Ryan N. Jennings

Professional Training and Experience

• PhD, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 2011 - 2015
• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Pathologists (Anatomic Pathology), 2011
• Resident, Veterinary Anatomic Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 2008 - 2011
• DVM (with high honors), Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 2004 - 2008
• BS (with honors), Zoology, Michigan State Uniersity, East Lansing, MI, 2000 - 2004

Research Interests

• Diagnostic dermatopathology of domestic animals
• AI-based image analysis
• Pathogenesis of veterinary squamous cell carcinomas

My research is focused on identifying and integrating molecular diagnostics in veterinary oncology and better understanding the pathogenesis and prognostics of veterinary cancers, while exploring the potential for animal models.

Using artificial intelligence to identify predictors of disease progression in dogs with metastatic mast cell tumors 

We are currently recruiting dogs with cutaneous mast cell tumors (cMCTs) for a clinical study focused on better understanding factors associated with the spread of these tumors to lymph nodes.

The presence of tumor cells in lymph nodes is an important indicator of prognosis in dogs with cMCTs. As a result, evaluating nearby lymph nodes for evidence of spread through surgical removal and microscopic examination is a routine part of staging these patients.

The goal of this study is to use advanced artificial intelligence-based image analysis to examine lymph node samples from affected dogs. By developing a digital analysis tool, we aim to objectively identify and measure important cellular and molecular features of mast cells within lymph nodes. We believe this approach will uncover key factors associated with patient outcomes, including the amount of mast cell burden and how actively those cells are dividing.

Ultimately, this work may lead to a more accurate and reliable system for evaluating lymph node involvement in dogs with cMCTs. This could help veterinarians provide more informed prognoses, make better treatment decisions, and improve outcomes for canine patients.

This project is supported by The American Kennel Foundation Grant 03282.

Equine penile and preputial squamous cell carcinoma

Equine penile and preputial squamous cell carcinoma (EPPSCC) is a cancer that affects the penis and surrounding tissues in horses. It is frequently linked to a papillomavirus infection, similar to viruses associated with some head and neck carcinomas (HNSCC) in humans.

In horses, these tumors have a high rate of recurrence following local excision, and frequently, aggressive surgical procedures such as partial or total phallectomy are required.

Research in humans suggests that proteins known as cytokeratins can provide valuable information about how a tumor is likely to behave. We aim to investigate whether these same markers can be used in horses to improve diagnosis and help predict clinical outcomes.