Department Round Ups: Winter 2026
Originally Published
Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine
National funding fuels Ohio State’s impact on agricultural health and safety
The Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine is driving efforts to protect Ohio’s agricultural economy with support from the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP), funded through the 2018 Farm Bill. This program helps safeguard livestock health and the food supply by improving biosecurity and emergency response.
Recent outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in poultry and dairy cattle highlight the need for proactive measures. NADPRP grants enable Ohio State faculty to work directly with producers to address gaps in biosecurity and implement best practices at high risk sites, such as livestock markets. The department is also launching outreach initiatives for small farms, which often lack resources to prevent disease spread.
These efforts align with the college’s Protect OHIO program, which emphasizes collaboration and innovation to strengthen animal, human and environmental health across the state.
By combining research and hands-on collaboration, the department continues to lead nationally in agricultural disease preparedness—protecting Ohio farms and strengthening the resilience of the state’s food systems.
Alumnus joins faculty at Large Animal Services in Marysville
Aaron Pospisil, DVM ’17, has joined The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Large Animal Services at Marysville. A proud Buckeye, Pospisil earned both his bachelor’s degree in biology and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ohio State, graduating magna cum laude as an undergraduate. He brings extensive experience in dairy and equine medicine, herd health consulting, and mentoring young professionals. He previously worked in a mixed animal practice with a focus on large animal care and has led initiatives to improve herd performance and calf health. Pospisil is passionate about supporting producers and advancing veterinary education in the community.
Sign up for VPM Voice, the email newsletter for Ohio State's Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, to stay updated on what's going on in the department.
Visit go.osu.edu/VPM-Voice to read past issues and sign up.
Amanda Berrian named inaugural Dr. Tom Mack Chair for Global One Health
Amanda Berrian, DVM, MPH, PhD, DACVPM, associate professor, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, was named the inaugural Dr. Tom Mack Chair for Global One Health at a ceremony on September 12, 2025. The position honors the life and legacy of Tom Mack, DVM ’61, a distinguished alumnus and lifelong advocate for veterinary medicine and global health.
This appointment recognizes Berrian’s distinguished work in Global One Health. Currently serving as Associate Director of the Veterinary Public Health Program and Director of Education and Training Capacity for the Global One Health initiative (GOHi), she leads One Health initiatives at the college, university, national, and international levels. Her scholarly contributions in this space include numerous peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and invited presentations. She has received competitive and collaborative funding awards from organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID, USDA, and CDC.
Armando Hoet earns two honors for public health leadership
A professor and director of Ohio State’s Veterinary Public Health Program, Armando Hoet, DVM, PhD ’02, DACVPM, has advanced agricultural health and food safety for more than two decades. In recognition of his dedication and achievements, Hoet received two public health awards this year.
The American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians named Hoet the 2025 Public Health Veterinarian of the Year. In addition, Hoet’s leadership in sustainable livestock transformation, One Health, and animal health, as well as his contributions to the reference center, earned him the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Global Technical Recognition Award.
Both honors underscore his lasting impact on veterinary public health and One Health efforts across Ohio and beyond. Under his leadership, the MPH-VPH program has become one of the nation’s largest ACVPM-certified programs, preparing hundreds of professionals who now serve in government, academia, and industry. His work spans global initiatives in antimicrobial resistance, zoonotic disease prevention and emergency response planning, strengthening Ohio’s agricultural resilience and influencing food systems worldwide.
Department of Veterinary Biosciences
Emily King earns prestigious ACVP scholarship
Emily King, DVM ’21, PhD ’25, DACVP, a trainee in Ohio State’s Combined Pathology/PhD Program, was awarded the Harold W. Casey Scholarship from the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP). This highly competitive honor recognizes outstanding pathology trainees who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to advancing veterinary medicine. Each year, only one recipient is selected nationwide, making this achievement especially noteworthy.
The scholarship included a monetary award and recognition at the ACVP Annual Meeting. King’s selection reflects her exceptional research contributions and dedication to comparative pathology. This marks the first time in eight years that a trainee from Ohio State’s combined program has received the Casey Scholarship, underscoring the program’s continued tradition of excellence.
King successfully defended her PhD in November 2025 and is poised to make significant contributions to animal and human health through her work in pathology and translational science.
Jessica Beck joins department
Jessica Beck, DVM, PhD, joined the College of Veterinary Medicine as an assistant professor—clinical in the Department of Veterinary Biosciences. Beck comes to Ohio State from the National Cancer Institute’s Center for Cancer Research, where she served as a staff scientist in the Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics.
Her research has focused on comparative oncology and molecular mechanisms underlying cancer development, with an emphasis on translational approaches that benefit both human and animal health. Beck brings extensive experience in cancer biology and pathology, strengthening Ohio State’s commitment to advancing veterinary medicine through research and education.
Michael Oglesbee receives ACVP Distinguished Member Award
Photo: Jo McCult
Michael Oglesbee, DVM ’84, PhD ’88, DACVP, professor in the Department of Veterinary Biosciences and director of Ohio State’s Infectious Diseases Institute, received the American College of Veterinary Pathologists Distinguished Member Award. This honor recognizes Diplomates who have rendered exceptionally distinguished service to the College or made exemplary contributions to veterinary pathology.
Oglesbee’s career spans more than four decades at Ohio State, marked by pioneering research in viral neuropathology and leadership in infectious disease initiatives. He is also a dedicated mentor whose guidance has shaped generations of veterinary professionals. In addition to this award, Oglesbee is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, one of the world’s most prestigious scientific societies, underscoring his impact on advancing science and education.
This recognition places Oglesbee among the most respected leaders in veterinary medicine and highlights Ohio State’s tradition of excellence.
