The College of Veterinary Medicine has launched a new initiative to accelerate cancer innovation from the laboratory to the clinic. The Auburn University Research Initiative in Cancer, or AURIC, embodies the “One Medicine” concept which links human, animal, and environmental health, and where discoveries in one species advance health in all species.

Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard of Auburn was instrumental in establishing AURIC. A $1 million appropriation from the state of Alabama will be used to support cancer research by Auburn University faculty in a wide range of cancer-related areas. “The goal is to leverage this initial funding into increased federal and private support,” said Bruce Smith, AURIC director.

On March 16 during a reception for Speaker Hubbard, the college announced the creation of The Speaker Mike Hubbard Fellowship in Cancer Research at Auburn University. The endowed fund will provide support to an outstanding student pursuing a Ph.D. in cancer research.

Members of AURIC’s board include scientists and oncologists with the College of Veterinary Medicine, as well as representatives with Auburn’s Harrison School of Pharmacy and Samuel Ginn College of Engineering.

For more information on the Auburn University Research Initiative in Cancer, go to auriconline.org.

Bruce Smith, director of the Auburn University Research Initiative in Cancer, announces the creation of The Speaker Mike Hubbard Fellowship in Cancer Research at Auburn University while Hubbard and his wife, Susan, look on.

Did you know 80% of your immune system is located in your digestive system? College of Veterinary Medicine scientists Drs. Vitaly Vodyanoy and Iryna Sorokulova, along with researchers from the Dept. of Kinesiology, are improving understanding of the structures, mechanisms, functions and dysfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract in animals and humans.

The new Gastrointestinal Research Center, a partnership between veterinary medicine and kinesiology, is a featured story of Auburn University. [Read More]

Tatiana Samoylova, an associate research professor at the Scott-Ritchey Research Center, has received a two-year, $412,106 Michelson Grant from the Found Animals Foundation. The grant will fund Samoylova to continue her research to develop immunocontraceptive vaccines with a long lasting effect for use in both male and female cats and dogs.

“To control the overpopulation of unowned animals, my laboratory, in collaboration with Drs. Nancy Cox, Valery Petrenko, Bettina Schemera, Frank Bartol, and Mark Carpenter, is developing immunocontraceptive vaccines that are based on phage-GnRH constructs via phage display technology,” said Samoylova.  “Such vaccines are designed to be used primarily by animal shelters as cost-effective alternatives to surgical neutering.”

According to Found Animals, six to eight million cats and dogs enter U.S. shelters each year, and half are euthanized. While animal sterilization has long been recognized as an integral solution to the problem of overpopulation, standard surgical techniques of spaying and neutering have obstacles such as high costs, the need for trained veterinary surgeons, and appropriate facilities. A single-dose, non-surgical sterilant that could be administered in the field at a reasonable cost would be an ideal solution, and would save lives and end suffering for millions of companion animals throughout the world.

Learn more about the Michelson Grant and the Scott-Ritchey Research Center.

The College of Veterinary Medicine won two CASE awards for marketing activities from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, District III. The CASE District III awards were an Award of Excellence in Printed Publications Paid Advertisement Series for “Champions On and Off the Field” and Special Merit, Printed Publications Direct Mail, for the college Christmas Card.

From the oncology program to training bomb-sniffing dogs, the College of Veterinary Medicine was featured in a series of ads in Auburn Football Illustrated. Sponsored by the college’s development office, “Champions On and Off the Field” depicted how students, alumni, and friends of the college are contributing to the local community, nation, and world. The ads created awareness of the new Wilford and Kate Bailey Small Animal Teaching Hospital and the funding campaign Soar.

“Receiving top honors for this work not only recognizes outstanding effort by our staff and university photographers, but the dedication, expertise, and talents of Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine,” said Acting Dean Calvin M. Johnson.  “The award-winning projects are great examples of the benefits of letting creative people be creative.”

To view the series “Champions On and Off the Field,” visit http://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/champions.

The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education is a professional association serving educational institutions and the advancement professionals who work on their behalf in alumni relations, communications, development, marketing, and allied areas.  District III covers nine Southeastern states, including Alabama.

Printed Publications Paid Advertisement Series
Award of Excellence
Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine
Champions On and Off the Field
Leanne Greene, Tara Lanier, Melissa Humble, Jeff Etheridge, Diana Childers, Jan Chamblin

Printed Publications Direct Mail
Special Merit Award
Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine
Christmas Card 
Leanne Greene, Kristen West

Attending the CVM orientation session held March 7 were: Kathy Heaton, Scott-Ritchey Research Center, animal care attendant; Lora Bagents, Equine Source Plasma Project, research assistant; Joni Coffman, Scott-Ritchey Research Center, admin support associate; Hannah Goodman, Clinical Sciences, veterinary technician; Jason Bailey, Clinical Sciences, animal care orderly; and Emma Brown, Clinical Sciences, Medical Records Clerk.

From Kris Robertson Street, Coordinator of Events and Recruitment

The 105th Annual Conference takes place Apr. 12-14 at the Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center and at the CVM.

Keynote speakers are Auburn faculty and alumni – Dr. Brad Fields, Dr. Jim Floyd, Dr. Jacob Johnson, and Dr. Soren Rodning. During the opening session on Friday, they will discuss how veterinarians work to ensure a safe food supply for U.S. Armed Forces, the health and safety of military working dogs, and the integrity of animal agriculture in the countries they served.

For CVM faculty, staff, and students: If you do not need continuing education credit, you do not have to register for the conference, but please wear your badge when attending conference events.

For questions and more information, contact Kris Street at 844-2497 or kris.street@auburn.edu.

The CVM  hosts Open House on Saturday, April 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The student-organized event shares information about careers in veterinary medicine and activities about the college. Open House T-shirts are available for $10 in the Academic Affairs office (217 Overton).

Open House Scheduled Events

9 a.m. - Dr. Angarano’s Address to the Incoming Class
10 a.m. - Parade of Breeds
10:30 a.m. - Dr. Angarano’s Address to the General Public
1 p.m. - Bomb-Sniffing Dog Demonstration