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Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine has a robust research program that spans basic biomedical sciences in infectious (viral, bacterial, and parasitic) and non-infectious (immune-mediated and oncologic) diseases to veterinary clinical research to translational to public health. The program's overall goal is to apply our research to improve the lives of pets and people.
Basic biomedical sciences include the use of appropriate animal models for diseases to better understand the disease process, a prerequisite for the development of better preventive and therapeutic strategies.
With a focus on One Health, our program brings together veterinarians, physicians, and other scientists to address public health threats affecting both people and animals.
Our translational research approach aims to take laboratory findings directly to clients in a clinical setting.
Ongoing clinical trials in our hospitals test research discoveries to develop better methods of disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Our faculty, students, staff, and research partners are committed to discovery, service, and training future researchers and veterinarians.
Centers
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Center for One Health Research , articleThe Center for One Health Research (COHR) gathers faculty, staff, and students from VA-MD Vet Med and the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine who have a shared interest in cooperative research and scholarship related to infectious diseases. This collaboration is founded on the two schools’ One Health philosophy, which is based on the understanding that animal health, human health, and the environment are inextricably linked; consequently, professionals from these fields must work together to protect, promote, and improve overall health. The center coordinates research, instruction, and outreach activities related to understanding the disease processes that affect both animal and human health, and supports the continued advancement of the science and technology of disease-intervention strategies.
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(Meta)Genomics-Based Pathogen Identification Center for Animal and Plant Disease Diagnostics, Biosecurity, and Pandemic Prevention , articleToday’s growing destruction of ecosystems, worldwide trade of plant and animals, and human travel exasperate the risk of plant and animal disease emergence and spread. Early detection, precise identification, and thorough characterization of emerging pathogens using agnostic genomic and metagenomic sequencing could lead to faster interventions to lower the chances that a local disease outbreak turns into an epidemic or pandemic. Therefore, at Virginia Tech, the Virginia Tech Animal Laboratory Services and the Virginia Tech Plant Disease Clinic joined forces to establish a (meta)genomics-based pathogen identification service center for animal and plant disease diagnostics, biosecurity, and pandemic prevention.
Signature Research Programs
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Comparative, Translational, and Veterinary Research , articleResearch themes include clinical veterinary medicine research and translational medicine from laboratory animals to clinical veterinary and human patients; stem cell biology and its application; clinical trials management; and human-animal bond/interactions.
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Immune-mediated / Inflammatory Diseases Research , articleResearch themes include animal models for immune-mediated diseases, and understanding the mechanisms of such as autoimmune diseases and inflammatory diseases (eg. inflammatory bowel disease). Specific interests include role of epigenetics, microbiome, and environmental hormonal factors on these diseases; transition of inflammation leading to cancer; induction of immunity in oncologic conditions; and translational research.
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Neuropathobiology Research , articleResearch themes include animal models for neurodevelopment and traumatic injury, neurovascularization, neuroinflammation, and neuro-oncology; and translational research.
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Pathogenic Microbiology / Infectious Diseases Research , articleResearch themes include animal models for human and veterinary infectious diseases; and understanding the pathogenesis of the diseases, immunity to infectious and its prevention: development of vaccines and drugs, mechanisms of drug resistance, and translational research.
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Public Health Research , articleResearch focused on infectious diseases epidemiology and public health education that addresses the individual, social, and ecological determinants of health, reflects the human-animal-environment One Health interface, promotes health equity, and builds healthy communities.
Laboratories
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Research Training Programs
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Latest News
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Katie LaVallee to lead Animal Resources and Care Division , articleEffective Dec. 1, LaVallee is responsible for overseeing the care and use of animals used in research, testing, and teaching across Virginia Tech.
Date: Nov 27, 2024 -
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Research achievements and excellence honored during annual celebration , articleMore than 80 Virginia Tech faculty members were honored during the Celebrating Scholarly Distinction ceremony.
Date: Nov 13, 2024 -
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Inaugural recipients named for Lutz Awards , articleSophia Economou, Zheng “Phil” Xiang, John Rossmeisl, and Markus Breitschmid earned the first Jacob A. Lutz III Awards for Eminent Scholars during Virginia Tech’s annual research awards ceremony, Celebrating Scholarly Excellence, on Nov. 6.
Date: Nov 12, 2024 -
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Q&A: Researchers focus on innovative treatments for brain tumors in dogs , articleNovember is National Pet Cancer Awareness Month. With over 6 million pets diagnosed with cancer every year, Virginia Tech’s work in pet cancer research represents a critical step toward more humane and effective care.
Date: Nov 11, 2024 -
Video ItemVirginia Tech researcher studies commonalities of canine and human brain cancer , video
John Rossmeisl Jr., the Dr. and Mrs. Dorsey Taylor Mahin Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech, studies the commonalities between canine and human cancers — a connection that has major implications for treating intractable tumors. He is one the first four recipients of the Jacob A. Lutz III Award for Eminent Scholars for his innovative cancer research.
Date: Nov 08, 2024 -
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Nutshell Games to inspire both audience and presenters , articleThe Nutshell Games, hosted by Virginia Tech's Center for Communicating Science, will offer graduate students this challenge: to present their research in just 90 seconds to a live audience and panel of judges. This year's event will be held Nov. 2 at the Moss Arts Center and is free and open to the public.
Date: Oct 29, 2024 -
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Neuroscientist awarded grant to study serotonin-based modulation to treat seizures , articleSharon Swanger, an assistant professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, will use a $200,000 grant from the commonwealth to study how an approved drug impacts a rare form of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome.
Date: Oct 16, 2024 -
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Grant unites humanities and health sciences for infectious disease coursework , articleFaculty from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences are teaming up with colleagues in the College of Science and the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine to create courses centered around the human dimensions of infectious disease.
Date: Oct 15, 2024