Browse our featured faculty and their research.
For the full VCS department directory click here. To learn more about our research specialties click here.
Drs. Nick Dervisis and Shawna Klahn (Oncology Faculty)
Research Information:
Dr. Nick Dervisis – Comparative Oncology
Dr. Nick Dervisis, originally from Greece, earned his DVM degree from Aristotle University in Thessaloniki. His passion for oncology began in his final years of vet school, sparked by clinical rotations and a family connection—a relative was an oncology nurse at a major cancer hospital. At that time, there were few veterinary oncologists in Europe, which motivated him to seek further training in the United States.
After completing his veterinary studies and serving in the Hellenic Army, he moved to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and completed a combined medical oncology residency and a Ph.D. in Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology at Michigan State University. After three years on the faculty at MSU, he joined the VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine with Shawna Klahn, where they built an innovative oncology research and clinical service program. The goal was to provide cutting-edge, compassionate cancer care for pets and use companion animal cancer as a model for human disease.
Dr. Shawna Klahn – Comparative Oncology
Born in Illinois, she Wisconsin in high school, and is a "double-Badger" (BS and DVM). She completed her rotating internship in beautiful Fort Collins, then completed an oncology residency at Michigan State in 2011. She spent the first year out of residency in a private specialty practice in SC, and the past 12 years co-creating the Oncology program at Virginia Tech with Dr. Dervisis. In 2023, she completed a 2-year mentored research program through the integrated Translational Health Research Institute of Virginia (iTHRIV) with a focus on clinical trials in pets with cancer, and concurrently, a graduate program in Regulatory Affairs. Her goal was to expedite the translation of discovery into tangible, marketable advances in the management of cancer in both humans and companion animals.
Andrew M. Hubner, DVM
CLINICAL ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, FARM ANIMAL FIELD SERVICES
Research Information:
Dr. Hubner graduated from the University of Illinois in 2005 and entered private practice. His time in private practice primarily focused on dairy medicine with some time dedicated to beef cow/calf practice. Dr. Hubner spent a total of 13 years in private practice with 8 of those years spent as a practice owner. In 2018 he returned to the University of Illinois to complete a PhD focused on the interaction between metabolism and reproduction of the lactating dairy cow. He started at Purdue in the fall of 2021 after completing his PhD and a board certification in the College of Veterinary Practitioners (dairy practice). Dr. Hubner's clinical focus will be the expansion of the Purdue ambulatory section into a greater number of Indiana dairy farms, while his research will continue to focus on improving health and reproduction in the lactating dairy cow.
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Timothy B. Lescun, BVSc, PhD
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, LARGE ANIMAL SURGERY
Research Information:
Dr. Lescun graduated from the University of Melbourne, Australia, in 1994 and completed his residency training at Purdue University in 1999. He successfully obtained an MS degree and board certification with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2000. Dr. Lescun has been on the faculty at Purdue University since 2002 and he obtained his PhD in 2015. Dr. Lescun is an experienced equine surgeon with clinical interests in orthopedics, lameness, sports medicine and general equine surgery. Dr. Lescun’s research activities focus on clinical and pre-clinical orthopedic investigations, where he uses his clinical experience in equine surgery to complement more basic discovery efforts and to improve surgical treatment methods in the horse. Dr. Lescun has performed pre-clinical investigations for orthopedic implants and technologies aimed at both human and animal health care. Dr. Lescun’s current equine research interests include the use of modeling techniques, biomechanics, advanced imaging and bone properties to assist in fracture risk prediction and prevention in racehorses. As a faculty member, Dr. Lescun enjoys teaching surgery and mentoring veterinary students, surgical residents and graduate students. Dr. Lescun is active in the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, currently serving on the Board of Trustees for the ACVS Foundation.
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Mark C. Rochat, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS
PROFESSOR, SMALL ANIMAL ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY
Research Information:
Dr. Rochat graduated from Mississippi State University in 1986 and completed a residency at the University of Missouri in 1991. After a year in a surgical referral practice and attaining board certification, he accepted a position at Oklahoma State University, rising to the rank of Professor and Section Chief. In 2015, he moved to Purdue University where he now serves a Clinical Professor of Orthopedics and Chief of Small Animal Surgery. He has authored over 140 publications and given over 300 presentations. His professional interests include trauma, external skeletal fixation, fracture management, arthroscopy, wound management, reconstructive surgery, and total hip and knee replacement.
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View our featured faculty and their research. For the full VCS department directory click here.
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