Vet Gazette

The Biomedical Sciences department at CVM has a history of collaboration with researchers across campus in fields as varied as engineering, pharmacy, and public health. On February 10th, the OSU Division of Health Sciences held a seminar inviting scientists to describe their work with a goal of creating even more opportunities for sharing resources and ideas.

CVM researcher Dr. Patrick Chappell spoke about his work on the biological clock’s effect on reproduction and cancer; Dr. Jennifer Warnock, small animal orthopedic surgeon, spoke about mensical tissue engineering; and Dr. Jan Medlock described his work using mathematical models to optimize vaccine allocation.

Dr. Natalia Shulzhenko was interested to learn that Dr. Russel Turner, Professor of Public Health, is working with mast cells. “Mast cells are immune cells and, among other things, have shown to be important in Type 2 Diabetes, which I study,” she said.

In addition to getting a good overview of ongoing research in the Division of Health Sciences, Dr. Stephen Ramsey, Assistant Professor in Veterinary Medicine and Engineering, made some useful contacts at the Linus Pauling Institute (LPI). “I connected with Balz Frei at LPI, and he suggested several LPI faculty whose research areas could potentially connect with mine,” he said. “We have planned for me to give a seminar at LPI sometime this year.”

Dr. Rosita Rodriguez Proteau is the new pharmacist at the OSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital. She received her pharmacy degree and Ph.D. degree in Pharmacology/Toxicology from the University of Texas at Austin and has worked in the OSU College of Pharmacy as an Associate Professor for the past 17 years.

Dr. Proteau has taught pharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics in the College of Pharmacy’s professional program and toxicokinetics in the Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology.

Over the years, Dr. Proteau has collaborated with many investigators on campus in various pharmacokinetic studies in a variety of species.  Here at CVM, she will assist Dr. Brian Bowers in setting up a 797 sterile drug room such that the Veterinary Hospital Pharmacy can expand the options for compounded drugs.

Dr. Proteau will continue to teach in the College of Pharmacy by offering Advanced Compounding and Veterinary Pharmacy electives to the Pharm.D. students.  In her spare time, she enjoys spending time on the coast and traveling.

Kathleen Kraska, Ashley Robinson, Brian Rensema, Patrick Kamins, Sean Brady, Sami Pederson, Leslie Dunham, and Matt Evans

Last week, more than 100 CVM alumni, students, faculty, and friends gathered at the Buca di Beppo lounge in Las Vegas for food, drinks, and memories. Hosted by retired Student Services Coordinator, Patrick Kamins, the event provided a great place to connect with fellow Beavers attending the Western Veterinary Conference. The CVM gang packed a room reserved for 50 people and kept the waiters hopping. “Wow, what a great turnout,” said Doug McInnis, Class of 1987. “I have been to several in the past and this one was over the top on attendance. What an awesome event.” CVM Development Director, Kelley Marchbanks, presided over prize drawings for CVM swag. “It was a good time. We’ll be back next year . . . in a larger room,” she said. You can see more photos of the event on the CVM Facebook page.

Suzie Chase is the new Administrative Program Assistant and Events Coordinator at CVM. Suzie moved to Corvallis from Boston, Massachusetts and holds a BA in History from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and an MS in Higher Education Administration and Enrollment Management from Bay Path College.

Before joining CVM, Suzie worked at Harvard Medical School for five years, in both admissions and faculty development events. Her main interests in higher education are admissions, international program advising, and events planning.

When she’s not working, Suzie enjoys traveling, reading, and trying to convince her husband, Mike, to never shave his beard.

Student Robyn Thompson feeds critical colostrum to a newborn
rescue alpaca who was underweight and unable to nurse.

The OSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital is caring for 175 alpacas that were rescued from a farm in Polk County, Oregon. Most of the alpacas are underweight but in decent condition; they are housed at the west edge of campus near the fairgrounds and are eating like crazy. About fifteen alpacas with health issues are housed in the hospital, including 3 crias, two who were born shortly after their mothers arrived at OSU last week. One of the crias was premature due to his mother’s health, and weighed only 10 pounds at birth, but he is eating well and growing fast. Students named him Elliot Thomas because his tiny face and big eyes make him look like E.T.

Dr. Chris Cebra, OSU large animal veterinarian, is working to identify healthy alpacas that are ready for adoption. He is hoping they can go to new homes within the week. “Going to a family who can take good care of them is the best thing for them,” he says. Cross Creek Alpaca Rescue is handling the adoptions.

The sick, weak, and newborn alpacas will stay at the hospital until Dr. Cebra is sure they are healthy and thriving. Their care and feeding is costing the hospital over $1,000 per day according the hospital director Dr. Helio deMorais. If you would like to help with the care of Elliot Thomas and the other alpaca babies, please donate here:

The OSU-WSU combined class of 1984 is planning a reunion in Kauai, the weekend of August 16, 2014. Contact Craig Nishimoto,  pacvet@aloha.net, for details, or see our Facebook page: WSU/OSU Vet Class of 1984: https://www.facebook.com/wsuvet1984.