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Outlook<br />

the<br />

<strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Veterinary</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong><br />

<strong>Western</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong><br />

Summer 2008/Volume 10, Issue 4<br />

CVM Reaches out to Puerto Rico<br />

CVM Hosts Inaugural<br />

Avian Conference<br />

Preceptor Pr<strong>of</strong>ile<br />

Comparative Genomics Research<br />

CVM News<br />

WAVE Program<br />

♥<br />

A Work Of Heart


W o r d f r o m t h e D e a n<br />

Congratulations to the Class <strong>of</strong> 2008!<br />

MAY THE THOUGHTS, PRAYERS, AND WELL WISHES <strong>of</strong> the faculty and staff <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>Western</strong> <strong>University</strong> follow you throughout your career. We are proud<br />

<strong>of</strong> your accomplishments, and look forward with anticipation to your<br />

future contributions to our pr<strong>of</strong>ession. I would like to take this<br />

opportunity to thank Dr. Patricia Olson, Director <strong>of</strong> the Morris<br />

Animal Foundation, for her wonderful commencement message.<br />

The faculty have occupied the new Banfield <strong>Veterinary</strong> Clinical Center<br />

and are making preparations for the new academic year. We are<br />

looking forward to receiving the Class <strong>of</strong> 2012 and beginning<br />

classroom activities in the new classrooms, laboratories, and hospital<br />

spaces. A VIP dinner and Grand Opening is planned for August 8 and 9 as part <strong>of</strong> convocation<br />

activities.<br />

We have received the final report <strong>of</strong> evaluation and statement <strong>of</strong> accreditation from the<br />

American <strong>Veterinary</strong> Medical Association Council on Education. As a result <strong>of</strong> the review <strong>of</strong><br />

the <strong>College</strong>’s report, the Council voted to grant the <strong>College</strong> Limited Accreditation for a period<br />

not to exceed two years.<br />

We respect the decision <strong>of</strong> the COE and view the progression from Provisional Accreditation<br />

to Limited Accreditation as a positive development. We have begun to address the<br />

deficiencies noted in the report and plan to have most, if not all, addressed in time to report<br />

the corrections in our annual report due January 2009.<br />

We are confident in our ability to address each <strong>of</strong> the recommendations made on facilities.<br />

The Council has suggested we moderately increase our faculty and staff numbers. The<br />

<strong>College</strong>’s faculty ranks have grown by more than 25 percent over the past fiscal year, and we<br />

anticipate an additional 10 percent growth in faculty numbers by June 2009, as well as an<br />

increase in staff. The anticipated growth in faculty and staff numbers will better position the<br />

<strong>College</strong> to continue its development <strong>of</strong> research.<br />

As a developing college program, we are dedicated to provide an environment <strong>of</strong> learning<br />

that meets our founding principles and the standards for accreditation. Our designation as an<br />

accredited institution remains intact. The <strong>College</strong> will seek re-evaluation in March 2009.<br />

I want to take a moment to congratulate Drs. Miguel Saggese and Teresa Morishita for<br />

organizing the first Avian Diseases and Conservation Conference, held May 29-31, 2008 on the<br />

campus <strong>of</strong> <strong>Western</strong>U. Attendees traveled internationally from Portugal and from throughout<br />

the United States. By all accounts, the presentations were well received.We look forward to<br />

future symposia.<br />

One last thought...the <strong>College</strong>’s research program continues to expand, including an<br />

emphasis on student involvement. This has been CVM’s most successful year ever with<br />

regards to student initiated projects. CVM students received funding for 15 <strong>of</strong> 20 <strong>Western</strong>U<br />

Student Summer Research Grants awarded this year. Each student will receive a $2,000<br />

stipend to work on their summer project. Additionally, students were also successful in<br />

acquiring a grant through the <strong>Veterinary</strong> Research Fellowship program, and two grants<br />

funded by the Morris Animal Foundation <strong>Veterinary</strong> Student Scholar Grant Program. I am so<br />

proud <strong>of</strong> our students!<br />

♥<br />

the<br />

Outlook<br />

Summer 2008/Volume 10, Issue 4<br />

<strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Veterinary</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong><br />

<strong>Western</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong><br />

Associate Editor:<br />

Robert V. Mason, DVM, MS<br />

909.469.5628<br />

rmason@westernu.edu<br />

Associate Editor:<br />

Leigh Wiemann<br />

909.469.5516<br />

lwiemann@westernu.edu<br />

Contributor:<br />

Renee Cook<br />

909.469.5651<br />

rcook@westernu.edu<br />

Photographer:<br />

Jess Lopatynski<br />

909.469.5298<br />

jlopatynski@westernu.edu<br />

Graphic Designer:<br />

Paul Gettler<br />

909.469.5256<br />

pgettler@westernu.edu<br />

------<br />

309 E. Second St.<br />

Pomona, Calif.<br />

91766-1854<br />

www.westernu.edu/cvm<br />

♥<br />

A Work Of Heart<br />

O n T h e C o v e r<br />

A collage <strong>of</strong> the festivities enjoyed by all during the<br />

3rd Annual CVM Open House on April 5, 2008.<br />

Photos by Jess Lopatynski<br />

Phillip Nelson, DVM, PhD<br />

2


GRADS IN THE FIELD<br />

We are pleased to introduce a new column, “Grads in The Field,” and encourage CVM alumni to email Outlook<br />

editor Dr. Robert Mason (rmason@westernu.edu) sharing experiences from their first year in practice.<br />

“My first year out in practice has been challenging and lots <strong>of</strong> fun. I have learned such a great deal it is difficult<br />

to know where to begin. I have been practicing in a private specialty hospital as an intern for this past year. I’ve<br />

seen and managed many interesting cases, learned details about clinical small animal medicine, learned how to<br />

be confident yet humble in front <strong>of</strong> clients, interacted with specialists in the top <strong>of</strong> their fields, and became close<br />

friends with my internmates. I have been trying to adapt to the constantly morphing schedule <strong>of</strong> overnights to<br />

days to overnights to days. There are smaller lessons that I’ve learned and lessons that I have yet to realize that I’ve learned. In<br />

reflection, everyday is satisfying and I am thankful that I love what I have chosen to become.”<br />

Michelle Schexneider, DVM<br />

Southern California <strong>Veterinary</strong> Referral Group, Irvine, Calif.<br />

C V M<br />

N e w s<br />

Erin Cassiday, DVM ’10, received an externship award from the<br />

American Association <strong>of</strong> Bovine Practitioners.The cash award is a<br />

stipend to help to defray her costs this summer as she completes a<br />

food animal externship.<br />

♥<br />

Briana Mirchel, DVM ’09, Zarah Hedge, DVM ’09, and Dr.<br />

Maisie Dawes presented a workshop with Dr. Peggy Barr at<br />

“Expanding Your Horizons” (EYH) at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> San Diego<br />

April 19-20. EYH is a program for 6th-10th grade girls to help<br />

introduce them to careers in science and engineering.<br />

♥<br />

Congratulations to Darlene Sanchez, DVM ’09, who won first<br />

place in the Toastmasters International Table Topics Speech<br />

Contest, Area Level, on March 15 in Redlands, Calif. and competed<br />

at the Division Level on April 13 in Victorville, Calif.<br />

♥<br />

Dr. Kristopher Irizarry has been invited to present “Leveraging<br />

Comparative Genomics to Infer Functional Consequences <strong>of</strong> Gene<br />

Expression Changes: Accelerating Microarray Discovery via<br />

Phenomics Annotation” at the Integrative Data Analysis Meeting,<br />

September 24-25, in Providence, RI.<br />

♥<br />

Dr. Malika Kachani spoke on Ectoparasites <strong>of</strong> small animals at<br />

the Animal Care Conference, April 7, in Anaheim, Calif.<br />

Dr. Kachani spoke to shelter veterinarians and conducted her<br />

presentation in a Problem Based Learning format, which generated<br />

great discussion <strong>of</strong> the cases presented. Dr. Peggy Barr also<br />

spoke at the Animal Care Conference on April 6. The subject <strong>of</strong><br />

her presentation was “Investigating and Controlling Feline Viral<br />

Disease Outbreaks.”<br />

♥<br />

Congratulations to all CVM students (see Research in Brief,<br />

pg. 11) who received funding <strong>of</strong> their <strong>Western</strong>U Student Summer<br />

