01-07-08

CVM This Week is a weekly 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 kirch004@umn.edu before noon Friday. To view CVM This Week as a Web page and access back issues, go to      http://www.cvm.umn.edu/newsandevents/publications/cvmthisweek/home.html.

In this issue

• College news
• Candidates for dean announced; interviews start this week
• Brian Graves is new communications manager
• Update: Veterinary Medicine Workforce Expansion Grant Program and Loan Repayment
• Respectful Workplace training scheduled for Wednesday
• Ribbon-cutting/dedication for new BSL-3 necropsy space is Thursday
• Calendar
• Research news
• Research training opportunities
• Clinical studies currently enrolling in the VMC
• Links

College news (top)

Candidates for dean announced; interviews start this week
The candidates for dean of the College have been announced, and interviews begin this week. During the remainder of January, five candidates will participate in formal interviews to become acquainted with the College and its students, staff, and faculty. They will also meet with Dr. Frank Cerra, senior vice president for health sciences, and representatives of the University, the veterinary/agricultural industry, and organized veterinary medicine. During the interview process, candidates will present a seminar focusing on the future challenges and opportunities for academic veterinary medicine. The candidates and their seminar dates are:

• Trevor Ames, interim dean, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Ames will be interviewing Jan. 29-31 and presenting a seminar on Jan. 30 at 3:15 p.m. in 125 Andrew Boss.
• Douglas Freeman, head, Department of Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences and Department of Veterinary Diagnostic Services, North Dakota State University. Dr. Freeman will be interviewing Jan. 13-15 and presenting a seminar on Jan. 14 at 3:15 p.m. in 125 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine.
• Howard Gelberg, professor of pathology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University; previous dean of College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State. Dr. Gelberg will be interviewing Jan. 15-17 and presenting a seminar on Jan. 16 at 3:15 p.m. in 125 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine.

• D. Paul Lunn, head, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University. Dr. Lunn will be interviewing Jan. 9-11 and presenting a seminar on Jan. 10 at 3:15 p.m. in 125 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine.

• Robert Washabau, chair, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Washabau will be interviewing Jan. 6-8 and presenting a seminar on Jan. 7 at 3:15 p.m. in 125 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine.

Once all interviews have been completed and evaluations reviewed, the search committee will convene to select approximately three candidates to forward to Dr. Cerra. He will meet with the candidates a final time with the goal of selecting the next dean of the College.

Brian Graves is new communications manager
Brian T. Graves has joined the College as communications manager, reporting to Sharon Staton, director of advancement. An award-winning public relations and marketing professional, Brian’s background includes the development and execution of integrated communications, sales, and marketing plans and strategic partnerships in support of public relations, marketing, and fund-raising initiatives. He was previously employed as a project coordinator in corporate finance at General Electric in Eden Prairie; director of marketing and multicultural affairs at Anoka Technical College in Anoka; and director of marketing at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. He also has nearly 10 years of experience as a newspaper reporter, working for The Cleveland Plain Dealer, The Detroit News, and other papers in Georgia, Iowa, and Missouri.

Brian earned his master’s degree in journalism from the University of Iowa and his bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Northern Iowa. He can be reached at 612-624-6228 or grave237@umn.edu.

Update: Veterinary Medicine Workforce Expansion Grant Program and Loan Repayment
Some updates on the status of the 2007 Farm Bill, which includes the Veterinary Medicine Workforce Expansion Grant Program and Loan Repayment:

• The 2007 Farm Bill has passed in the Senate with the Veterinary Medicine Workforce Expansion Grant Program (Section 11045) and the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment (Section 7003). The House version of the 2007 Farm Bill that passed did not include the veterinary sections.
• A joint conference committee between the Senate and House will meet in mid-January to work out the differences between the versions. Congressional staffers are already working on a compromise bill.
• The United States Animal Health Association has put out a call to action: To address the shortage of veterinarians, particularly veterinary laboratory diagnosticians and food animal practitioners and veterinarians trained in agriculture biosecurity, the Veterinary Workforce Grant Program and the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment language must be included in the final 2007 Farm Bill.

