02-25-08

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   www.cvm.umn.edu/newsandevents/publications/cvmthisweek.

In this issue

• College news
• Trevor Ames, Howard Gelberg, and Robert Washabau are final candidates
• Tom Molitor represents College at economic development forum
• Civil service staff to receive $300 payment
• Another TB-infected herd found; state prepares for status downgrade
• Calendar
• In the media
• Who should be qualified to float horses' teeth?
• Baby orangutan gets a name
• Faculty and staff news
• Goldy treats Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences office to lunch
• Student news
• Graduate programs host prospective students
• Research news
• Clinical Investigation Center news
• Clinical trial seeks healthy dogs for dermatology study
• New IACUC forms developed for clinical trials
• Links

College news (top)

Trevor Ames, Howard Gelberg, and Robert Washabau are final candidates
On Feb. 19, Dr. Frank Cerra, senior vice president for health sciences, announced that Trevor Ames, Howard Gelberg, and Robert Washabau had been named the final candidates for the position of dean of the College. Each candidate will be asked to return for a two-day visit that will primarily focus on administrative issues, e.g. financial details, facilities, research administration, human resources, philanthropy, and public affairs. During this time, each candidate will meet with the Faculty Council and the Dean's external Advisory Board members.

In this last phase of the search, Dr. Cerra is interested in faculty, staff, and student perspectives on the candidates. He invites commentary via e-mail at cerra001@umn.edu, which is secure and only seen by Dr. Cerra.

When this phase is completed, Dr. Cerra will forward the final nominee to University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks with a recommendation for appointment as the next CVM dean. From the president's office, the nomination will go to the Board of Regents for the official appointment. Dr. Cerra would like to complete this process for the May meeting of the Board of Regents.

Tom Molitor represents College at economic development forum
Tom Molitor, professor and interim chair of the Veterinary Population Medicine Department, accompanied University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks, the mayor of Worthington, and executives of major businesses and educational enterprises for a Feb. 21-22 economic forum to discuss educational economic development in southwestern Minnesota. The College and southwestern Minnesota educators and businesses have long worked together in the areas of --

Teaching
Worthington veterinarians assist in swine disease rotations. College faculty also work with the local community college, Minnesota West Community and Technical College, to train laboratory technicians to meet regional biotechnology needs. In addition, the College works with the College of Biological Sciences and the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Sciences to enhance undergraduate education in the field of veterinary medicine.

Research
Newport Labs has worked closely with many College faculty members, providing support for research projects. Newport was also a member of the Swine Disease Eradication Center, a program that has worked collaboratively with industry and veterinary partners to control and eradicate diseases of economic significance that affect the swine industry. The College works closely with Newport Labs and the Worthington Veterinary Medical Center to meet their needs. 

Outreach/service
The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) provides bacterial and viral isolates to Newport Labs. In 2006-07, the VDL sent 114 SIV-82, PRRS-26, Circo-S, and Parvo-l virus isolates and 182 bacterial isolates. Faculty have worked closely with Newport and Worthington veterinarians by lecturing and providing scientific information and expertise on issues affecting animal agriculture. Employees of Newport and the veterinary practice provide lectures, seminars, and other education to University of Minnesota students, staff, and faculty.

Civil service staff to receive $300 payment
A $300 one-time, lump-sum payment to civil service employees has been authorized by central administration and will appear on the March 12 paycheck. To be eligible for the payment, you must be a permanent civil service employee who did not receive a lump-sum payment through the AFSCME collective bargaining agreement in the past fiscal year. Details about eligibility can be found at www.umn.edu/ohr/compensation/cslumpcriteria.html.

