06-04-12
June 4, 2012
CVM NewsCalendar is a biweekly newsletter for faculty, staff, and students of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Please submit news and calendar items to Sue Kirchoff, editor, at kirchoff@umn.edu by noon the Friday before publication.
In this issue - College news
- Education Day explores active learning, teaching the art of science, and more
- Global land grant mission, "one medicine, one science" discussed at research retreat
- Food Policy Research Center launched
- Chronic wasting disease found in a farmed red deer from Ramsey County
- Study finds modern dog breeds are genetically disconnected from ancient ancestors
- Veterinary Student Supply summer hours underway
- June 7 forum will explore food safety
- Global One Health Fund seeks proposals
- CVM Web traffic report: May 2012
- Faculty and staff news
- Robert Washabau's new gastroenterology textbook debuts at ACVIM Forum
- Sue Lowum cited in "Expert Alert"
- Welcome to the College
- Longtime employees to be honored at Eastcliff
- In the news
- Wolf pup surgery at VMC
- Bald eagle helped by The Raptor Center
- Calendar
- Clinical Investigation Center
- Needs a home
- Micetro, a feline blood donor
- Links
Education Day explores active learning, teaching the art of science, and more
The College's annual Education Day, held at the Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center on May 30, included a poster session, sequential seminars, an awards ceremony, and a plenary session. Speakers included— - Nathan Kuncel, Marvin D. Dunnette Distinguished Professor, Department of Psychology ("Evidence-Based Predictors of Student Performance: Selection and Development of Critical Thinking, Interpersonal, and Professional Skills")
- Cristina Lopez, associate education specialist, Office of Information Technology ("Start Small or Go Big: Engaging Students with Technology")
- Mike Murtaugh, director of the comparative and molecular biosciences graduate program, College of Veterinary Medicine ("Teaching the Art of Science")
- Robin Wright, associate dean, College of Biological Sciences ("Start Where You Are: Incorporating Active Learning into Your Lectures")
Education Day also included the presentation of awards to faculty and staff who demonstrate excellence in education. The awards included the Pfizer Distinguished Teacher Award, which was presented to Dr. Robert Porter, clinical specialist, Veterinary Population Medicine Department. See a complete list of award recipients.
See photos from Education Day
Global land grant mission, 'one medicine, one science' discussed at research retreatAt the College's annual Research Retreat at the Cargill Building on May 22, CVM faculty and staff discussed the College's global land grant research mission, the concept of "one medicine, one science," and more. Breakout sessions on building sustainable international research programs, partnerships, translational research, fundraising, core resources, and research infrastructure resulted in several important and actionable ideas, says Dr. Srirama Rao, associate dean for research. Many of these suggestions build upon previously identified goals and objectives of the strategic plan for research and will continue to guide the College’s research initiatives.
Food Policy Research Center launched Faculty and staff members of four University of Minnesota schools and colleges have joined forces to create an all-university Food Policy Research Center (FPRC). The effort is designed to provide policymakers and consumers a better, more complete and holistic view of food policy options through the examination of scientific data and policy information. Led by Dr. Will Hueston, professor and Global Initiative for Food Systems Leadership endowed chair, the FPRC is comprised of food policy subject matter experts from the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and School of Public Health.
“Analysts tend to look at food policy from one angle—the angle that represents their individual expertise—and it’s hard to see anything else,” Hueston says. “As integrated policy research teams, we’ll be working together from all sides to form a more holistic review of food and nutrition policy.”
The primary goal of the FPRC is to better inform policymakers and consumers of the effects and trade-offs associated with local and national food policy, including legislation and regulations. Pulling together current science and expertise from across the University will allow the FPRC to help inform and develop a more robust analysis of policy, while strengthening educational programs related to food and nutrition policy.
“We want to impact policymakers at the Capitol and consumers in the kitchen,” said Hueston. “Our findings will impact complex policy decisions by lawmakers and shed light on the confusion people face when making food decisions for their families.”
To support the effort, the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences will provide background on food production and processing issues, the College of Veterinary Medicine will lend expertise on food safety issues involving animals and animal products, the Humphrey School of Public Affairs will provide input on how society manages food-related policies, and the School of Public Health will focus on consumer health.
