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Research at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

Lab vials in a blue rack.
Accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, ViTALS is the on-site interdisciplinary diagnostic laboratory of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.

About

Research Focus Areas 2021

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.

Signature Research Programs

  • Article Item
    COHR header photo.
    Center for One Health Research , article

    The 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.

  • Article Item
    Translational Medicine
    Comparative, Translational, and Veterinary Research , article

    Research 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.

  • Article Item
    Inflammatory Disease
    Immune-mediated / Inflammatory Diseases Research , article

    Research 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.

  • Article Item
    Neuropathobiology
    Neuropathobiology Research , article

    Research themes include animal models for neurodevelopment and traumatic injury, neurovascularization, neuroinflammation, and neuro-oncology; and translational research.

  • Article Item
    Infectious Disease
    Pathogenic Microbiology / Infectious Diseases Research , article

    Research 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.

  • Article Item
    Public Health - Epidemiology
    Public Health Research , article

    Research 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.

Latest News

  • Article Item
    Farm-raised rainbow trout from Virginia.
    Harmful bacterial pathogen found by veterinary professor in Virginia farm-raised rainbow trout , article

    An emerging strain of harmful bacteria has been found for the first time in farm-raised rainbow trout in Virginia. The discovery resulted not only in a peer-reviewed publication led by Stephen A. Smith entitled “First isolation of Carnobacterium maltamaticum from farmed Rainbow Trout in Virginia” being published in March in the Journal of Aquatic Animal Health, but also being featured on the journal’s cover.

    Date: May 31, 2023
  • Article Item
    Team members work in a laboratory.
    HIV drugs may help fight against deadly fungal infection, Seleem lab study finds , article

    Antiviral drugs can make antifungals work again. That, at its simplest, is the approach Mohamed Seleem’s lab at the Center for One Health Research (COHR) has found may be a key treatment strategy in the battle against Candida auris, a frighteningly deadly fungal pathogen discovered in 2009 that is considered an urgent threat by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Date: May 31, 2023
  • Article Item
    Ilektra Athanasiadi,  assistant professor of radiation oncology at the Animal Cancer Care and Research Center.
    Focal Medical-Virginia Tech Press Release , article

    Cary, NC and Roanoke, VA, May 04, 2023 — Focal Medical, Inc., a privately held, biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutic products based on its innovative local drug delivery technology platform today announced the initiation of a research study in collaboration with Virginia Tech’s Animal Cancer Care and Research Center.

    Date: May 04, 2023
  • Article Item
    Headshot of Priscila Soto.
    Chilean veterinary student exchange brings new perspectives, opportunities , article

    Virginia Tech has had a longstanding relationship with the Austral University of Chile, and colleges across the university have participated in exchange programs. In a three-month exchange, students from the veterinary college and the Austral University of Chile explore hands-on opportunities. The two Chilean students studying at the veterinary college this year are Priscila Soto and Maksimiano Rodríguez.

    Date: Apr 18, 2023

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