Another-TB infected herd found; state prepares for status downgrade
On Feb. 19, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health announced that a Beltrami County beef cattle herd has tested positive for bovine tuberculosis. This is the fourth positive herd detected since October 2007, and it will likely result in the downgrade of Minnesota’s bovine TB status from Modified Accredited Advanced to Modified Accredited, as required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For more information, go to www.bah.state.mn.us/bah/releases/MNTB2-19-08.pdf

Calendar (top)

Monday, February 25

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

Tuesday, February 26

Seminar in Comparative and Molecular Biosciences
The Ex Vivo Expansion, Characterization, and Function of Non-Human Primate T Regulatory Cells and Their Role in Preventing Islet Transplant Rejection
Presented by Jennifer Johnson
Advisors: Drs. Bansal-Pakala and Murtaugh
Noon-1 p.m.
215 Veterinary Science

Master’s Thesis Defense Seminar
Porcine Circovirus Type 2: Serologic Response in Pigs and Susceptibility to Different Disinfectants
Presented by Hyeun Bum Kim
Advisor:  Dr. Han Soo Joo
2 p.m.
385J Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine
Everyone is welcome to attend.

Hold Your Horses Seminars

• Neurologic Herpes Disease and Potomac Horse Fever in Horses, presented by Dr. Julie Wilson
• What's Wrong With My Horse's Eye? presented by Dr. Nicole Scotty

7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Hamel Community Building, Hamel, Minn.
For details, go to  http://www.cvm.umn.edu/outreach/events/holdyourhorses.html

Wednesday, February 27

Brown Bag Financial Series
Build a Portfolio for Any Weather
Presented by Fidelity
Noon-1 p.m.
210 Donhowe
For more information, go to www1.umn.edu/ohr/benefits/events/index.html

Comparative Biosciences Seminar
Why Do We Eat? A Neural Systems Approach
Presented by Dr. Al Levine, director, Minnesota Obesity Center, and dean, College of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources
Hosted by Dr. Robert Washabau
3 p.m.
125 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine
Refreshments available. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Contact: Jaclyn Barnes at barne063@umn.edu or 612-624-2700

Thursday, February 28

Small Animal Grand Rounds
8 a.m.
125 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine

Saturday, March 1

Horse Owner Education Days
Morris Science Building, University of Minnesota-Morris
For details, to to www.cvm.umn.edu/outreach/events/horseowner.html

Alpaca Matters Midwest Annual Conference
Starts today; continues through Sunday, March 2
Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine
For details and to register, go to www.cvm.umn.edu/outreach/events/alpaca.html

What's ahead

Clinical Rounds for Veterinary Students: March 4, noon, 135 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine

National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association Symposium: March 4-8, Cherry Hill, New Jersey. For more information, go to www.nwrawildlife.org/page.asp?ID=211

Emergency Readiness Rounds--Minnesota Disaster Response: Lessons Learned in 2007: March 5, 12:00-1:30 p.m., Snelling Office Park, Red River Room, 1645 Energy Park Dr., St. Paul. For details, go to http://cpheo.sph.umn.edu/events/rounds/

Fish Health Certificate Field Training: March 6, 12:30-5:30 p.m. For details, go to www.cvm.umn.edu/outreach/events/fish.html

Mather Lecture Series: Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs and Cats, presented by Dr. Brian Husbands: March 6, 7:00-8:30 p.m., 215 Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center. $30 per seminar. For details and to register, go to www.cvm.umn.edu/outreach/events/mather.html

Hill's College Feeding Program Orders Due: March 7

Horse Owner Education Days: March 8, Northwest Technical College, Bemidji. For details, to to www.cvm.umn.edu/outreach/events/horseowner.html

VMC Career Information Day: March 8, 1-3 p.m., Veterinary Medical Center

Horse Owner Education Days (advanced session): March 15, Leatherdale Equine Center. For details, to to www.cvm.umn.edu/outreach/events/horseowner.html

Fort Dodge Animal Health Presentation--Small Ruminant Discussion, presented by Dr. Pugh: March 17, 5:30 p.m., 135 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine. Contact: Kyle Adkins, Class of 2010, Fort Dodge Student Representative, at adki0021@umn.edu

Hill's Pet Food Distribution: March 18, 7:00-7:50 a.m. and noon-12:50 p.m., Gortner Avenue dock, Large Animal Hospital

Fort Dodge Animal Health/Equine Club Presentation--West Nile Virus, presented by Dr. Pugh: March 18, noon-1 p.m., 135 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine. Contact: Kyle Adkins, Class of 2010, Fort Dodge Student Representative, at adki0021@umn.edu

Hill's Pet Food Distribution: March 19, 7:00-7:50 a.m. and noon-12:50 p.m., Gortner Avenue dock, Large Animal Hospital

Opportunities in International and Cultural Immersion: March 19, noon-12:50 p.m., 215 Ben Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Hill's Pet Food Distribution: March 20, 7:00-7:50 a.m. and 5:00-5:50 p.m., Gortner Avenue dock, Large Animal Hospital

University floating holiday: March 21

Hold Your Horses Seminars presented by Dr. Erin Malone and Dr. Nicolas Ernst: March 25, 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., Hamel Community Building, Hamel, Minn. For details, go to  http://www.cvm.umn.edu/outreach/events/holdyourhorses.html

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

Go to the University of Minnesota campus events calendar.