Chronic wasting disease found in a farmed red deer from Ramsey CountyOn May 25, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health announced that a farmed red deer from a Ramsey County herd tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The brain stem from a 2-year-old female red deer was submitted for testing at the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, where preliminary results were positive for CWD. The National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed the positive test. The Board of Animal Health has placed the herd under quarantine and is working with the owners to determine the herd’s future. CWD is a fatal brain and nervous system disease found in cervidae in certain parts of North America. The disease is caused by an abnormally shaped protein called a prion, which can damage brain and nerve tissue. Infected animals may show signs of the disease, including progressive loss of body weight, behavioral changes, staggering, increased water consumption, and drooling. In later stages of the disease, animals become emaciated (thus “wasting” disease). There is no evidence that CWD can be transmitted to humans. For more information, see www.bah.state.mn.us/bah/releases/nr2012-05-25.html.
Study finds modern dog breeds are genetically disconnected from ancient ancestorsInterbreeding of dogs over thousands of years has made it extremely difficult to trace the ancient genetic roots of today’s pets, according to a new study by an international team of scientists that included Dr. Jaime F. Modiano, Perlman Professor of Animal Oncology and director of the Animal Cancer Care and Research Program. The scientists analyzed data of the genetic makeup of modern-day dogs, alongside an assessment of the global archaeological record of dog remains, and found that modern breeds genetically have little in common with their ancient ancestors. The findings were published May 21 in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. In addition to Modiano at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and Masonic Cancer Center, the research team was made up of scientists from a number of other universities, including the University of Durham in the United Kingdom, Uppsala University in Sweden, and the Broad Institute in the USA. In total, the researchers analyzed genetic data from 1,375 dogs representing 35 breeds. They also looked at data showing genetic samples of wolves, which all dogs are originally derived from. Lead author Dr. Greger Larson, an evolutionary biologist in Durham University’s Department of Archaeology, said the study demonstrated that there is still a lot we do not know about the early history of dog domestication including where, when, and how many times it took place. Modiano, who studies genetic mechanisms of cancer, says that the research can tell us a great deal about heritable cancers in dogs, how and when the risks might have arisen, and what we can learn from studying modern breeds. "Rethinking Dog Domestication by Integrating Genetics, Archeology, and Biogeography" is online at www.pnas.org/content/early/2012/05/15/1203005109.full.pdf+html.
Veterinary Student Supply summer hours underwayVeterinary Student Supply's summer hours started last week. VSS is open Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from noon-1 p.m. and by appointment. For an appointment, call 612-624-1702 or e-mail vssvth@umn.edu. June 7 forum will explore food safety "Ensuring Food Safety: Whose Responsibility?" a forum to be held at the Cargill Building on June 7, will explore the challenges, complexities, and responsibilities of safe food from multiple perspectives. The event runs from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and is part of the Finding Common Ground Forum Series hosted by the Global Initiative for Food Systems Leadership and Center for Integrative Leadership. Learn more and register at www.leadership.umn.edu/FoodSafety.html.
Global One Health Fund seeks proposals The Center for Animal Health and Food Safety's Global One Health Fund provides start-up money for new public-private-academic partnerships involving University Of Minnesota faculty. Two to five awards of up to $10,000 will be given in these areas: - Ecosystem health challenges at the intersection of human and animal health and the environment
- Emerging issues involving potential zoonoses, occupational health, and environmental health
- Global food system challenges that result in intentional or catastrophic contamination of food or system disruption.
- Plant health
- Projects that address global food security through collaborations that involve the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
New graduate student opportunity
This year, one award of $2,500 will be provided to support collaborative and innovative One Health approaches to swine production—topics specifically related to producer/worker health and safety. The deadline for proposals is June 11 at 8 a.m. To learn more, go to www.cahfs.umn.edu/prod/groups/cvm/@pub/@cvm/@cahfs/documents/article/cvm_article_387931.pdf.
