What You Might Have Missed This Summer

Catch up on our biggest CVM stories and campus news from May through August 2024.

Happy first day of class! We hope the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine community is excited for the beginning of the academic year.

As we dive into the new year, let’s take a look at some of the biggest stories from around the CVM that you might have missed this summer. Although campus is much quieter while students are away from the classroom, our community makes strides in patient care and groundbreaking research year-round.

The Headlines

Critically Endangered Red Wolf Pups Join NC State’s Pack

The number of critically endangered red wolves cared for on the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine campus jumped over Mother’s Day Weekend when breeding pair Penny and Jewell produced precious puppies.

Mentorship Program Pairing Alumni with Students Already Changing Lives

A pilot mentorship program has been a rousing success at the college, connecting more than current students with alumni mentors for learning, laughing and critical relationship-building.

Research is a critical component of the new strategic plan

The Human Connection

At the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, we conduct research that leads to healing across the animal-human bond. ‘Bench to bedside’ takes a unique form on our campus, where advancements bridging veterinary research and human health care can span ‘barn to bedside’ or ‘farm to table.’

Dr. Natasha Olby is world-renowned for her research into aging dogs.

Next Step for NC State’s Pioneering Geroscience Research: A Center for Healthy Aging

Dr. Natasha Olby, a world-renowned researcher in the aging of the canine nervous system, will lead the collaborative center that aims to deepen research on how dogs age while bettering medicine’s understanding of human aging.

Powering Breakthroughs to Treat Cancers

Dr. Mike Sano is harnessing the power of electricity to target and destroy inoperable cancer in a therapy that eliminated 80% of tumors in a recent clinical trial with horses.

NC State’s Dual DVM/Ph.D. Program Ups the Ante on Life-Changing Research

Between 30 and 35 students typically apply each year, and only two exceptional students with extensive research backgrounds and proven leadership skills are admitted to gain veterinary expertise while seeking scientific answers.

The College of Veterinary Medicine welcomed two new department chairs this summer. Dr. Kaori Sakamoto, a passionate mentor and teacher who has been recognized numerous times for her teaching and leadership skills, is leading the Department of Population Health and Pathobiology. Dr. Jan Hawkins, who built a career specializing in equine upper respiratory tract disorders and expanding the use of lasers in large animal surgery, is the new chair of the Department of Clinical Sciences. Both Sakamoto and Hawkins are alumni of the college.
The college has welcomed 11 new faculty members since May:
- Amol Suryawanshi — Immunology
- Amit Sharma — Virology
- Yea Ji Jeong — Cancer and pathology
- Jiwoong Her — Critical care and nephrology
- Jennine Lection — Theriogenology
- Erik Lai — Radiation oncology
- Autumn Harris — Nephrology
- Maria Ferrer — Theriogenology
- Jian Zhang — Drug development
- Neil McCarthy — Gastrointestinal biology
- Andy Moorhead — Parasitology
Dr. Laura Nelson, who had served as an associate professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences and associate dean and director of academic affairs in the College of Veterinary Medicine since 2017, was named the new associate vice provost for academic personnel and policy for NC State.
Dr. Kelly Meiklejohn, an associate professor of forensic science in the Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, joined Dr. Matthew Breen, professor of Genomics and the Oscar J. Fletcher Distinguished Professor of Comparative Oncology Genetics, as a member of NC State’s Faculty Senate. Meiklejohn said she’s excited to be a voice for the issues that impact the CVM.
Dr. April Kedrowicz has been named the College of Veterinary Medicine’s newest secretary of the faculty. In her new role, the associate professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences will preside over annual faculty meetings and serve as the chief advocate for the college’s faculty members. “I view serving in this role as another opportunity to contribute to the academic community by guiding the college faculty as they engage in important conversations, problem-solving and decision-making in matters related to academic policy,” Kedrowicz said.
Dr. Jeff Yoder, who was previously a professor of innate immunology in the Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, was named the executive director of NC State’s Genetics and Genomics Academy. Yoder will work as part of a team of interdisciplinary leaders within the Office of University Interdisciplinary Programs.
After more than a decade at the CVM, Megan Jacob accepted a new role as senior associate dean of administration at NC State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Jacob will lead critical processes in CALS, including budget planning, faculty promotion and tenure, and strategic plan execution.

