The Department of Animal Sciences in the College of Agricultural Sciences and the Department of Biomedical Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University are sponsoring the 13th Annual Northwest Reproductive Sciences Symposium in Corvallis on May 13 and 14. This meeting is a forum for oral and poster presentations on recent findings from investigators at Oregon State University, the Center for Reproductive Biology at Washington State University, and Oregon Health & Sciences University and Oregon National Primate Research Center. Friday’s portion of the meeting will be held at the McKenzie Center at the Salbasgeon Suites, 1730 NW 9th Street, and on Saturday morning the meeting will resume in 102 Magruder Hall in the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Student case/research presentation competition at the AABP
May 9th, 2011
Kim, Justin and Elisha
Three out of four submitted abstracts have been accepted for the Student Case/Research Presentation Competition in September at the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) in St. Louis, Mo. Assistant Professor Dr. Aurora Villarroel said, “This is a huge deal because only ten abstracts are accepted every year from all 34 veterinary schools in the United States and Canada, and we got 30% of the slots! Additionally, I was personally congratulated by AABP for the quality of the submissions, since all of them are my advisees for their senior paper projects.”
Great weather for Ride the Heart of the Valley
April 25th, 2011
The sunny weather on Saturday was perfect for a bike ride, which worked out perfectly for SCAVMA’s Ride the Heart of the Valley third annual fundraiser. The fundraiser this year was very successful, drawing in 59 participants, 14 more than last year. In addition, there were more community members who joined the ride this year, achieving one of the goals that was set for this year’s ride.
Not only did the event draw in more participants, but over $2200 was raised for OSU’s Olive K. Britt Endowment for Emergency Animal Care and the Benton County Health Center, which was over twice as much as last year. Donations were from participants, private donations from community members and local businesses. A Kindle and a $25 Amazon Kindle Gift certificate—donated by Brian and Lisa Schneider, Valley Insurance Professionals, the new AVMA GHLIT Representatives—was won by Angela Schlenker for raising the most money for the event.
The ride was successful and enjoyable. The weather was sunny and the beautiful scenery along the river and through some of Corvallis’s parks was appreciated. Prior to the ride, participants were provided with free bike tune-ups, courtesy of Peak Sports. After the ride, cyclists had access to many brochures on nutrition and fitness, fulfilling the One Health challenge goal of promoting obesity awareness. Lastly, participants were entertained with music from DJ Brrd, a local DJ, and enjoyed Vietnamese sandwiches, chips, and cookies.
“The ride was a lot of work but also a lot of fun. I look forward to seeing what more we can bring to the event next year,” said Leslie Dunham, a second-year student on the RHV Planning Committee. Seeing that the event was so successful this year, hopes are high for next year’s Ride the Heart of the Valley.
Pet Day is Saturday!
April 25th, 2011Pet Day is right around the corner! We really look forward to seeing you all there. Please join us for the Fun Run; pre-registration is available through today. If you miss pre-registration you can register all the way up to the morning of the race.
We are always looking for volunteers; if you or a family member would like to help out, please email us at petdaycochairs@gmail.com.
If you have a canopy you would allow us to use for the day of the event, we would really appreciate it (email at the above address).
For more information on Pet Day, check out our website.
Melissa Flora and Leslie Nies, Class of 2013
Jaci Abbatantono and Megan Hornby, Class of 2014
IVSA holds ‘One Health, One World’ Service Symposium
April 25th, 2011
Sara Livesay (Class of 2013), Steen Smith (Class of 2014), and Sami Pederson (Class of 2013) at IVSA’s ‘One Health One World’ Service Symposium.
The Oregon International Veterinary Students’ Association’s (IVSA) first ‘One Health, One World Service’ Symposium was held April 8–April 10. The goal of the symposium was to promote the value of health professionals and students in international service, emphasizing how human and animal health are intimately connected. The symposium was an excellent opportunity for students to learn about service opportunities worldwide involving veterinary medicine and the promotion of public health.
The event began with a “Language Dinner” Friday night during which Dean Cyril Clarke began the symposium with a talk on the One World-One Medicine-One Health initiative and on preparing veterinarians for global service. During the evening, students had the opportunity to learn about the culture of several nations, including Mexico, Germany, Israel, South Africa and Brazil. Common phrases and customs were discussed with an OSU CVM community member that acted as a representative from each country. Read the rest of this entry »
MacVicar Scholar Award Lecture
April 25th, 2011
Can an invasive disease modify the dynamics of a native infection? Specifically, does bovine tuberculosis (BTB), modify the dynamics of a native infection, Rift Valley Fever (RVF), in African buffalo?
Dr. Brianna Beechler, a PhD student in the Jolles lab in Biomedical Sciences and 2010 recipient of the MacVicar Scholar Award, presented an update on her current research in Kruger National Park in South Africa. Data collected by Dr. Beechler’s team has shown that Rift Valley Fever infection is more common in BTB positive buffalo, but only in older buffalo. Bovine tuberculosis is an immunosuppressive infection; thus, Dr. Beechler’s hypothesis is that buffalo with a suppressed micro-parasite immune response due to BTB are more likely to become susceptible to Rift Valley Fever. The resulting potential increase in infection is not just a concern for buffalo. Many wild animals, livestock, and humans can contract Rift Valley Fever. Especially susceptible are pregnant ewes with resulting abortion rates as high as 90%.
The lecture is named for former OSU President Robert MacVicar and his wife, Clarice, who established the award in 1996 to support interdisciplinary research and education programs in animal health.