CVM Web traffic report: May 2012Top 10 CVM Web sites
By number of visits
Data from Google Analytics - College of Veterinary Medicine: 25,100 visits
- The Raptor Center: 11,357 visits (up by 58 percent from April)
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory: 9,457 visits
- Veterinary Anatomy: 9,308 visits
- Equine Center: 5,978 visits
- Veterinary Medical Center: 5,975 visits
- Education and Student Services: 5,399 visits
- Veterinary Medical Library: 4,009 visits
- Minnesota Urolith Center: 3,602 visits
- Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Department:1,999 visits
By the numbers
Visits to the CVM home page came from 8,716 people in 95 countries and territories; 26 percent were new visits. Visitors viewed an average of 1.93 pages and spent an average of 4:01 minutes on the site. Most (59.55 percent) used Internet Explorer, and 54.38 percent arrived at the site through a search engine, usually Google.
Faculty and staff news (top) Robert Washabau's new gastroenterology textbook debuts at ACVIM ForumDr. Robert Washabau, professor of medicine and Veterinary Clinical Sciences Department chair, published his gastroenterology textbook last week. The book, Canine and Feline Gastroenterology, was published by Elsevier and debuted at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Forum in New Orleans last week. Dr. Washabau’s ACVIM Consensus Statement “Endoscopic, Biopsy, and Histopathologic Guidelines for the Evaluation of Gastrointestinal Inflammation” received a certificate of recognition from the ACVIM as one of the top five (more than 7,000 downloads) published manuscripts for 2010 and 2011. Sue Lowum cited in "Expert Alert"Dr. Sue Lowum was cited in a University of Minnesota "Expert Alert" about preparing dogs for tick season. A service provided by the University News Service, Expert Alert is designed to connect University experts to news and current events. See "Preparing Dogs for Tick Season" at www1.umn.edu/news/expert-alerts/2012/UR_CONTENT_390163.html. Welcome to the CollegeWelcome to the following employees who joined the College of Veterinary Medicine in May: Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Joseph M. Heili, junior scientist, molecular diagnostics laboratory
Veterinary Population Medicine Department
Victor Manuel Neira Ramirez, post-doctoral associate, Swine Disease Eradication Center Longtime employees to be honored at EastcliffOn Wednesday afternoon, seven CVM staff members will be honored at a recognition event for employees from all campuses with 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 years of service. The event will be held at Eastcliff, the official residence of University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler. Hats off to the seven CVM staff members: - Lucinda Dahlberg (20 years), Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
- Tim Gordon (20 years), CVM administration (facilities)
- Sue Kirchoff (20 years), CVM Communications
- Marcia Kocourek (25 years), Veterinary Medical Center
- Janice Parrow (25 years), Veterinary Medical Center
- Annalee Sower (30 years), Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
- Lisa Ulrich (25 years), Veterinary Clinical Sciences
In the news (top) Wolf pup surgery at VMCWCCO-TV covered the story of Peanut, a female wolf pup who underwent surgery for a fractured femur at the Veterinary Medical Center on May 16. Peanut returned to her home at the International Wolf Center in Ely, Minnesota, that night. The story is online at http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/05/18/wolf-pup-surgery-a-success/. Bald eagle helped by The Raptor Center"Eagle Soars, Takes Others Along for Ride," a story in the Chaska Herald, included a sidebar about The Raptor Center and quoted Lori Arent, clinic manager, and Amber Burnette, program associate.
Regular meetings, seminars, and rounds
New Employee Orientation: Mondays, 8:30 a.m.-noon, 458 Veterinary Medical Center CVM Research Seminar: Wednesdays, 3 p.m., 125 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Clinical Sciences Grand Rounds: Thursdays, 8 a.m., 125 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine Comparative Oncology Seminar: Every two months on the second Thursday of the month, noon, 125 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine Large Animal Grand Rounds: Fridays, 8-9 a.m., Nutrena Conference Center, Leatherdale Equine Center Seminars on Teaching and Conversations on Teaching: Fridays, noon-12:50 p.m., 213 Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center
Wednesday, June 6 Recognition Event for Employees with Milestone Work Anniversaries
Seven College of Veterinary Medicine employees will be honored.
1:30-3:30 p.m.
Eastcliff Thursday, June 7 Ensuring Food Safety: Whose Responsibility?
