat Ceremony Celebrates Third-year Veterinary Students’ Transition to Clinical Year

The Purdue Memorial Union ballrooms provided a classic setting for an annual event that has become a cherished tradition of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. Members of the DVM Class of 2027 gathered with family, friends, faculty and staff on the evening of April 18 for the annual White Coat Ceremony that signals the transition of the third year veterinary students from the classroom to the clinics.

Popular Purdue Veterinary Medicine Bone Marrow Workshop Goes on the Road to Mexico

An annual program hosted by two bone marrow experts with Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine ties, once again attracted strong attendance but in a new international location. This year, Drs. Joanne B. Messick and Rose E. Raskin were invited to Mexico City to present the Annual Bone Marrow Workshop at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).

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

Today we share appreciation for Dr. Madeleine Swindell, who is a Purdue Veterinary Hospital Small Animal Rotating Intern.

Awards Ceremony Honors Outstanding Purdue Veterinary Medicine Staff

Applause and periodic shouts of “Bravo” punctuated the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s annual spring Outstanding Staff and Bravo Awards Ceremony. The program held in Lynn Hall on May 13 honored some two dozen staff members for meritorious accomplishments.