Grants and Publications
These are just a few highlights of the groundbreaking research and scholarly work happening in the Department of Veterinary Biosciences. These recent grants and publications showcase the department’s commitment to advancing animal and human health through innovation and collaboration.
Grants:
- Dongsung Kim, PhD, has been awarded a K22 NIH NCI grant: “Mutation specific pan-KRAS inhibitor signaling responses and anti-tumor effect.”
- Vladi Karniychuk, DVM, PhD, was awarded numerous grants last fall:
- OSU CVM Equine Grant, Development of a single-dose West Nile virus vaccine for long-term immunity and protection in horses
- Swine Health Information Center & the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research, Leveraging Wastewater for Genome-Based
- Surveillance of Emerging Threats in Swine Health. (Michael Oglesbee, DVM, PhD, DACVP, is a Co-investigator)
National Pork Board (the Swine Disease Research Taskforce), Towards a universal platform for self-adjuvanting vaccines against emerging PRRSV strains
Selected Publications:
(Out of more than 30 since June 2025)
Generations of Generating a Cytology Report. Wellman ML, Radin MJ, Neal SV. Vet Clin Pathol. 2025 Oct 15. doi:10.1111/vcp.70074. Online ahead of print.PMID: 41097822 No abstract available.
In this paper, Maxey Wellman, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVP, and colleagues explore the use of current AI tools for the generation of cytology reports.
Development of SARS-CoV-2 as a viral vector: A novel intranasal bivalent vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 and RSV. Xu J, Chamblee M, Jiang F, Kc M, Hsu CC, Thongpan I, Chen P, Zhang Y, Chiu CT, Shamseldin MM, Amer HM, Liang X, Amer AO, Boyaka PN, Cormet-Boyaka E, Peeples ME, Li J. Sci Adv. 2025 Sep 26;11(39):eadx7487. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adx7487. Epub 2025 Sep 26.PMID: 41004586.
In this paper, Jianrong Li, DVM, PhD, and colleagues report the development of an innovative approach for rapid development of live attenuated viral vectors and demonstrate its application for multivalent vaccines.
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
National Cancer Institute sponsored clinical trials advance cancer treatments
Two National Cancer Institute-sponsored clinical trials led by Shay Bracha, DVM, MS, DACVIM (oncology), are testing new immunotherapy strategies designed to strengthen the body’s defenses against cancer in dogs and expand options beyond standard treatments.
In the canine soft tissue sarcoma study, “Targeting MIC to Augment Adoptive NK Therapy Using the Canine Soft Tissue Sarcoma Model,” researchers are evaluating whether a targeted antibody aimed at MIC, a molecule found on tumor cells, can help activate natural killer (NK) cells so they recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively. The goal is to enhance the impact of adoptive NK cell therapy and improve outcomes for a cancer that can be difficult to treat and may spread to vital organs.
A second trial, “Improving Mucosal Melanoma Therapy by Harnessing the Immunogenicity of r3LCMV,” is focused on mucosal oral melanoma, one of the most aggressive canine cancers. The study uses a weakened virus (r3LCMV) delivered into the tumor to kill cancer cells and stimulate an immune response; tumor-derived immune cells are then collected and expanded to help target disease that may have spread elsewhere.
Study-related treatments, along with some diagnostic workups and follow-up care, are provided at no cost to owners.
Learn more at go.osu.edu/cvm-clinicaltrials or email cvm-clinicaltrials@osu.edu.
Marco Coutinho da Silva named director of Blue Buffalo Veterinary Clinical Trials Office
The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine has named Marco Coutinho da Silva, DVM, MS, PhD, DACT, as director of the Blue Buffalo Veterinary Clinical Trials Office.
Coutinho da Silva is a professor-clinical and section head in theriogenology and reproductive medicine at the college. In addition, he now leads clinical research initiatives aimed at advancing veterinary care and developing innovative treatments for companion animals.
The Blue Buffalo Veterinary Clinical Trials Office connects pet owners, veterinarians and researchers to studies that improve animal health and contribute to discoveries benefiting both pets and people. Under Coutinho da Silva’s leadership, the office will continue to expand its impact through collaborative research and translational science.
Dr. Jen Gold (left) and (right) Dr. Diana Hassel.
Margaret Mudge honored for contributions to equine education
Margaret Mudge, VMD, DACVS, DACVECC, professor-clinical in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences and section head of Equine Emergency Critical Care and Surgery, was named the 2025 Dr. T. Douglas Byars Equine Educator of the Year. She received the award at the 31st Annual International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Symposium in September.
The honor recognizes her contributions to equine and large-animal emergency and critical care education, as well as her long-standing role as a presenter at IVECCS meetings. Mudge was also recognized by the College of Veterinary Medicine with the 2025 John Lyman Jr. Award for Clinical Teaching Excellence.
Established in 2004 by Ron Lyman, DVM ’77, in honor of his father, the award recognizes sustained excellence in student-centered clinical education and reflects Mudge’s commitment to compassion, innovation, enthusiasm and ethics in veterinary medicine.
Department welcomes dermatology and cardiology specialist
Andhika Putra, DVM, MS, DAiCVD, earned his veterinary degree from Universitas Airlangga and later completed a master’s degree at the University of Florida as a Fulbright Scholar. Putra earned diplomate status from the Asian College of Veterinary Dermatology following advanced clinical training in the United States and Asia. His work includes pioneering the diagnosis of rare skin diseases in Indonesia, publishing research on dermatology education and treatment innovations, and mentoring veterinarians and students worldwide.
A two-time Buckeye graduate, Kendra Zelachowski, DVM '21, DACVIM (Cardiology), earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and bachelor's degree in agriculture summa cum laude. Most recently, Zelachowski served as a cardiology resident at Texas A&M University, where she contributed to research on heart disease and infectious conditions in dogs and presented her work at national veterinary forums. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.