Workshop on motivating and developing staff is Tuesday
Motivating and Developing Staff, a workshop for supervisors sponsored by the University of Minnesota Office of Human Resources, will be offered on Tuesday from 1-4 p.m. in 210 Donhowe. In this interactive session, staff from Employee Career Services will help participants think about ways to create a supportive environment that recognizes contributions and provides opportunities to learn and develop. To register, go to www.umn.edu/ohr/supervisors/workshops/index.html

Respectful Workplace training scheduled for Wednesday
Have you attended Respectful Workplace training? Do you know it's mandatory for all employees? The next training session is scheduled for Wednesday from 1-3 p.m. in 280 Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Another training session will be held on Tuesday, April 22, from 9-11 a.m. To sign up, please contact Helen Pederson at 612-624-8673 or h-pede1@umn.edu.

Ribbon-cutting/dedication for new BSL-3 necropsy space is Thursday
A ribbon-cutting ceremony and dedication of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory's new biosafety level 3 necropsy space is planned for Thursday at 9:30 a.m. Special guests will include Commissioner of Agriculture Gene Hugoson and Senator Steve Dille. Biosafety level 3 is a level of biosafety considered appropriate for agents that may be transmitted by the respiratory route, which can cause serious infection.

Calendar (top)

Monday, January 7

New Employee Orientation
8:30 a.m.-noon
458 Veterinary Medical Center

Public Lecture, Candidate for Dean
Future Challenges and Opportunities for Academic Veterinary Medicine
Presented by Robert Washabau, chair, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine
3:15-4:15 p.m.
125 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine

Public Reception: Robert Washabau, Candidate for Dean
4:15-5:15 p.m.
125 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine

Tuesday, January 8

Faculty Meeting
Dr. Mike Murtaugh will discuss the College's strategic plan for research.
7:30-9:00 a.m.
125 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine

Meet Robert Washabau, Candidate for Dean
9:45-10:45 a.m.
202 Pomeroy Center

Motivating and Developing Staff
The key to motivating staff isn't money. It's providing a supportive environment that recognizes contributions and provides opportunities to learn and develop. In this interactive session, staff from Employee Career Services will help participants think about ways to create this sort of environment.
1-4 p.m.
210 Donhowe
To register, go to www.umn.edu/ohr/supervisors/workshops/index.html

Wednesday, January 9

Respectful Workplace Training
All College of Veterinary Medicine employees must attend one session.
1-3 p.m.
280 Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
To sign up, please contact Helen Pederson at 612-624-8673 or h-pede1@umn.edu.

Thursday, January 10

Small Animal Grand Rounds
Relative Adrenal Insufficiency in Septic Shock
Presented by Dr. Lisa Powell
8 a.m.
125 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine

Ribbon-cutting/dedication of new BSL-3 Necropsy Space
Special guests will include Commissioner of Agriculture Gene Hugoson and Senator Steve Dille.
9:30 a.m.
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

Public Lecture, Candidate for Dean
Future Challenges and Opportunities for Academic Veterinary Medicine
Presented by D. Paul Lunn, head, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University
3:15-4:15 p.m.
125 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine

Public Reception: D. Paul Lunn, Candidate for Dean
4:15-5:15 p.m.
125 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine

Friday, January 11

Ph.D. Thesis Defense Seminar
Characterization of a Subdivision of Skin Homing T Cells Based on P-selectin Binding
Presented by Zhenya Ni
Advisor:  Dr. Bruce Walcheck
9 a.m.
215 Veterinary Science 
Everyone is welcome to attend.

Meet D. Paul Lunn, Candidate for Dean
11:15 a.m.-noon
115 Pomeroy Center

Master's Thesis Defense Seminar
Anaplasma phagocytophilum: In Megakaryocytes and Minnesota Dogs
Presented by Jennifer Granick
Advisors:  Dr. Dori Borjesson and Dr. Jane Armstrong
1 p.m.
280 Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Everyone is welcome to attend.

What's ahead

Students from Ross University, St. George's University, and St. Mathew's University Begin Orientation: Jan. 14. The Ross University students are Krystian Dabrowski, Lisa Hiebert, Christina Perogine, and Stephanie Pferdeort; the St. George's University student is Kevin Kelley; and the St. Matthew's University students are Nicole Kushmaul and Nicole Peta.