Research Grant Applications! Read about these students and their<br />

research projects in this issue’s Research in Brief. Out <strong>of</strong> twenty<br />

♥<br />

Student Summer Research Grants funded by the <strong>University</strong> this<br />

year, fifteen <strong>of</strong> the Grants were awarded to CVM students—our<br />

most successful year to date. These 15 students combined with<br />

the two CVM students who received research funding from the<br />

Morris Animal Foundation, makes a total <strong>of</strong> 17 CVM students who<br />

will be working on their own funded research project this year.<br />

Most impressive! Congratulations to each <strong>of</strong> the students and to<br />

their research mentors for a job well done, and for representing<br />

the <strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Veterinary</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong> in this competition so very<br />

well.<br />

♥<br />

The <strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Veterinary</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong>, Seoul National <strong>University</strong>, and<br />

the <strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Veterinary</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong>,<strong>Western</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Health</strong><br />

<strong>Sciences</strong>, have entered into an agreement for academic<br />

collaboration to promote academic and research activities <strong>of</strong> the<br />

respective institutions and to deepen the understanding <strong>of</strong><br />

research and academic potential in areas <strong>of</strong> mutual interest and<br />

benefit. The veterinary exchange program may fund<br />

faculty/student activities in a variety <strong>of</strong> research/clinical activities<br />

at each college including joint research and continuing education<br />

programs. The five-year agreement was ratified by Yong Ho Park,<br />

DVM, MS. PhD, Dean and Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> the <strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Veterinary</strong><br />

<strong>Medicine</strong>, Seoul National <strong>University</strong>, and Phillip D. Nelson, DVM,<br />

PhD, Dean <strong>of</strong> the <strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Veterinary</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong>,<strong>Western</strong><br />

<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong>.<br />

Great big kudos to Dr. Ellen Collisson and<br />

her team <strong>of</strong> CVM collaborators (Drs. Maisie<br />

Dawes, Yvonne Drechsler, Kristopher J.<br />

Irizarry, Miguel Saggese, and Susan<br />

Tkalcic) on the funding <strong>of</strong> her USDA<br />

grant entitled “Impact <strong>of</strong> immune response<br />

<strong>of</strong> chickens with defined B haplotypes on<br />

resistance to respiratory coronavirus<br />

infection.” The funding is for three years with a<br />

total <strong>of</strong> $375,000 (total cost).<br />

♥<br />

3


<strong>College</strong><br />

Strengthens Ties<br />

to Puerto Rican<br />

Students<br />

IN FEBRUARY, DR. ROBERT MASON, Associate Dean for Clinical &<br />

External Relations at the <strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Veterinary</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong>, was<br />

invited to visit St. George’s <strong>University</strong> School <strong>of</strong> <strong>Veterinary</strong><br />

<strong>Medicine</strong> in Grenada,West Indies to make a presentation. Dr.<br />

Mason delivered his presentation,“New Approaches to Clinical<br />

Training & Assessment <strong>of</strong> Mastery: The <strong>Western</strong>U Model,” to<br />

Deans and Associate Deans from colleges that are affiliates <strong>of</strong><br />

St. George’s <strong>University</strong>, and which take students from the <strong>of</strong>fshore<br />

schools.<br />

Dr. Mason was also invited to speak to pre-veterinary students<br />

at the Mayguez Campus <strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Puerto Rico, a<br />

stopover on the way to Grenada. More than 60 students<br />

attended to hear Dr. Mason describe the<br />

<strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Veterinary</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong><br />

curriculum at <strong>Western</strong>U.<br />

A graduate <strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Puerto<br />

Rico is currently in his first year <strong>of</strong> studies<br />

at WU-CVM. Kenneth Aponte, DVM ’11,<br />

was educated at the Mayaguez campus<br />

before being accepted at WU-CVM.<br />

Kenneth shared the interesting story <strong>of</strong><br />

how he discovered <strong>Western</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>Health</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong>.<br />

Mr. Kenneth Aponte,<br />

right in his PBL<br />

group.<br />

“About two years ago I decided to start<br />

my search for a veterinary medicine<br />

school, but I was looking for something more than just a good<br />

education. I was looking for a university where I could grow<br />

as an individual, apply my previous skills and acquire a high<br />

quality education. After reviewing the websites <strong>of</strong> many<br />

universities and contacting them to learn more about their<br />

programs, I came across <strong>Western</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong>.<br />

I had never heard about the university before, but I wanted to<br />

find out more about it. After exploring their website and<br />

learning about the variety <strong>of</strong> opportunities they<br />

<strong>of</strong>fered, something told me that <strong>Western</strong>U was something<br />

special. I was captivated by the founding principles <strong>of</strong> the<br />

college and by the diverse faculty. Now I am part <strong>of</strong> the<br />

<strong>Western</strong>U family and it has been a<br />

wonderful, life-changing experience.<br />

The PBL program allows you to learn<br />

without limits and to interact with your<br />

peers in a very pr<strong>of</strong>ound way. The faculty<br />

members are extremely competent,<br />

approachable and more than your<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>essors, they become your friends. I am<br />

extremely happy with my decision to come<br />

to <strong>Western</strong>U and I would like to encourage<br />

anyone with the dream <strong>of</strong> becoming a<br />

veterinarian to become part <strong>of</strong> our family<br />

because it is a unique experience.”<br />

Dr. Mason responded to many questions<br />

from students at the Mayaguez campus, and generated much<br />

interest in the program at WU-CVM. He concluded,“I hope<br />

more students from Puerto Rico follow Mr. Aponte’s lead and<br />

make the <strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Veterinary</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong> at <strong>Western</strong>U their first<br />

choice for a veterinary education.”<br />

4


First Avian Conference Soars at CVM<br />

THE FIRST AVIAN DISEASES AND CONSERVATION CONFERENCE, held May<br />

29-31, 2008, at the <strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Veterinary</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong> (CVM) at <strong>Western</strong><br />

<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong>, drew more than 85<br />

participants representing veterinarians, ornithologists,<br />

conservationists, zoo keepers, rehabilitators,<br />

aviculturists, wildlife managers and park<br />

rangers with a special interest in avian<br />

conservation and diseases.<br />

The inaugural Conference was organized<br />

by CVM faculty members Miguel<br />

Saggese, DVM, MS, PhD,Assistant<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor,<strong>Veterinary</strong> Microbiology/Avian,<br />

Exotic, and Wildlife <strong>Medicine</strong>, and Teresa<br />

Morishita, DVM, PhD, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor, Poultry <strong>Medicine</strong><br />

& Food Safety.<br />

Attendees traveled from Portugal and throughout<br />

the United States to attend presentations by<br />

internationally renowned authorities, including<br />

keynote speakers Dr. Patrick Redig, co-founder and<br />

director <strong>of</strong> The Raptor Center at <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Minnesota, and<br />

Dr. Ian Tizard, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Pathobiology and holder <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Richard M. Schubot Chair in Avian <strong>Health</strong> at Texas A&M <strong>University</strong>.<br />

Dr. Redig is recognized as one <strong>of</strong> the world’s foremost experts on<br />

raptor diseases, medicine and surgery. Dr.Tizard is the author <strong>of</strong> the<br />

standard text on veterinary immunology, now in its eighth edition.<br />

Top right, Dr. Miguel Saggese,<br />

center left, Susie Kasielke, Curator<br />

<strong>of</strong> Birds, Los Angeles Zoo makes a<br />

presentation, bottom right, Dean<br />

Phillip Nelson at right samples<br />

items from the dinner buffet.<br />

The Conference delivered new information on infectious,<br />

toxicological and nutritional diseases in free-ranging and captive<br />

birds as they relate to their conservation, and provided networking<br />

opportunities for avian health pr<strong>of</strong>essionals.Topics ranged from the<br />

role <strong>of</strong> birds as biosentinels to avian zoonoses to genetic disorders<br />

in the California Condor.<br />

The Conference kicked <strong>of</strong>f with an opening welcome dinner at the<br />

