Points of Pride 2004

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact:  Jan Williams, College of Veterinary Medicine, 612-624-6228

U Of M College Of Veterinary Medicine Celebrates Knowledge Advancement Efforts During Research Days

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (March 23, 2004) ? The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) held its annual Points of Pride Research Days on March 9-10, honoring the research accomplishments of the CVM?s graduate students, faculty, alumni, and community partners.

?The new knowledge discovered by our students, faculty, and alumni make a real difference to animals and humans every day,? said College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Jeffrey Klausner. ?This was a celebration to honor the individuals who play a critical role in furthering our understanding of diseases and advancing animal and human health.?

This year?s Distinguished Research Partner Award went to R & D Systems, Inc., of Minneapolis, which has been a valued partner of the CVM for the past 15 years.

?R & D has allowed us to develop research in the area of animal cytokines and their role in health and disease,? Klausner explained. ?Their support includes two large animal housing units and has permitted us to enhance our teaching in the area of small ruminants.?

The Pfizer Research Excellence Award went to Jim Mickelson, professor, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences for his role in identifying the molecular bases of inherited neuromuscular disorders in animals and humans.

The Distinguished Research Alumni Award went to Delmar Finco, D.V.M., Ph.D., of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, who was a member of the CVM class of 1959. A researcher in the area of chronic renal disease, Finco has earned an international reputation of being one of the premiere investigators in the discipline of comparative nephrology and urology. Finco presented the Points of Pride Distinguished Research Alumnus Seminar, ?Forty Years of Nephrology: Have We Learned Anything??

A poster competition also took place, with $250 awards bestowed to graduate students Laurie Brewer, Seongbeom Cho, and Zhengguo Xiao, Summer Scholar Kari Ekenstedt, and Larissa Minicucci of the Veterinary Population Medicine Department.

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The College of Veterinary Medicine improves the health and well-being of animals and people by providing high-quality veterinary training, conducting leading-edge research, and delivering innovative veterinary services.