SPOKANE, WA – Seven Washington State University veterinary students showcased their summer research projects at the national Veterinary Scholars Symposium, held Aug. 8–10 at the Spokane Convention Center. The annual event, which draws hundreds of participants, serves as the capstone to the 10- to 12-week Veterinary Scholars Summer Research Program, where students work closely with faculty mentors to explore advancements in animal and human health.
Research Highlights
- Rachel Buzzelle, a third-year veterinary student from Mukilteo, Washington, studied the effects of hormonal changes during puberty on executive function in mice, with potential applications across mammalian species.
- Allison Lind, a third-year student from Corvallis, Oregon, examined micro RNA in cats to develop potential diagnostic and prognostic tools for feline cancers, including pituitary adenomas.
- Al-Amin Olojede, a visiting veterinary student from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, collaborated with WSU faculty and GeoVax Inc. to evaluate a novel single-dose monkeypox vaccine against the current two-dose regimen.
- Tunde Olowu, a PhD student from Shomolu, Lagos, Nigeria, analyzed strains of the bacteria Anaplasma marginale in Nigerian cattle to determine whether locally developed vaccines could have global applications.
- McKenna Quirk, a second-year student from Missoula, Montana, assisted in vaccine trials aimed at preventing Mesomycoplasma ovipneumoniae infections in sheep, a pathogen that causes fatal pneumonia in bighorn sheep.
- Lindsey Richmond, a PhD and third-year veterinary student from Mukilteo, Washington, investigated how early-life inflammatory diseases, such as bovine respiratory disease, affect the long-term health of Holstein dairy cattle.
The symposium highlighted research addressing challenges in animal health, disease prevention, and diagnostic innovation, underscoring WSU’s role in preparing future veterinary leaders through hands-on scientific inquiry.