Kansas State University

College of Veterinary Medicine hosts annual Phi Zeta Research Day

Submitted by Joe Montgomery

Phi Zeta Research Day represents an opportunity for the College of Veterinary Medicine community to come together and share the latest research in all fields of basic, applied and clinical sciences. Celebrated March 1, this year's event continued with last year's hybrid format and combined in-person attendance with a virtual component.

The event is organized by the Sigma Chapter of the Society of Phi Zeta, a professional honors society whose name is based on the Latin word philozoi, which means "love for animals." The chapter's mission is to recognize and promote excellence in academic scholarship and research that improves the health and welfare of animals.

Phi Zeta Research Day began with a virtual keynote address by Sara Thomasy, professor in the surgical and radiological sciences department in the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis. Thomasy is a core scientist at the California National Primate Research Center and co-runs a large, interdisciplinary vision science laboratory with Christopher Murphy and Paul Russell. Her keynote address was titled "Novel treatments for corneal endothelial disease."

"Dr. Thomasy delivered a fascinating presentation on corneal endothelial disease that highlighted cutting-edge medical and surgical treatment options currently available in both veterinary and human medicine," said Jessica Meekins, associate professor in ophthalmology and president of Phi Zeta. "The audience was captivated, and we were truly honored to host such a talented researcher and clinician as our keynote speaker."

The keynote was followed by oral research presentations, and a poster session by veterinary, graduate and postgraduate researchers within the College of Veterinary Medicine. Evening refreshments and a recognition and awards ceremony followed.

Award and scholarship recipients awarded at Phi Zeta Research Day included:

Basic Science — oral presentations

• First place — Jayden McCall, fourth-year veterinary student, for "Identification of protective antigens from African Swine Fever Virus proteome."
• Second place — Konner Cool, doctoral student in pathobiology, for "SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission in adult white-tailed deer."
• Third place — Kamilyah Miller, doctoral student in pathobiology, for "Detection of Trypanosoma cruzi in raccoons and triatomes in northeast Kansas."

Applied/Clinical Science, Small animal/exotics — oral presentations

• First place — Mackenzie Gray, fourth-year veterinary student, for "Improving the clinical efficacy of butorphanol for analgesia in dogs."
• Second place — Angela Thompson-Butler, third-year veterinary student, for "Renal and cardiac effects of diltiazem continuous infusion in healthy dogs."
• Third place — Poyu "Tony" Lai, fourth-year veterinary student, for "Elective ovariohysterectomy or castration can proceed in shelter dogs despite mild to moderate presurgical leukocytosis."

Applied/Clinical Science, Large Animals — oral presentations

• First place — Conrad Schelkopf, third-year veterinary student, for "Comparison of three diagnostic tools for detection of ketosis in early lactation dairy cows."
• Second place — Anne Lovett, master’s student in biomedical sciences, for "Acute anaplasmosis reduces breeding soundness in experimentally infected beef bulls."
• Third place — Lucas Horton, doctoral student in pathobiology, for "An evaluation of metaphylaxis for bovine respiratory disease in medium-risk feedlot calves and outcomes impacting antimicrobial use."

Basic Science — poster presentations

• First place — Trey Tomlinson, third-year veterinary student, for "Surveillance of Borrelia burgdorferi in white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) in Pennsylvania."
• Second place — Chester McDowell, doctoral student in pathobiology, for "Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 strain competition in co-infected adult white-tailed deer."
• Third place — Nicole Robben, third-year veterinary student, for "Effect of mosquito salivary proteins on human endothelial physiology."

Applied/Clinical Science — poster presentations

• First place — Joel Nelson, fourth-year veterinary student, for "Effects of steroid implants and differing tall fescue endophyte (Acremonium coenophialum) levels on cattle."
• Second place — Harith Salih, doctoral student in pathobiology, for "Evaluation of antimicrobial activities of phytophenols against liver abscess causing pathogens in feedlot cattle."
• Third place — Darby Toth, intern, small animal medicine and surgery, for "Association between hypercalcemia and iliosacral lymph node metastasis in dogs diagnosed with anal sac Adenocarcinoma."

Benjamin and Catherine Kurz Research Scholarship: Jingwen Peng, third-year veterinary student.

Miller Pathology Scholarship Award: Zixuan Wang, fourth-year veterinary student.

A.S.R. Ganta Graduate Award: Pratiksha Khanal, doctoral student in pathobiology.

A.S.R. Ganta Veterinary Student Award: Cheyenne Brown and Shanice Harris, fourth-year veterinary students.

Dr. Harish C. and Ved K. Minocha Scholarship: Theresa Quintana and Cheyenne Brunkow, master’s students in public health, and Huldah Sang, doctoral student in pathobiology.

Zoetis Research Award for Excellence in Research by a Faculty Member: Waithaka Mwangi, professor in diagnostic medicine and pathobiology.