Introduction to Regulatory Affairs: Jan. 14-18 and 22-25. For details, go to www.cvm.umn.edu/outreach/events/reg.html

Agriculture Executive Training: Jan. 15-16, Landmark Center, St. Paul. For details, go to www.cvm.umn.edu/outreach/events/ae.html

Hill's College Feeding Program Distribution: Jan. 16, noon-12:50 p.m. and 5:00-5:50 p.m., Gortner Avenue dock, Large Animal Hospital

Hill's College Feeding Program Distribution: Jan. 17, 7:00-7:50 a.m. and 5:00-5:50 p.m., Gortner Avenue dock, Large Animal Hospital

Hill's College Feeding Program Distribution: Jan. 18, 7:00-7:50 a.m. and noon-12:50 p.m., Gortner Avenue dock, Large Animal Hospital

Biomedical Informatics and Computational Biology Symposium: Jan. 18, Rochester, Minn. To register, go to www.dtc.umn.edu/cgi-bin/bicb.php. For more information about the Biomedical Informatics and Computational Biology program, visit www.r.umn.edu/19_BICB.htm

Portrait Photo Session: Jan. 18, 2-5 p.m., 115 Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center. A portrait photographer will be available to take faculty photos for use in the VMC referral book and other College publications and Web pages. Registration is not required.

North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC): Jan. 19-23, Orlando, Florida. For more information, go to www.tnavc.org/mynavc/

NAVC Alumni Reception: Jan. 19, 6-9 p.m.

All About Owls Lecture: Jan. 20, 1:00-2:30 p.m., The Raptor Center. For details, go to    www.cvm.umn.edu/raptor/news/newsreleases/AllAboutOwls.html

Martin Luther King Day holiday (University offices closed; no classes): Jan. 21

CVM Seminar on Teaching -- The One-Minute Preceptor, presented by Karyn Baum and JoAnn Wood: Jan. 25, noon, Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center. Sponsored by the Office of Academic and Student Affairs.

Students from Ross University, St. George's University, and St. Mathew's University Begin Clinics: Jan. 28. Ross University students are Krystian Dabrowski, Lisa Hiebert, Christina Perogine, and Stephanie Pferdeort; the St. George's University student is Kevin Kelley; and the St. Matthew's University students are Nicole Kushmaul and Nicole Peta.

Hill's College Feeding Program Orders Due: Feb. 1

Horse Owner Education Days: Feb. 2, Leatherdale Equine Center. For details, go to www.cvm.umn.edu/outreach/events/horseowner.html

Turkey School: Feb. 5-6, Ben Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center. For details, go to www.cvm.umn.edu/outreach/events/turkey.html

Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association Annual Meeting: Feb. 7-9, Minneapolis Hilton

University of Minnesota Alumni Reception: Feb. 7, 5-7 p.m., Hennepin/Carver Room, Minneapolis Hilton. This event will include a champagne toast celebrating the appointments of Dr. Jaime Modiano as the Al & June Perlman Endowed Oncology Chair and Dr. Jody Lulich as the Osborne/Hill's Chair in Nephrology/Urology.

Go to the Academic Health Center's calendar of events.

Go to the University of Minnesota campus events calendar.

Research news (top)

Research training opportunities
The College of Veterinary Medicine offers the following research training opportunities for veterinarians, veterinary students, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows. In these positions, you will work in a collaborative research environment as part of an interdisciplinary research team, obtaining the advanced training you need for a leadership career in academia, industry, or the public sector.

Comparative Medicine and Pathology Training Grant
Postdoctoral training supported by the National Institutes of Health
Goal: To provide state-of-the-art research training to veterinarians
Focus of research: Comparative biomedical sciences and molecular mechanisms focused on animal models of human disease.
Prerequisites:  D.V.M. or foreign equivalent and U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status
Contact: Dr. Cathy S. Carlson, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, at 612-625-7717 or carls099@umn.edu
Application deadline: January 15

National Center for Food Protection and Defense (NCFPD) Homeland Security Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Training Program
Scholarships and fellowships in food protection and defense
Goal:  Developing the next generation of food defense scientists and professionals through undergraduate, professional, and graduate degree programs
Focus: Students of all disciplines who are interested in a professional or academic career in the multidisciplinary field of global food system defense
Prerequisites: Currently enrolled in a degree program at an accredited U.S. institution with an interest in food system defense and a willingness to engage in a paid internship at a federal agency, national laboratory, or other recognized food defense partner. There is a post-degree service requirement for awardees.
Contact: Shaun Kennedy, director, NCFPD, at ncfpd@umn.edu or 612-624-2458. Web site: www.ncfpd.umn.edu
Application deadline: Applications are accepted year around.