Trainee Experiences

Just because classes were out of session this summer doesn’t mean our trainees weren’t busy learning. Whether it was participating in externships across the country, conducting research in our labs or providing life-saving clinical care as house officers, our trainees spent the summer improving their skills and serving our state.

Rural Scholars Take North Carolina’s Livestock Veterinarian Shortage by the Horns (and Hooves)

An NC State College of Veterinary Medicine program debuting this summer pairs vet students with livestock veterinarians in rural areas of North Carolina to build students’ skills, create connections and address a statewide care deficit.

map of the United States showing where our From the Field students are headed this summer

From the Field: Read Dispatches from Students Sharing Their Summers

Students at the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine have access to all kinds of internships, externships and research experiences during their four years of school. This summer, six students shared some of what they’ve been doing and learning.

A male veterinary student smiles at two of his mentors, who are looking at slides in a pathology lab.

Equine Colic, Coastal Microplastics and So Much More: Summer Research Program Sees Record Participation and New Projects

The College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Scholars Program offers DVM students with little lab experience a paid opportunity to pursue their research interests under faculty mentorship.

Cardiology is a Work of Heart for Resident Who Adopted Former Patient

Third-year cardiology resident Dr. Seth Bowden has been both the veterinarian and client for the same patient at the NC State Veterinary Hospital, giving him a unique perspective on cardiac care.

Her Workplace is a Zoo — and an Exotic Animal Clinic and Several Aquariums

As an NC State zoological medicine resident, Dr. Lauren Mumm helps in healing thousands of exotic and aquatic animals across North Carolina while researching improvements for these creatures’ care.

Army Veterinarian Sees Animals at Their Worst to Help Them Feel Their Best

Dr. Candace Wimbish, an Army major and third-year emergency and critical care resident at the NC State Veterinary Hospital, keeps a cool head while providing life-saving care to beloved pets.

Dr. Joshua Stern, associate dean for research and graduate studies at the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, received the 2024 American Veterinary Medical Foundation’s Career Achievement in Feline Research Award. The award recognizes an American Veterinary Medication Association member for long-time commitment to feline health through research.
An NC State College of Veterinary Medicine outreach program designed to help undergraduate students dreaming of admission to the college see a more concrete path won a national award for highlighting higher education avenues into STEM careers. “See You at the CVM!” drew nearly 50 students from Duke University, UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State, UNC-Pembroke, NC Central and NC A&T State to the veterinary college campus in December.
Health and Wellness Center Technician Supervisor Jeannie Losey was named the 2024 Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians’ Mentor of the Year. The national award celebrates mentors who have done an outstanding job providing mentorship to Veterinary Technician Specialist candidates and Veterinary Technician Specialist graduates.
Mitsu Suyemoto, a research specialist in the Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, was honored as one of 12 university-wide winners of the Award of Excellence. The award is the most prestigious honor bestowed upon nonfaculty employees at NC State. The award recognizes employees in seven categories for outstanding accomplishments and contributions that go above and beyond their job responsibilities.
Dr. Rocio Crespo received the American Association of Avian Pathologists’ Excellence in Mentorship Award. The Huvepharma Excellence in Mentorship Award recognizes a member of the American Association of Avian Pathologists who demonstrates a passion for mentoring students and fellow colleagues.
Dr. Ravi Kulkarni was the recipient of the American Association of Avian Pathologists’ New Investigator Award. The Bayer-Snoeyenbos New Investigator Award is given to a member or associate member of the association whose career as an independent investigator in poultry medicine began less than seven years ago and who has made meritorious research contributions to the avian field.

Gear Up for the New Year

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