Los Angeles Zoo and participants made a farewell visit to the<br />

International Bird Rescue Research Center in San Pedro, Calif.<br />

Featured Speakers:<br />

Dr. Patrick Redig, DVM, PhD,<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor, CVM, <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

Minnesota<br />

Dr. Ian Tizard, BVMS, PhD,<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor, Schubot Exotic Bird<br />

<strong>Health</strong> Center, CVM, Texas A&M<br />

<strong>University</strong><br />

Dr. Cynthia Stringfield, DVM,<br />

America's Teaching Zoo<br />

Veterinarian, Moorpark <strong>College</strong><br />

Dr. Janna Wynne, DVM, Associate<br />

Veterinarian, Los Angeles Zoo<br />

and Botanical Gardens<br />

Mrs. Suzie Kasielke, MS, Curator<br />

<strong>of</strong> Birds, Los Angeles Zoo and<br />

Botanical Gardens<br />

Dr.Teresa Morishita, DVM, MPVM,<br />

MS, PhD, DACPV, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor, CVM,<br />

<strong>Western</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Health</strong><br />

<strong>Sciences</strong><br />

Dr. Ellen Collisson, PhD, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor,<br />

CVM, <strong>Western</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>Health</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong><br />

Dr.Tracey McNamara, DVM, Dipl.<br />

ACVP, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor, CVM, <strong>Western</strong><br />

<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong><br />

Dr. Miguel D. Saggese, DVM, MS,<br />

PhD, Assistant Pr<strong>of</strong>essor, CVM,<br />

<strong>Western</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Health</strong><br />

<strong>Sciences</strong><br />

Dr. Robert Dalhaussen, DVM, MS,<br />

<strong>Veterinary</strong> Molecular Diagnosis,<br />

Inc.<br />

Dr. Suzana Tkalcic, DVM, PhD,<br />

Assistant Pr<strong>of</strong>essor, CVM, <strong>Western</strong><br />

<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong><br />

Dr. Arno Wunschmann, DVM, Dr.<br />

med-vet, Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor, CVM,<br />

<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Minnesota<br />

Dr. H. Shivaprasad, BVSc, PhD,<br />

Dipl.ACPV, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor, <strong>University</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> California - Fresno<br />

Dr.Andrew Pumerantz, DO, PhD,<br />

Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor, COMP,<br />

<strong>Western</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Health</strong><br />

<strong>Sciences</strong><br />

Dr. Pamela Govett, DVM, Dipl.<br />

ACZM, CVM, <strong>Western</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong><br />

Dr. Janis Joslin, DVM, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor,<br />

CVM, <strong>Western</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>Health</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong><br />

Dr.Yvonne Drechsler, PhD,<br />

Assistant Pr<strong>of</strong>essor, CVM, <strong>Western</strong><br />

<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong><br />

Dr Elizabeth Rega, MA, PhD,<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor, COMP, <strong>Western</strong><br />

<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong><br />

Mr. John Aikins, Director <strong>of</strong><br />

Conservation, San Francisco Zoo<br />

Dr. Heather Nevill, DVM, Associate<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor, CVM, <strong>Western</strong><br />

<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong><br />

Dr. Felipe Marthino, DVM,<br />

Universidad Lusifona de<br />

Humanidades e Tecnologia,<br />

Portugal<br />

5


3rd Annual<br />

Draws Record Crowd<br />

The <strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Veterinary</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong>’s third annual Open House, held on April 5, 2008, welcomed more than 500 Boy<br />

Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Brownies, as well as middle school and high school students, their parents, and<br />

friends from communities throughout the greater Los Angeles area.<br />

Attendance at this annual community-wide educational event has steadily increased each year. Low cost pet<br />

micro-chipping, tips on pet care, animal learning exhibits, information on how to become a veterinarian, and <strong>of</strong> course<br />

food, drinks, and ice cream, combined with perfect Southern California weather, drew a record-breaking 2008 crowd.<br />

Daniele and her cat “Squidee”<br />

with the cat tree they won at the<br />

CVM Open House.<br />

My Cat Squidee<br />

One <strong>of</strong> my best friends is my cat, Squidee. She is a gray, white, and<br />

black tabby. I got her when I was three. I begged my dad to get me a<br />

cat because we had a previous cat before that disappeared.<br />

When Squidee was three months old a terrible accident occurred.<br />

I was leaving to go to preschool. The cat was sitting on top <strong>of</strong> the<br />

opened garage door. Not knowing she was up there we closed the<br />

garage door. When we came home that evening we found her inside<br />

the garage in shock. We took her into the vet to see what we could do<br />

to help because her leg was completely flat. The vet ended up<br />

amputating her left back leg saying that she was so young she would<br />

not even miss it. When it was all over and she healed she was as<br />

happy as a child on Christmas Day.<br />

Now she is seven. She will be eight on April 15th 2008. She inspired<br />

me to not be scared when something bad happens. When her leg was<br />

flattened by the garage, she did not give up. She can run up a tree<br />

and climb up a brick wall just as well as any other four legged cat. She<br />

is always happy and purring no matter what. She helped me to not be<br />

scared when “monsters” were in my closet. When I had a nightmare,<br />

I held her so tight. She is one <strong>of</strong> the best cats you could have.<br />

We love each other so much. She will let you do anything to her. If you<br />

pull her tail she will just lick you. She is the most well behaved cat I<br />

have ever seen. I hope she will inspire you just like she inspired me.<br />

Congratulations to CVM students clubs, faculty and staff for their outstanding<br />

work, and thank you to the following donors for their support.<br />

Bayer Animal <strong>Health</strong><br />

Brianne E. Brockmeier,<br />

DVM 2009<br />

Wendell Cole, DVM<br />

Costco<br />

D & R Furniture<br />

Maria Fahie, DVM<br />

Fort Dodge Animal <strong>Health</strong><br />

Global Dosimetry<br />

Hill’s Pet Nutrition<br />

Drs. Gary and<br />

Shirley Johnston<br />

Los Angeles Zoo<br />

Mr. Mac McBride<br />

Merial Drug Company<br />

Mimi’s Café<br />

Nestle Purina Pet Care<br />

Royal Canin<br />

Mr. Gary and<br />

Dr. Peggy Schmidt<br />

Scrubby Puppy<br />

Stater Bros.<br />

The Butler Company<br />

Ms. Annaluz Wilton<br />

6


PRECEPTOR PROFILE<br />

Curtis Eng, DVM, Chief Veterinarian<br />

Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens<br />

MY LOVE FOR THE EXOTICS came as a result<br />

<strong>of</strong> the endless badgering <strong>of</strong> my parents to<br />

watch Mutual <strong>of</strong> Omaha’s Wild<br />

Kingdom. I thought for sure I’d be Jim<br />

jumping out <strong>of</strong> the helicopter and landing<br />

on that Cape buffalo. But alas I found out<br />

that Jim suffers from severe chronic pain<br />

associated with those daring episodes so<br />

I refocused my goals onto something<br />

more practical and less painful.<br />

Becoming a veterinarian has been<br />

challenging for me given the disdain that<br />

my parents had for animals. Growing up<br />

in Washington, D.C. (a place with no<br />

cows, pigs or sheep, I point out) and in a<br />

mammal-free environment (yes, I could<br />

have the proverbial goldfish which I<br />

cajoled my parents into expanding to<br />

some 10 tanks scattered around the<br />

homestead), I lived vicariously through all<br />

my friends who had cats, dogs, gerbils and the whole gamut <strong>of</strong><br />

pets. Nevertheless I persevered, obtaining my veterinary degree<br />

from Purdue <strong>University</strong>. I almost became an honorary Hoosier<br />