Research Fellowships for Veterinary Students
A 10-week “Summer Scholars” program for first- and second-year veterinary students
Goal: Summer research experiences for undergraduate veterinary students
Focus of research: A wide range of research opportunities exist in every aspect of companion and agricultural animal health, as well as in animal models of human diseases. Students will be immersed in basic sciences training, which will be supplemented with professional development experiences, field trips, and group learning.
Prerequisites: Current enrollment and good standing in a D.V.M. program, U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status.
Contact: Dr. Bert Stromberg, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, at 612-625-7008 or Erin Mann at mann0162@umn.edu.
Application deadline: February 1

Fellowships in Animal Infectious Agents and Zoonoses
Ph.D. training for veterinarians funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Goal: Ph.D. training in the USDA National Needs Targeted Expertise Shortage Area of sciences for agricultural biosecurity
Focus of research: Multidisciplinary and comprehensive basic sciences training in animal infectious diseases, zoonoses, public health, or biosecurity. Graduates will be prepared for leadership positions in research and practices pertaining to infectious agents affecting agricultural animals and humans.
Prerequisites: D.V.M. or foreign equivalent, U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status
Contact: Dr. Mark S. Rutherford, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, at 612-625-4281 or ruthe003@umn.edu
Application deadline: January 15

Training in Neuroimmune-Neurobehavior Addiction Research
Pre- and postdoctoral training supported by the National Institutes of Health
Goal: Pre- and postdoctoral training in an interdisciplinary field that focuses on the interactions of drugs of abuse with the nervous and immune systems
Prerequisites: Predoctoral candidates must have earned a bachelor’s degree and be interested in interdisciplinary aspects of addiction-related research. Postdoctoral candidates must have a Ph.D., D.V.M., or M.D. and be interested in laboratory-based neuroimmune/neurobehavior addiction research. All candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Focus of research: Pharmacology, psychology/psychiatry, neuroscience, and microbiology/immunology
Contacts: Dr. Tom Molitor or Ms. Yorie Smart, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, at smart006@umn.edu or 612-625-5746. Web site: www.ahc.umn.edu/pni
Application deadline: Applications are accepted year around.

Clinical studies currently enrolling in the VMC
For a list of clinical studies currently rolling in the Veterinary Medical Center, visit the Clinical Investigation Center Web site at http://www.cvm.umn.edu/cic/current.

Links (top)

AVMA News Bytes and other news
www.avma.org/news/info_rss.asp

CVM This Week
Back issues of CVM This Week, from June 2004 to today's issue, are at               http://www.cvm.umn.edu/newsandevents/publications/cvmthisweek/home.html.

Hill's College Feeding Program
Order online through the Hill's online ordering system at https://www.summationdata.com/hpn. For more information about the Hill's College Feeding Program, contact Jaime Nett at nett0049@umn.edu or Alisha Leonard at leona156@umn.edu.

Housing
For information about student and off-campus housing, including a housing and roommate search service, go to http://www.housing.umn.edu/.

Job openings
For information about positions available at the College, visit   www.cvm.umn.edu/About/HumanResources/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 http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/employment/index.html.

The VMC Pulse
Issues are available online by logging in at   http://www.cvm.umn.edu/vmc/staffresources/Pulse.html.

University of Minnesota Legislative Network News
http://ga4.org/u_of_m_leg_net/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=8620389&r=

Veterinary conferences
Dates, places, and links for national and international veterinary conferences are on the College Web site atnbsp;      http://www.cvm.umn.edu/newsandevents/conferences/home.html.

Veterinary Medical Library
For information about the Veterinary Medical Library, including new acquisitions, visit http://www.vetmed.lib.umn.edu/news.

Veterinary Practice News
Did you know that you can get a free subscription? Subscribe (or renew) online at www.vetpracticenews.com.

CVM This Week is a weekly 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 kirch004@umn.edu before noon Friday.

The University of Minnesota is an equal-opportunity educator and employer.