University Facts & Figures - Virginia Tech

Student/Student Group AchieversKayvon Izadpanah, of Sterling, Va., and a recent graduate in biological sciences and biochemistry withminors in international studies, medicine and society, and chemistry, and Carly Stephens, of Centreville,Va., a recent graduate in biological sciences with a minor in Spanish, were selected as the 2012 VirginiaTech Man and Woman of the Year.Virginia-Maryland Regional College Of Veterinary MedicineNoted Accomplishments/HonorsThe Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM), in collaboration with theVirginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, launched a new master of public health program in responseto a critical shortage of trained public health professionals. The program, which offers concentrations inpublic health education and infectious disease, integrates and expands public health opportunities at theuniversity.One of the most common causes of lameness in horses — an injury to tendons or ligaments — can nowbe treated at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center with platelet rich plasma (PRP). PRP isderived from blood that is drawn from an equine patient and run through a centrifuge, which separates asolution’s less-dense components from its heavier ones.For the past several years, Dr. Elankumaran Subbiah, assistant professor in the Department ofBiomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, and a team of researchers from the college have conductedinnovative research to develop a treatment for cancer. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) andthe Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program of the Department of Defense have providedmajor funding for Subbiah’s work, which focuses on creating a cancer therapy from genetically alteredNewcastle disease virus. This innovative work will continue thanks to a pledge from Robert Garst inmemory of his wife, Maria, who died from cancer. The Maria Garst Memorial Fund for Cancer Researchwill enable Dr. John Rossmeisl, an associate professor in the Department of Small Animal ClinicalSciences, to take Subbiah’s work on brain tumors from the research laboratory into the clinical setting.In response to an increased need for qualified veterinarians in North America, particularly those inthe public sector, the first-year class size has been increased. In addition, the new Veterinary MedicineInstructional Addition includes a state-of-the-art clinical techniques laboratory, as well as small groupteaching spaces and faculty offices.The Center for Public and Corporate Veterinary Medicine has partnered with the U.S. Animal HealthAssociation to create mentoring, education, and networking opportunities for veterinarians andveterinary students. In response to increased demands for veterinarians in the public sector, the center isworking to expand activities in the areas of public health, public policy, international veterinary medicine,organizational leadership, and the One Health Initiative.Outstanding FacultyDr. Ansar Ahmed, professor of immunology and head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences andPathobiology, completed research on a new, nonradioactive alternative to determining the proliferation oflymphocytes. The paper he authored on his research surpassed 500 citations in the citation index ISI Webof Science, a prestigious honor earned by few in the field of life sciences.Dr. Jennifer Barrett, assistant professor of surgery at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, wasselected to serve on the Founders’ Committee for the North American Regenerative Society.Dr. Sandra Diaz, assistant professor of dermatology in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences,achieved diplomate status with the American College of Veterinary Dermatology.2012-13 University Facts & Figures 37