by staying in Indiana for 12 years post graduation. Starting with<br />

a small animal/exotic practice where I stayed for seven years<br />

while volunteering one day a week at the Lincoln Park Zoo<br />

(Chicago, Ill.), I moved on to a small zoo in South Bend, Ind.<br />

serving as their Assistant Director/Staff Veterinarian. Following<br />

the advice <strong>of</strong> John Soule’s famous quote,“Go West, young<br />

man….” I packed my bags for Phoenix, Ariz. to become chief<br />

veterinarian for their Zoo, followed by further westerly travels<br />

to Los Angeles where I currently serve in the same capacity.<br />

The <strong>Western</strong>U Preceptor Program was<br />

one <strong>of</strong> the factors that attracted me to<br />

the LA Zoo position. Having had the<br />

benefit <strong>of</strong> some very good mentors in<br />

my past, I have strived to serve in the<br />

same capacity. Being able to provide<br />

advice and guidance, not only<br />

regarding clinical issues, but more<br />

importantly on career and life issues<br />

is an invaluable experience for me.<br />

These students come in with<br />

wonderfully idealistic attitudes about<br />

what veterinary medicine is about, as<br />

they should. My goal is to preserve<br />

that passion for the pr<strong>of</strong>ession, but<br />

provide a dose <strong>of</strong> realism that will<br />

s<strong>of</strong>ten the impact <strong>of</strong> reality on them<br />

once they graduate. Regardless <strong>of</strong> the<br />

life stage at which students come to<br />

us veterinarians, I believe it is<br />

important for us to serve as role<br />

models and sources <strong>of</strong> information/inspiration for these<br />

students.<br />

Although our goal at the Zoo is not to convert students into<br />

zoo veterinarians, many students find it appealing, but believe<br />

the field is far too competitive for them to enter. I agree it is an<br />

extremely competitive field, but I remind them that they’ve<br />

already jumped the biggest hurdle <strong>of</strong> their careers by getting<br />

into veterinary school. Becoming a zoo veterinarian takes just a<br />

little more effort but is easily within their grasps. My goal is to<br />

make sure they grasp those opportunities wherever they are.<br />

Ten Reasons<br />

10. I don’t know how to do anything else anymore.<br />

9. We won’t be able to say “I’ll go ask the doctor.”<br />

8. No more free VIN membership.<br />

7. I no longer have the attention span to do the same job for<br />

more than four weeks at a time.<br />

6. I’m really going to miss disbursement day.<br />

5. We will never ever be able to pay back the debt that we owe.<br />

Not just the money, but the overwhelming debt that we all<br />

owe to friends and family who’ve kept us going along the way.<br />

Why I Don’t Want to Leave the<br />

<strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Veterinary</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong><br />

By Sara Stoll, DVM ’08<br />

4. I am afraid that no one will ever push us quite as hard or believe in us as much<br />

as Pep or Dr. J or any <strong>of</strong> our beloved faculty have.<br />

3. I am quite certain that I will never be able to organize my life as well as Anna<br />

and Renee have organized it the past 4 years.<br />

2. We’ll never be able to come back to campus after a long adventure in veterinary<br />

medicine, to find your classmates and faculty welcoming you with open arms.<br />

1. And the number one reason I don’t want vet school to end is that we have to go<br />

our separate ways. The best thing about going to vet school at <strong>Western</strong>U has<br />

always been the people. And I know that I will never feel as much a part <strong>of</strong> any<br />

team or community as I do right now.<br />

7


C V M S t u d e n t P r o f i l e s - C l a s s o f 2 0 1 1<br />

♥<br />

Nick Reyes<br />

I was born and raised in Sacramento,<br />

California and earned a BA in integrative<br />

biology from UC Berkeley in 2003. Lived in<br />

the Bay Area for four years where I worked in<br />

private practice and at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

California, San Francisco. My main interests<br />

are laboratory animal and primate medicine,<br />

but I enjoy working with all species.<br />

Hughes Sanders<br />

Originally from North Carolina, I received<br />

my BS in biology and psychology in 2003<br />

from Warren Wilson <strong>College</strong> in Asheville,<br />

North Carolina. After working for two<br />

years in Northern California I moved to<br />

NYC where I received an MS in biology<br />

from NYU. Currently my interests are in<br />

small animal surgery and internal medicine.<br />

I’ve lived all over! From Minnesota, to<br />

Massachusetts,Vermont and now California!<br />

I have a BS in animal science from the <strong>University</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> Vermont. I was a certified dog trainer and vet<br />

tech before being accepted into <strong>Western</strong>U. I’ve<br />

enjoyed dairy, behavior and small animal work<br />

so I don’t know what I want to be when I grow<br />

up, besides a veterinarian <strong>of</strong> course!<br />

Rebecca Sevy<br />

I was born and raised in Southern California.<br />

I earned my BS degree from Cal Poly,<br />

San Luis Obispo in dairy science, and my MS<br />

from UC Davis concentrating in ruminant<br />

nutrition. In the future, I would like to focus<br />

my career in the area <strong>of</strong> food animal<br />

medicine/research and I am thrilled to<br />

become part <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Western</strong>U community.<br />

Matt Singer<br />

Jason Steenis<br />

I have lived in the Tampa Bay area since I<br />

was eight. I received my AS in veterinary<br />

technology, and my BS in biomedical<br />

sciences from the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> San<br />

Francisco. I am a certified veterinary<br />

technician for the past nine years as well<br />

as a server for the past eleven.<br />

Tiffany Stillian<br />

I was born and raised in San Mateo,<br />

California and graduated from UC<br />

Davis in 2006 with a BS in animal<br />

science. My focus is mainly on small<br />

animal medicine and surgery, and I<br />

hope to use my skills as a veterinarian<br />

both in the United States and abroad.<br />

I’ve spent my entire life in Florida; my first<br />

trip to the west coast was for my interview.<br />

I have fallen in love with this medicine, and<br />

plan to specialize in small animal surgery,<br />

although I enjoy emergency medicine as<br />

well. I enjoy canoeing, reading, sewing,<br />

football, and ice cream. :)<br />

Jennifer Stonequist<br />

I was born and raised in Seoul, Korea<br />

until 1992.Then, I lived in various cities<br />

in southern California such as Rancho<br />

Cucamonga and Torrance. I graduated<br />

from CSULA with a BS in biology. I am<br />

ready to explore my life at <strong>Western</strong>U to<br />

reach my goal to become a veterinarian!<br />

Da Yoon Sung<br />

Diane Tang<br />

Born in Manila, Philippines and raised in<br />

Southern California, I graduated from UCLA<br />

in 2002 with two BAs: one in<br />

communication studies and one in<br />

psychology. Before committing to veterinary<br />

medicine, I worked in entertainment public<br />

relations. I am interested in both aquatic<br />

and zoo/exotic animal medicine.<br />

Alyson Tani<br />

I spent my undergrad years studying<br />

large animals and assisting at a vet<br />

clinic. I also enjoy art, comics, and like<br />

any SoCal girl, I also surf, snowboard<br />

and read trashy gossip magazines. If you<br />

see a red Honda screaming around a<br />

corner, run, because that’s probably me.<br />

8


C V M S t u d e n t P r o f i l e s - C l a s s o f 2 0 1 1<br />

♥<br />

I was born and raised in Louisville,<br />

Kentucky. I graduated from the <strong>University</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> Kentucky and received a BS in animal<br />

sciences and a biology minor. I have<br />

dreamed <strong>of</strong> becoming a veterinarian since<br />

I was a young boy and I’m interested in<br />

small animal and avian medicine.<br />

Matthew Thompson<br />

I grew up in southeast Colorado, earned<br />

my BS in biology and MS in ruminant<br />

nutrition from Colorado State <strong>University</strong>.<br />

My husband and I are both attending<br />

<strong>Western</strong>U, and have two chesapeakes<br />

named Rolly and Ellie. My primary interests<br />

are food animal and small animal medicine.<br />

Nicole Trainor<br />

Tiffany Trotter<br />

Greetings from the Jersey Shore! I’m a<br />

Rutgers <strong>University</strong> graduate and an<br />

aspiring performance horse veterinarian.<br />

I worked at Monmouth Park Racetrack for<br />

four years with thoroughbred race horses<br />

and I own my own horse that I compete<br />

in eventing and dressage.<br />

Karura Watanabe<br />

I received my bachelor’s degree in animal<br />

science with an emphasis in equine<br />

science from <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> California,<br />

