As a photo of black cattle, grazing against a prison fence appeared on the screen, Mercadante Vitor implored the public: “Lift your hand if you went to prison.”
Laughter has transformed into curiosity as an associate professor of production management medicine explained how Hokie veterinarians and prisoners now help direct the largest teaching and research herd by Virginia – generating millions in the state and offering students unmatched training.
Stories like Mercadante, as well as 70 other projects with an impact on public health, animal welfare and rural economies, demonstrate that when funding is uncertain, science has even more important.
This intersection of veterinary medicine and social impact set the tone for the 34th Annual Symposium for Research on Biomedical and Veterinarians At the Auberge de Virginia Tech and the Skelton Conference Center.
Researchers, clinicians and scientific students gathered to present discoveries that go beyond the laboratory – the science that directly serves the communities, the animals and the people who take care of them.
Dan GivensDean du Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicinesupervised the mission of the day in its opening remarks. “The general public really wants information that has an impact, it’s solid, which is applicable,” he said. “We have to question ourselves. We have to get things done so that we can maintain the value and validity of research.”
Her words define the backdrop for a symposium where science does not only exist – it serves.
Serving communities
Sophie WenzelDeputy professor of practice in the Department of Health Sciences of the Population, showed powerful quotes of incarcerated women: “I had no work, nowhere to go” and “when they lock people, they do not realize – I mean, the outside world is screwed up with their heads, but they do not realize what it does. They never need to think that it is not a type of rehabilitation
“It’s not just inmates,” said Wenzel. “These are women who have had a lot of very bad things that happened to them.”
His community -based research started when women from the New River Valley regional prison spontaneously started to share their stories with healthy educators, revealing models connecting trauma, drug addiction and imprisonment.
“All had that incredible feeling of hope,” said Wenzel. “This desire for their children – I am a mom and I love my children. These women had the same desire.”
Rather than publishing only in university journals, Wenzel’s team has created an accessible booklet for local back -to -school advice and other service providers.
Later, Alasdair CohenAssistant professor of environmental epidemiology, has shown how wastewater monitoring reveals hidden health threats. His cards were lit with hepatitis clusters detected before treatment factories – traditional surveillance infections may have failed.
“The potential advantages in rural areas are enormous,” said Cohen. “Local health districts cannot tackle what they don’t know.”
Discovery Service
Kirsten NielsenProfessor of microbiology and immunology, presented fungal threats with a harsh reality: “The World Health Organization has recognized Cryptococcus as the most critical fungal pathogen. We only have five drugs to treat fungal infections, and most do not work against this organization.”
The innovative approach to its laboratory is to reuse existing livestock drugs using nanoparticles technology to overcome current treatment.
“We optimize treatments and explore other applications for this nanoparticles technology,” said Nielsen. “This opens up possibilities for several fungal pathogens with limited treatment options.”
Kaylee Petraccione, a doctorate. The student of the biomedical and veterinary science program described the autophagy as “our cellular waste process” being diverted by viruses like COVID-19 and Rift Valley Fever.
“The viruses enter our body and say:” Stop-you are not going to break down “,” she said. “They prevent these cellular waste bags from closing, allowing viruses to continue to reply.”
Petraccione said that “her absolute dream was going to the places where these viruses really affect people and working with human samples – to see if what we observe in cells results in humans”.
Serve animal care
Janice O’Brien, also a doctorate. The student in biomedical and veterinary sciences presented this statistic: only 6% of homemade dog diets provide complete nutrition.
“These people intend to do the right thing,” said O’Brien. “They make additional efforts to feed their pets as best they can. But the available recipes are simply not correct.”
His advice was clear: “If you want to create a home prepared diet, use a recipe for a veterinary nutritionist and add the right vitamins. If your dog has a state of health, get an individual consultation.”
Richard ShinnDeputy Professor of Neurology, has demonstrated an algorithm that could transform treatment decisions for paralyzed dogs. Current surgery offers only a 50/50 prognosis, but the SHINN MRI tool aims to increase the 95%certainty.
“While dogs live longer, they suffer from more neurological diseases,” said Shinn, “including cognitive dysfunction similar to Alzheimer’s disease.”
Later, Mercadante detailed the penitentiary agricultural partnership of the veterinary hospital which generates $ 3 million per year while offering practical training possibilities and professional skills for prisoners.
“It’s more than a research resource,” said Mercadante. “It is teaching, awareness and economic development – suddenly.”
From laboratory to life
The afternoon posters presented more than 70 presentations covering several disciplines. Christina Vezza, resident in chief neurology and a graduate student in biomedical and veterinary sciences, shared her research on historiations – a targeted ultrasound technique – for canine brain tumors.
“We applied history to the brain tumor, then measure the immune response,” said Vezza. “Our pilot study has shown that the application of Histripsis to Ablate Canine Meningiomes was clinically possible and well tolerated.”
The engineers develop a more friendly portable probe for the next phase. “If successful, we hope to translate this into human brain tumors,” said Vezza.
Gabriela Sousa, a resident of Theriogery, studied molecular changes during canine birth, noting that “parturition is an inflammatory process that triggers pro-inflammatory cytokines”, “potentially opening new avenues to manage difficult deliveries.
“I receive an overview of each question on my poster,” said Sousa. “People ask big questions that give me new ideas for my research management.”
Building experts from tomorrow
As awards have been presented to the best presentations, the day has demonstrated a fundamental truth about the approach of the veterinary college: discoveries here are rarely in a way. They move between laboratory results and real world applications, creating knowledge that directly serves animals, people and communities they share.
“Research without limits is not only a slogan, it is a declaration of values,” said AUDREY RUPLEDirector of the Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences Higher Studies Program. “Today, we have seen how science can serve public health, stimulate laboratory discovery and improve animal care.”
The discoveries presented did not end with the publication. The next day, the teachers and the students met again, this time with a doctorate. The candidates connecting to the alumni has now shaped biotechnology, the academic world and clinical practice during the very first day of BMVS professional development.
“From the bench to the bedside at La Grange – and vice versa,” said Ruple. “It is the discovery trip to Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.”
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