8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cargill Building, St. Paul Campus, University of Minnesota
The challenges, complexities, and responsibilities of safe food will be looked at from multiple perspectives in this full-day forum. This event is part of the Finding Common Ground Forum Series, hosted by the Global Initiative for Food Systems Leadership and Center for Integrative Leadership.
Learn more and register at www.leadership.umn.edu/FoodSafety.html.
Mather Lecture
Feline Surface Ocular Disease
Presented by Dr. Christine Lim
7:00-8:30 p.m. (complimentary light dinner begins at 6:30 p.m.)
215 Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center
For more information and to register, go to www.cvm.umn.edu/vetmedce/events/mather/home.html. Friday, June 8 Conversations on Teaching
Curriculum Review/Revision Update
Presented by Curriculum Review Board
Noon-12:50 p.m.
213 Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center Wednesday, June 13 Workshop: Dealing with Outrage
Presented by Will Hueston, Ph.D., executive director, Global Initiative for Food Systems Leadership
Hosted by the Academic and Student Affairs Office
1-4 p.m.
215 Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center
The workshop will include sharing of past challenges with "outrage," a risk communication model and common pitfalls, opportunities to practice skills, strategies for response to outrage, and more. RSVP to Amanda Anderson at andersoa@umn.edu. Tuesday, June 19Eastcliff Reception for Faculty and Staff
To celebrate their first year of service to the University, President Eric Kaler and Karen Kaler invite faculty, staff, and their families to Eastcliff for an ice cream social.
4–6 p.m.
Eastcliff, 176 North Mississippi River Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55104
To attend, please reply by June 11. Friday, June 22Hill's Pet Food Distribution
7:00-9:45 a.m. and noon-2:45 p.m.
Gortner Avenue Dock, Large Animal Hospital Saturday, June 30 Petapalooza
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Minnesota State Fairgrounds
Admission is free and pets are welcome. Learn more at http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/pet-a-palooza/. July
Wednesday, July 4University closed for Independence Day holiday
You can help important research efforts. For information about clinical studies currently enrolling in the Veterinary Medical Center, visit the Clinical Investigation Center Web site at www.cvm.umn.edu/cic/current.
Needs a home (top)  Micetro, a feline blood donor
Micetro, a 4-year-old neutered male feline blood donor, needs a foster home. An orange and white domestic shorthair, Micetro is friendly, outgoing, and has been around other cats. Contact Beth Olmstead at johns547@umn.edu.
Links (top) AVMA News Bytes and other news
www.avma.org/news/info_rss.asp
Center for Teaching and Learning workshops
www1.umn.edu/ohr/teachlearn/workshops/index.html CVM NewsCalendar
Back issues of CVM NewsCalendar are at www.cvm.umn.edu/cvmnewscalendar/home.html.  Facebook
Visit the College of Veterinary Medicine's Facebook page.
Visit the Veterinary Medical Center's Facebook page.
Hill's College Feeding Program
Order online through the Hill's online ordering system at www.hills-holos.com. For more information about the Hill's College Feeding Program, contact Tara Kasmark at kasm0019@umn.edu.
Housing
For information about student and off-campus housing, including temporary housing, go to www.housing.umn.edu/.
Job openings
For information about positions available at the College, visit www.cvm.umn.edu/employment/. For detailed information about current job openings, how to apply, and application materials, go to the University of Minnesota Office of Human Resources at www1.umn.edu/ohr/employment/index.html.
LinkedIn Group for the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine
http://www.linkedin.com/groupRegistration?gid=3826768&csrfToken=ajax%3A2643584546424817841
Minnesota Veterinary Historical Museum
http://hist.cvm.umn.edu/
 Twitter
Visit the College's Twitter page.
Visit the Veterinary Medical Center's Twitter page. Veterinary Continuing Education
www.cvm.umn.edu/vetmedce/ Veterinary Medical Center Gift Shop
vmcgiftshop.com Veterinary Medical Library
http://hsl.lib.umn.edu/vetmed
Veterinary Practice News
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CVM NewsCalendar is a biweekly newsletter for faculty, staff, and students of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Please submit news and calendar items to Sue Kirchoff, editor, at kirchoff@umn.edu.
The University of Minnesota is an equal-opportunity educator and employer.
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