Davis. I was employed as a veterinary<br />

technician at the equine hospitals on the<br />

race tracks. I’m honored to be a part <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>Western</strong>U family.<br />

I was born in Orlando, Florida.<br />

I graduated from the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Florida<br />

with a BS in microbiology and entomology. It<br />

has been my lifelong desire to be a DVM.<br />

I plan to focus on small animals, and have an<br />

interest in pathology. I hope to eventually<br />

have my own clinic and sanctuary.<br />

Michael Whaley<br />

I was born and raised in Honolulu,<br />

Hawaii. I obtained a bachelor’s<br />

degree in zoology and a master’s<br />

degree in animal sciences from the<br />

<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Hawaii at Manoa. My<br />

current interests are aquatic and<br />

small animal medicine.<br />

Lei Yamasaki<br />

Marina Yamate<br />

I’ve spent my whole life in SoCal and<br />

graduated from California State Polytechnic<br />

<strong>University</strong>, Pomona in 2005 with a BS in<br />

animal science. My passion is small animal<br />

medicine though I also have interests in<br />

surgery and exotic/zoo medicine. I am<br />

honored to be a part <strong>of</strong> <strong>Western</strong>U.<br />

Jae Yoo<br />

I was born in Korea and moved to Los<br />

Angeles, California in 1991. I attended<br />

UC Davis and obtained a BS in animal<br />

science. I am interested in veterinary<br />

acupuncture and laboratory animal<br />

medicine. I have six dogs, two cats,<br />

and several farm animals.<br />

I was born and raised in San Diego,<br />

California. I graduated from Cal Poly, San<br />

Luis Obispo with a BS in animal science.<br />

I have been passionate about horses my<br />

whole life and hope to have my own<br />

equine practice. My interests include<br />

riding horses and hiking with my dogs.<br />

Sarah Zelonis<br />

I am from Newburyport, Massachusetts born<br />

and raised. I graduated from the <strong>University</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> Massachusetts <strong>of</strong> Amherst in 2005<br />

majoring in pre-vet. I took the last two years<br />

<strong>of</strong> to work in a small animal clinic in Boston<br />

while volunteering with everything from<br />

horses to penguins in my free time.<br />

Jonathan Zuker<br />

9


C V M F a c u l t y P r o f i l e s<br />

MIGUEL D. SAGGESE, DVM, MS, PhD, was born<br />

and raised in Buenos Aires,Argentina. He<br />

obtained his veterinary degree at <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

Buenos Aires and worked in Argentina for<br />

many years in small animal practice as well in<br />

avian, exotic and wildlife medicine before<br />

coming to the U.S. He chose his career well<br />

before finishing high school, coincidently with<br />

the start <strong>of</strong> another <strong>of</strong> his great passions:<br />

ornithology, birds <strong>of</strong> prey and wildlife<br />

conservation. During the early years at vet<br />

MIGUEL D. SAGGESE<br />

school, Dr. Saggese conducted biological<br />

studies on Harpy eagles in the northeastern Argentine forests and<br />

Patagonian raptors in southern Argentina. Given his studies and interests<br />

in ornithology, infectious diseases, wildlife conservation and veterinary<br />

medicine, his path in this career was clearly early determined.<br />

After working for many years as a veterinarian in his country, in 2001<br />

Dr. Saggese migrated to the U.S. to start his master’s in avian infectious<br />

diseases and a residency program in avian medicine, rehabilitation,<br />

anesthesia and orthopedic surgery at The Raptor Center - <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

Minnesota. During his tenure in Minnesota Dr. Saggese saw the terrible<br />

effects <strong>of</strong> West Nile virus on bald eagles, great horned owls and many<br />

other species <strong>of</strong> raptors admitted at this center and affected by this<br />

virus. Seeing the pain and suffering <strong>of</strong> these birds helped him to decide<br />

his master research project: investigate the efficacy <strong>of</strong> three different<br />

West Nile virus vaccines in avian models.<br />

Shortly after finishing his master’s degree (two days after, the time<br />

needed to drive from Minnesota to Texas along Hwy 35!) Dr. Saggese<br />

and his family moved to Texas A&M <strong>University</strong>. His new home was the<br />

Schubot Exotic Bird <strong>Health</strong> Center-<strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Veterinary</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong>,<br />

where he obtained his PhD in veterinary microbiology investigating the<br />

molecular epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis and treatment <strong>of</strong> avian<br />

mycobacteriosis. His current research interests range from investigating<br />

the role that diseases and environmental pollutants have on the<br />

endangered South American crowned eagle populations and osprey<br />

migration to the southern hemisphere to investigate the molecular<br />

epidemiology <strong>of</strong> avian tuberculosis and the use <strong>of</strong> avian models for<br />

studying mycobacterial infections in humans and domestic animals.<br />

Dr. Saggese joined the <strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Veterinary</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong> as an assistant<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> avian, exotic and wildlife medicine and veterinary<br />

microbiology in August 2007. He enjoys working with students,<br />

especially during PBL sessions where he can watch them learn and<br />

progress day after day. He is actively involved in several organizations<br />

like the Raptor Research Foundation, Association <strong>of</strong> Avian Veterinarians<br />

and the Eagle Conservation Alliance, among others.<br />

He lives with his wife, Stella, a psychologist, and Misha, a 5-year-old<br />

tricolored female cat in Los Angeles, but they are currently considering<br />

moving closer to <strong>Western</strong>U. He has one son, Renzo (22), currently<br />

studying law school and anthropology at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Buenos Aires<br />

in Argentina. Birding in Californian beaches and mountains, playing<br />

electric guitar with his friends, collecting books about raptors and<br />

traveling with his wife along the U.S. (has visited 37 states already) are<br />

his main hobbies.<br />

JENNIFER L. BUUR, DVM, PhD, Diplomate<br />

<strong>of</strong> the American <strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Veterinary</strong><br />

Clinical Pharmacology, joined <strong>Western</strong><br />

<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong> in July<br />

2007 as Assistant Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong><br />

Pharmacology. Beyond bringing her<br />

expertise in clinical and basic<br />

pharmacology, Dr. Buur also brings a<br />

diversity <strong>of</strong> experience including small<br />

animal private practice, exotic animal<br />

practice, wildlife rehabilitation, zoo and<br />

Jennifer L. Buur<br />

shelter medicine. She currently serves as<br />

a PBL facilitator, discipline content expert in pharmacology, module<br />

leader, and 4th year rotation administrator. She is also the <strong>College</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>Veterinary</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong>’s faculty representative on the Institutional<br />

Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at <strong>Western</strong>U.<br />

Dr. Buur was born and raised a few miles from campus in Upland,<br />

Calif. She has subsequently pursued a career <strong>of</strong> being an out <strong>of</strong><br />

state student starting with the completion <strong>of</strong> her pre-veterinary<br />

course work at Washington State <strong>University</strong> in Pullman,Wash.,<br />

continuing with her Doctor <strong>of</strong> <strong>Veterinary</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong> in 1999 from<br />

the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Wisconsin-Madison, and ending with the dual<br />

residency in veterinary clinical pharmacology (completed in 2006)<br />

and Doctor <strong>of</strong> Philosophy in Comparative Biomedical <strong>Sciences</strong><br />