In the media (top)

Who should be qualitied to float horses' teeth?
The Feb. 18 issue of West Central Tribune published an article on the issue of who should be qualified to float horse teeth. Floating horse teeth involves smoothing down the teeth of horses with a file. It’s a necessary routine because horse teeth grow perpetually, and the sharp points can cut a horse’s tongue and mouth. It can be painful and difficult for horses to eat if their teeth are not routinely filed. The Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine has taken the position that only veterinarians should be allowed to do the procedure. According to the article, a report recommended that people who float horse teeth would not have to be veterinarians but that training would be required. Proposed legislation will ask the College to establish a training program. The article is online at www.wctrib.com/articles/index.cfm?id=32495&section=homepage

Baby orangutan gets a name
Jaya is the new name of the baby orangutan that was delivered via c-section at the Veterinary Medical Center in December. The c-section was a medical first, merging the skills of veterinarians with Como Zoo's zookeepers and medical staff from the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital, Fairview. Jaya is an Indonesian name meaning celebration and victorious. To see KMSP-TV's coverage, go to www.myfoxtwincities.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=5808320
&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

Faculty and staff news (top)

Goldy treats Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences office to lunch
The Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Department office won a monthly drawing for a lunch delivered by Goldy Gopher on Maroon & Gold Friday Feb. 8. For more information about Maroon & Gold Fridays and a link to the Goldy Gopher visit form, visit the University of Minnesota Alumni Association Web site.

Student news (top)

Graduate programs host prospective students
On February 22, the Comparative and Molecular Biosciences, Veterinary Medicine, and Animal Sciences graduate programs hosted 15 prospective students for a recruitment day -- one of the largest groups of prospective graduate students to visit campus at one time. In the morning, current students showcased their research at a poster session and breakfast in the lobby of Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine, and individual meetings were arranged with graduate faculty. The afternoon included lunch with student representatives and tours of the CVM, St. Paul Campus, and Minneapolis campus facilities. The day was topped off with dinner and bowling at the Gopher Spot, attended by graduate faculty, current students, prospective students, and their guests.

"The Graduate Programs Office, along with the directors of graduate studies, extend their appreciation to everyone who participated," says Lisa Hubinger, graduate program coordinator. "Faculty, students, and staff were all instrumental in assuring that the prospective graduate students had a positive and welcoming experience."

Research news (top)

Clinical Investigation Center news

Clinical trial seeks healthy dogs for dermatology study
Healthy dogs are needed for a study to evaluate skin lipids ($30 compensation). Contact Dr. Lisa Reiter at reite052@umn.edu  For a complete 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.

New IACUC forms developed for clinical trials
The Clinical Investigation Center and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) have developed a new set of animal use forms. These forms are streamlined to address projects conducted with client-owned animals, as opposed to animals owned by Research Animal Resources. The forms recognize that these studies have a series of special considerations that have often been difficult to cover on the current general purpose form. (Examples include: no need for Appendix C - Controlled Substances when using the VMC pharmacy; explaining endpoints of the study that do not include euthanasia; and explaining housing, transport of animals, and where the animals go at the end of the study, i.e., back with their owners).
 
The new forms are in a pilot mode for the time being. They can be accessed through the CIC Web site under Investigator Support at www.cvm.umn.edu/cic/Investigators/home.html.  Please also see the IACUC Web site (www.research.umn.edu/iacuc/download/) for forms that are unchanged (Appendix O, Appendix M). For more information, see the CIC Web site or contact Kathy Stuebner, research coordinator, at 4-2485 or stueb005@umn.edu.

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 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.