(completed in 2007) at North Carolina State <strong>University</strong> in<br />

Raleigh, N.C.<br />

Dr. Buur’s research interest is in comparative pharmacokinetics.<br />

Current research studies include the description <strong>of</strong> the<br />

pharmacokinetics <strong>of</strong> a variety <strong>of</strong> drugs used in exotic animals such<br />

as ceftazidime in Koi and in the genetic basis for adverse drug<br />

reactions in canine cancer patients. Dr. Buur’s overall focus is on<br />

the applications <strong>of</strong> physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK)<br />

models to problems encountered in veterinary medicine. Her<br />

research goal is to use these models to improve the individual<br />

dosing <strong>of</strong> patients receiving chemotherapeutic agents.<br />

Beyond her research goals and passion for teaching rational drug<br />

use, Dr. Buur also has an active interest in cycling. She currently<br />

commutes via her bicycle twice a week and has a goal <strong>of</strong><br />

commuting every day by this fall when the weather will be cooler.<br />

♥<br />

10


RESEARCH<br />

In Brief<br />

Josep Rutllant, DVM, PhD<br />

Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor, Anatomy<br />

Dr. Rutllant’s research goal has been to develop an<br />

understanding <strong>of</strong> sperm transport in female genitalia<br />

and events related to fertilization for domestic<br />

livestock species. Mechanisms involved in successful<br />

sperm transport and fertilization may then be utilized<br />

to understand why fertilization failure occurs and to answer unpredictable<br />

problems <strong>of</strong> sub-fertility and infertility.This information is also critical for<br />

the development <strong>of</strong> new contraceptive technologies and new approaches<br />

to provide accurate systems <strong>of</strong> estrus detection. A better knowledge <strong>of</strong> the<br />

required processes involved in sperm physiology that are necessary for<br />

fertilization, such as epididymal maturation and sperm capacitation, can<br />

help us find unknown answers to problems <strong>of</strong> infertility and improve the<br />

methodology for male genome preservation.<br />

Congratulations to Dr. Carmen Fuentealba, former CVM faculty member<br />

(now at <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Calgary), current CVM Associate Dean Robert<br />

Mason, and <strong>University</strong> Vice President <strong>of</strong> Advancement Dr. Shirley<br />

Johnston, on publication <strong>of</strong> their paper: Fuentealba C, Mason RV, Johnston<br />

SD: Community-based clinical veterinary education at <strong>Western</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong>. J Vet Med Educ 35(1):34-42, 2008.<br />

“A novel approach to documentation and tracking <strong>of</strong> clinical skills<br />

acquisition by veterinary students.” was presented at a poster presentation<br />

by Dr. Wendell Cole and Dr. Peggy Schmidt for the Association <strong>of</strong><br />

American <strong>Veterinary</strong> Medical <strong>College</strong>s’ Educational Symposium in<br />

Washington, D.C. on March 13-17, 2008.<br />

Dr. Maisie Dawes made a presentation entitled,“Biosecurity and the<br />

Caprine Producer,” at Tuskegee <strong>University</strong>’s 43rd Annual <strong>Veterinary</strong> Medical<br />

Symposium held March 26-29, 2008.<br />

Dr. Miguel Saggese presented “Survey <strong>of</strong> Lead Toxicosis in Free-Ranging<br />

Raptors from Central Argentina,” at the Ingestion <strong>of</strong> Lead Spent<br />

Ammunition: Impacts on Wildlife and Humans Conference convened by<br />

The Peregrine Fund in Boise, Idaho on May 12-15, 2008.<br />

Dr. Teresa Morishita and Mr. Jonathan Padilla will <strong>of</strong>fer a poster<br />

presentation,“Comparative Microbiological Ecology <strong>of</strong> the Intestines in<br />

Poultry Species,” at the American <strong>Veterinary</strong> Medical Association Annual<br />

Convention in New Orleans, July 18-23, 2008.<br />

Dr. Carlos Crocker will make a poster presentation: Portz, D.E. and<br />

Crocker, C.E.,“Holding-duration-associated stress <strong>of</strong> Green Sturgeon<br />

(Acipenser medirostris) at South Delta Fish Collection Facilities,<br />

California,” at the American Fisheries Society Meeting in Portland, OR in<br />

July 2008.<br />

Noah Pavlisko, DVM ’10, has been selected for the summer <strong>Veterinary</strong><br />

Research Fellowship program at MIT, an NIH-funded summer externship<br />

for veterinary students with an interest in biomedical research. The main<br />

focus is on laboratory research and comparative pathology.<br />

Kimberly Bridges, DVM ’11, and Alice D’Amore, DVM ’11, were awarded<br />

stipends by the Morris Animal Foundation’s <strong>Veterinary</strong> Student Scholars<br />

Program. The Program provides veterinary students an opportunity to<br />

become involved in short-term clinical or basic veterinary research that<br />

enhances the health and welfare <strong>of</strong> companion animals and wildlife.<br />

CONGRATULATIONS to the following CVM students who successfully<br />

pursued <strong>Western</strong>U Student Summer Research Grants for summer 2008.<br />

Leah Baksh, DVM ’10: Survey <strong>of</strong> Endoparasites and Ectoparasites in the<br />

Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizzii)<br />

Jennifer Boardman, DVM ’11: Morphometric Study <strong>of</strong> Gastrointestinal<br />

Nematodes <strong>of</strong> California Sea Lions<br />

Brandon Boren, DVM ’10: Radiographic Atlas <strong>of</strong> the California Sea Lion<br />

(Zalophus californianus)<br />

Tamera Chan, DVM ’11: Experimental Assays in Assessing Presence <strong>of</strong> REV<br />

Specific IgY in the Attwater Prairie Chicken<br />

Gabrielle Galgoul, DVM ’11: Identification <strong>of</strong> Cancer Associated Canine<br />

Genomic Intervals Using Bioinformatics and Comparative Genomics<br />

Erin Goodwin, DVM ’09: Measuring Oxidative Stress and Protein<br />

Nitrosylation after Exposure to Methamphtamine in FIV Infected Astrocytes<br />

Brett Grossman, DVM ’11:An Epidemiology Survey <strong>of</strong> Papilloma Virus in<br />

captive Snow Leopards in North American Zoos<br />

Audrey Hoholm, DVM ’11: Statistical Analysis <strong>of</strong> SNPs in Linkage<br />

Disequilibrium Inheritance with Oncogenes in the Domestic Dog<br />

Kelly Hughes, DVM ’11: Clinical and Pathologic Findings <strong>of</strong> Feline Renal<br />

Shut Down: Initial Description <strong>of</strong> a Unique Lesion<br />

Jessica Jennings, DVM ’10:A Comparison Between Dry Cow Management<br />

in Southern California and New Zealand and its Impact on Hypocalcemia<br />

Avery Krein, DVM ’11: Pharmacokinetics <strong>of</strong> Ceftazidime in koi (Cyprinus<br />

carpio) after Single Dose Intramuscular or Intracoelomic Administration<br />

Jessica Robin Leach: Histological Investigation <strong>of</strong> the Skin Vasculature <strong>of</strong><br />

Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) and their Possible Roles in<br />

Thermoregulation<br />

Vanessa Rizzo, DVM ’10: Ice as an Enrichment Device in Swine<br />

Diane Hazel Go Tang, DVM ’11: Survey <strong>of</strong> Medical Problems in Captive<br />

Snow Leopards at North American Zoos Prior to 2003<br />

Jae Yoo, DVM ’11: Genetic Variation <strong>of</strong> Serotonin Transporter Gene in<br />

Humans and Dogs<br />

11


Four CVM Students Conduct Research<br />

in Comparative Genomics<br />

UNDERSTANDING HOW MAMMALIAN GENOMES ENCODE PHENOTYPES<br />

such as physiological processes, behavior, morphological<br />

characteristics and clinically relevant traits is extremely<br />

important in order to advance human and veterinary<br />

medicine. The sequencing <strong>of</strong> multiple mammalian genomes<br />

makes it possible to explore the genetic basis <strong>of</strong> these<br />

phenotypes in both animals and humans using bioinformatics<br />

and comparative genomics approaches.<br />

Four students from <strong>Western</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong><br />

<strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Veterinary</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong> (CVM) have begun<br />

independent comparative genomics research projects under<br />

the guidance <strong>of</strong> an interdisciplinary team <strong>of</strong> researchers<br />

comprised <strong>of</strong> Dr. Kristopher Irizarry, Assistant Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong><br />

Bioinformatics, Genetics and Genomics, CVM; Dr. Peggy<br />

Schmidt, Assistant Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Population <strong>Medicine</strong>, CVM;<br />

and Dr. Katherine Mitsouras, Assistant Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong><br />

Biochemistry, <strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> Osteopathic <strong>Medicine</strong> <strong>of</strong> the Pacific,<br />

<strong>Western</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong>.<br />

Asked about the capacity <strong>of</strong> veterinary<br />

students to engage in such cutting edge<br />

genomics research, Dr. Irizarry stated,“Our<br />

veterinary students are uniquely suited to<br />

independent research projects and many can<br />

function at the level <strong>of</strong> graduate students in a<br />

biomedical PhD program. One <strong>of</strong> the strengths<br />

<strong>of</strong> a ‘problem based learning curriculum’ is that it<br />

produces students who are highly capable <strong>of</strong><br />

identifying problems and solving them–exactly the<br />

traits desired in a genomics researcher. Not only<br />

will these students enjoy working in comparative<br />

genomics, they will likely make novel<br />

discoveries, contribute real genomics data and<br />

hopefully author a publication based on their<br />

research.”<br />

Kristopher Irizarry Peggy Schmidt Katherine Mitsouras<br />

The unique expertise <strong>of</strong> the faculty coupled with the four self-directed and<br />

motivated students has contributed to some truly exciting student projects this<br />

summer including:<br />

• identifying regions <strong>of</strong> the canine genome associated with susceptibility to cancer<br />

(Gabrielle Galgoul, DVM ’11),<br />

• analysis <strong>of</strong> canine genetic variation contributing to altered protein structure and<br />

function (Audrey Hoholm, DVM ’11),<br />

• characterizing genetic variation in genes encoding neurotransmitter receptors in<br />

both human and canine genomes associated with anxiety related behavior<br />

(Jae Yoo, DVM ’11) and<br />

• investigating genetic variation and diversity within enzymes involved in<br />

glycolysis across animal genomes (Matthew Singer, DVM ’11).<br />

12


Post Grad 2008 Plans<br />

NAME<br />

IMMEDIATE FUTURE PLAN<br />

1) Emily Angell.......................Internship, VCA South Shore, Weymouth, MA<br />

2) Alicia Bauchman ................Internship-<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Illinois-Food Animal <strong>Medicine</strong><br />

3) Jenny Bennett ...................Associate, Triangle <strong>Veterinary</strong> Hospital, Durham, NC<br />

4) Colleen Brown...................Undecided at this time<br />

5) Daisy Burns .......................Undecided at this time<br />

6) Paula Capurro ...................Associate, small animal practice, Santa Rosa, CA<br />

7) Kamaryn Casey.................Associate, Rose City <strong>Veterinary</strong> Hospital, Pasadena, CA<br />

8) Liana Chang .......................Associate, Wegert Scholar, Banfield the Pet Hospital, Upland, CA<br />

9) Michel Choi ........................Associate, Tustin Avenue <strong>Veterinary</strong> Hospital, Orange, CA<br />

10) Shelby Costin ....................Internship, California <strong>Veterinary</strong> Specialists, San Marcos, CA<br />

11) Tara Cotraneo....................Residency, Lab Animal <strong>Medicine</strong>, <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI<br />

12) Danielle Desjardins...........Residency-Anatomic Pathology-Michigan State <strong>University</strong>, Lansing<br />

13) Martha Diaz ......................Residency-UCLA-Lab Animal <strong>Medicine</strong><br />

14) Megan Dispenza ...............Associate, Wegert Scholar, Banfield the Pet Hospital, Mira Loma, CA<br />

15) Heather Elliott...................Internship-Advanced <strong>Veterinary</strong> Care-Lawndale, CA<br />

16) Cassandra Erickson...........Internship, VCA Albuquerque, NM<br />

17) Kelly Everson ....................Undecided at this time<br />

18) Ryan Folse.........................Undecided at this time<br />

19) Carolyn Foster...................Associate, Banfield the Pet Hospital, Rancho Cordova, CA<br />

20) Mitchell Fults.....................Internship, California <strong>Veterinary</strong> Specialists, San Marcos, CA<br />

21) Nathan Fynaardt...............Internship, VCA Sacramento, CA<br />

22) Eva Ganz............................Internship-Animal Specialty Group-Los Angeles<br />

23) Mauricio Guaysamin.........Internship, VCA Hotel Circle, San Diego, CA<br />

24) Janie Guirguis ...................Associate, small animal practice-Southern California<br />

25) Miriam Harvey..................Associate, Wegert Scholar, Banfield the Pet Hospital, Fontana<br />

26) Hiroko Hata.......................Internship, <strong>Veterinary</strong> Specialty Center <strong>of</strong> Tucson, AZ<br />

27) Chrissy Heathcock ............Associate, Friendship Hospital for Animals, Washington D.C.<br />

28) Cynthia Hervatic...............Internship-<strong>Veterinary</strong> Medical & Surgical Group-Ventura, CA<br />

29) Stephen Hodgeson............Associate, small animal practice, Moreno Valley, CA<br />

30) Daniel Jankovits ...............Internship, Animal Specialty Group, Los Angeles<br />

31) Roxanna Khorzad.............Internship-Angell Memorial, Boston, MA<br />

32) Terrance Krentz.................Internship-Bay Area <strong>Veterinary</strong> Specialists, San Leandro, CA<br />

33) Sara Lee.............................Undecided, Avian practice, Bay Area, Northern California<br />

34) Deena Leong......................Associate, small animal practice, Southern California<br />

35) Dennis Loveless ................Undecided at this time-eventually, equine practice in Hawaii<br />

36) Lucia Machine....................Associate, Brookswood <strong>Veterinary</strong> Hospital, Langley, BC, Canada<br />

37) Genevieve Mak.................Internship, California Animal Hospital, Los Angeles, CA<br />

38) Amy McGee.......................Associate, small animal/exotic practice-location unknown<br />

39) Dana Miller........................Undecided at this time<br />

40) Miranda Noseck................Internship, New England Equine Medical & Surgical Center, Dover, NH<br />

41) Carolyn Olech ....................Associate, small animal practice, Northern Virginia,<br />

42) Jeremy O’Neil...................Internship, Red Bank <strong>Veterinary</strong> Hospital, Tinton Falls, NJ<br />

NAME<br />

IMMEDIATE FUTURE PLAN<br />

43) Alayson Phelps .................Internship, Angell Memorial, Boston, MA<br />

44) Jill Pindar...........................Internship, Encina <strong>Veterinary</strong> Hospital, Walnut Creek, CA<br />

45) Beth Pintzow ....................Associate, Rolling Hills Animal Hospital, Rolling Hills, CA<br />

46) Mia Provost ......................Undecided at this time<br />

47) David Robertson...............Internship, equine theriogenolog, Arizona<br />

48) Kelly Robertson ................Associate, mixed practice, Jackson County Animal Clinic, Seymour, IN<br />

49) Erika Roldan......................Internship-Bay Area <strong>Veterinary</strong> Specialists, San Leandro, CA<br />

50) Sarah Sacco .......................Internship, VCA West LA, Los Angeles, CA<br />

51) Julia Schoellenbach ...........Undecided at this time-will be in the Temecula area, CA<br />

52) Jennifer Schmigdal............Associate, Banfield the Pet Hospital, Ontario, CA<br />

53) Gregory Shukhman...........Associate, Banfield Charter Hospital, San Bernardino, CA<br />

54) Jesse Sinkowski................Undecided, equine practice-Pacific Northwest<br />

55) Mary Siri............................Undecided, small animal practice, Santa Cruz, CA<br />

56) Meg Sislak.........................Internship-Equine practice, Virginia<br />

57) Andrea Smith ....................Associate, small animal practice, Sherman Oaks, CA<br />

58) Crystal Souza....................Associate, equine practice, Goldsby, OK<br />

59) Sara Stoll...........................Undecided at this time<br />

60) Lauren Swank ...................Associate, mixed practice, Cervids/exotic ho<strong>of</strong>stock, LA<br />

61) Colleen Tansey ..................Internship, So. California <strong>Veterinary</strong> Referral Group, Irvine, CA<br />

62) Melissa Thompson ............Associate, Wegert Scholar, Banfield, the Pet Hospital, Fontana<br />

63) Laura Tucker ......................Associate, Cheshire Cat Hospital, Westminster, CO<br />

64) Naomi Urbina ....................Associate, Banfield the Pet Hospital, San Diego, CA<br />

65) Sarah Vineyard.................Undecided, small animal practice, San Diego, CA<br />

66) Ann Vitti ............................Undecided, small animal practice, Southern California<br />

67) Kristin Wakamatsu...........Internship, So. California <strong>Veterinary</strong> Referral Group, Irvine, CA<br />

68) Sarah Whitol .....................Internship, VCA Sacramento, CA<br />

69) Jonathan Williams ............Associate, small animal practice, Portland, OR<br />

70) Connie Wu..........................Internship, So. California <strong>Veterinary</strong> Referral Group, Irvine, CA<br />

71) Tracy Yen ...........................Internship, VCA West LA, Los Angeles, CA<br />

Summary<br />

Associates.....................18/71 = 24%<br />

Banfield .........................8/71 = 11%<br />

Internships...................28/71 = 42%<br />

Residencies ....................3/71 = 4%<br />

Undecided ....................14/71 = 18%<br />

13


Always In Our Hearts: Stories from the WAVE Program<br />

Leah<br />

By Anna Pavlov, PhD<br />

Leah stood out in a crowd with her large frame,<br />

white fur, blue eyes and highly social nature.<br />

Unlike most cats who cower when the doorbell<br />

rings or someone new is over, Leah was right<br />

there, up close and personal! A friend and<br />

former neighbor who “cat sat” for me called her<br />

“the greeter.” I have many a picture <strong>of</strong> her on<br />

someone’s lap. Leah was fearless in many ways.<br />

I admired her sense <strong>of</strong> self-importance and “guts” to insert herself into situations. It always made me laugh to watch her.<br />

I would feel proud, too, that she busted cat stereotypes <strong>of</strong> alo<strong>of</strong>ness.<br />

On Leah’s last day with me, I had just returned from a conference. Leah was clearly not herself and appeared to have difficulty<br />

breathing. Dr. Postel was the wonderful veterinarian who examined her. She put Leah’s films up for viewing and showed us<br />

her midsection with organs not able to be visualized. She told us there was a large mass in her liver that had ruptured. That<br />

was very unusual for cats. The unusual part <strong>of</strong> Leah’s condition triggered my thought about “donating her body to science,”<br />

to veterinary students at <strong>Western</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong>. I knew Leah would want to be helpful and would enjoy being<br />

the center <strong>of</strong> attention, even in death. Saying goodbye to Leah was heart-wrenching. But I did not want her to suffer. I am just<br />

most grateful that she waited until I could get back home to take care <strong>of</strong> her and see her through. I have been so blessed to<br />

have had such an amazing cat in my life for 12 years.<br />

The Willed Body Program for <strong>Veterinary</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong>, WAVE<br />

THE COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE’S REVERENCE FOR LIFE COMMITMENT promises that animals will not be harmed in our teaching<br />

programs. A key element <strong>of</strong> this commitment is the WAVE (Willed deceased Animals for <strong>Veterinary</strong> Education) Program, which<br />

reaches out to animal owners to ask that they consider donating their beloved pets’ remains to anatomy and clinical skills<br />

education at the college (The WAVE Program is modeled after the Human Willed Body Program at <strong>Western</strong>U.) More than 500<br />

deceased animals have been donated to the college in the last two years.These special animals are providing a greater quality <strong>of</strong><br />

education to future generations <strong>of</strong> veterinarians.<br />

All donations to WAVE must be deceased due to age, serious illness or injury. An animal that has no owner to approve the<br />

donation <strong>of</strong> its remains will not be accepted.When you know that the death <strong>of</strong> your beloved pet might be imminent, and you live<br />

within 40 miles <strong>of</strong> the college, please ask your veterinarian about donating to WAVE. Your veterinarian may contact Ms.Tami Jones<br />

at (909) 469-5597 to make all arrangements.<br />

Always in Our Hearts: Stories from the WAVE Program appears as a regular feature in each issue <strong>of</strong> the Outlook.<br />

14


Reasons to name a seat:<br />

• Leave your permanent mark on <strong>Western</strong>U<br />

• Thank a loved one for their support and encouragement<br />

• Honor someone special<br />

• Pay tribute to a mentor, teacher, or other individual who has<br />

inspired you<br />

REMEMBERING THE FOUNDERS OF THE COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE AT WESTERN UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES<br />

For the first time in its history, the <strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Veterinary</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong> is “naming” chairs<br />

in the auditorium <strong>of</strong> its new building in support <strong>of</strong> the <strong>College</strong> and the <strong>University</strong><br />

Growth Fund.<br />

You are invited to join President Philip Pumerantz, Dean Phillip Nelson, Founding<br />

Dean Shirley Johnston and many CVM faculty and alumni, and purchase a seat in<br />

the 130 chair auditorium that will memorialize your support <strong>of</strong> the college.<br />

This <strong>of</strong>fer is being extended to everyone who has helped our new college succeed.<br />

Friends <strong>of</strong> the college may make a naming gift in honor <strong>of</strong> a loved one or loved pet.<br />

Naming plaques can accommodate three lines <strong>of</strong> text, at 35 characters (including<br />

spaces) per line. Chairs may be purchased for $1,000 or $500 each, and paid by<br />

cash, check, credit card, or partial payments over the course <strong>of</strong> a year.<br />

Please contact Susan Terrazas at 706-469-3476 or sterrazas@westernu.edu to<br />

reserve your chair.<br />

Remember the <strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Veterinary</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong> as we will remember you.<br />

C V M<br />

C a l e n d a r<br />

♥<br />

August 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . First day <strong>of</strong> Orientation Week<br />

August 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Convocation and White Coat Ceremony,<br />

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Gregory Hammer, AVMA President, Keynote Speaker<br />

August 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . First day <strong>of</strong> Class, Fall Semester, 2008 – 2009<br />

October 6 – 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Examination Week<br />

November 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A Tribute to Caring<br />

November 27 – 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thanksgiving Holiday<br />

December 15 – 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Examination Week<br />

December 22 – January 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Winter Recess<br />

January 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . First day <strong>of</strong> Class, Spring Semester, 2008 – 2009<br />

March 2 – 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Examination Week<br />

March 9 – 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Spring Break<br />

May 11 – 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Examination Week<br />

May 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Commencement<br />

15


MISSION STATEMENT:<br />

THE COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE is committed to serving society<br />

and animals through the preparation <strong>of</strong> students for the practice <strong>of</strong> veterinary<br />

medicine, veterinary public health and/or veterinary research in an educational program<br />

<strong>of</strong> self-directed learning, reverence for life and clinical education through strategic partnerships.<br />

Instruction and clinical opportunities are provided in a wide variety <strong>of</strong> domestic species, including food animal,<br />

equine, and companion animals. The college sustains a vibrant diverse faculty by encouraging advancement through<br />

personal and pr<strong>of</strong>essional development and research. This creates an environment <strong>of</strong> competent, caring, ethical pr<strong>of</strong>essionals,<br />

where cooperative learning, public service and scholarship can flourish. ♥<br />

6592-6/08-P<br />

Non-Pr<strong>of</strong>it Org.<br />

U.S. Postage<br />

PAID<br />

Permit No. 465<br />

San Dimas, CA 91773<br />

<strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Veterinary</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong><br />

309 E. Second St.<br />

Pomona, Calif. 91766-1854

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