Circus Comes to Town
Every year for nearly 2 decades the professionals with Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus have treated NCSU first year students to an eye opening tour behind the scenes and an opportunity to learn from some of the most successful animal trainers in the world as part of their first year behavior course.
This Friday (February 9th) Dr. Barbara Simpson will take her VMC 927 Introduction to Animal Behavior students to meet with Ms. Janice Aria, Manager of Animal Stewardship Training, Dr. Dennis Schmitt the chairman of Veterinary Services and Director of Research as well as Bruce Read, the Vice President off Animal Stewardship for Feld Enterprises for a discussion of circus animal management and to watch a training session.
A tour behind the scenes and discussion of the challenges of delivering veterinary care to 3 traveling troupes as well as the Elephant Conservation Center will round out the event. Joining the veterinary students for the 1 pm session at the RBC center will be about 50 students from Kimberly Ange’s ANS 400 Companion Animal Management course.
Infectious Disease Team Being Formed
Early last summer Dean Arden and the faculty of the Population Health and Pathobiology Department embarked on a bold effort to develop a team of faculty able to respond to the increasing challenges of infectious diseases, and biosecurity, and their impacts on production species.
After months of developing the search it is time for the recruitment. Five exceptional candidates have been invited for one day interviews over the next month, and EMC faculty, staff and students will want to make every effort to interact with these candidates.
The agenda for each visit will be similar, with the candidate’s seminar at 8:30 AM and conversation sessions scheduled throughout the day. First on the podium will be Dr. Sara Lawhon , a molecular bacteriologist working with Salmonella currently in a Post doctoral research position at Texas A&M University. She will be on campus Monday, Feb 5, 2007. She will know her way around, having completed her PhD in Dr. Craig Altier’s laboratory.
Dr. Jason Osterstock, also of Texas A&M University, a lecturer in food animal medicine with bovine focus and epidemiologic interests in viral diseases will visit Tuesday Feb 20th, 2007.
Dr. Terri Hamrick, a PhD microbiologist working on Listeria as an Assistant Professor in the school of pharmacy at Campbell University will visit on Feb 27, 2007.
Thursday, March 1, 2007 the EMC’s own Dr. Suzanne Kennedy-Stoskopf, NC State University will present her seminar in a quest to be selected to round out the team with her expertise in infectious diseases of wildlife and interest in the human/production animal/wildlife interface.
Dr. Sid Thakur, from the Center for Veterinary Medicine, FDA will round out the presentations on Tuesday, Mar 6. The Search Committee members are Barrett Slenning (chair), Glen Almond, Kevin Anderson, Mac Law, Paul Orndorff, and Malcolm Roberts.
EMC Alum in New Zealand Working to Make Changes
EMC Alum Dr. Linda Hayes-Dingfelder (DVM ’00) reports in that after 3 years at Dr. Brian Speer's avian practice in California, she and her husband moved back to New Zealand.
She is doing as much avian/exotics as she can in the rural area that they live in and so far she is the Veterinarian for the National Aquarium in Napier , which she reports is not as impressive as it sounds, but still provides her with good challenges. She is working on a kiwi breeding/release project and is about to get involved with a fur seal project for fitting transmitters as spice to her relief small animal/exotic practice, Beak and Claw Companion Animal Veterinary Services.
With two young daughters (3 1/2 years and 3 mos in age) it is clear that Linda has plenty to keep her busy. She reports that the veterinary focus in New Zealand remains on production livestock, and that husbandry and veterinary care for non-domestic species lags a bit behind U.S. standards, but that is something that she feels NCSU has prepared her to be able to help change. Dr. Hayes-Dingfelder can be reached at louloukiwi@yahoo.com
Willens goes to the Pentagon
After a well deserved week off to go skiing in Vermont, Dr. Scott Willens (PhD ‘04) will start a new assignment at the Pentagon with COL Ross in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. This tour will be for 6 months and then Major Willens will move on to USAMRIID (U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases) at Ft. Detrick where he will serve as a Branch Chief for probably 3 years.
Annual Training Session for Wildlife Resources Commission Field Personnel
The annual drug management and immobilization training session for NC Wildlife Resources Personnel will be held February 16th at the NCWRC building on Centennial Campus. All NCWRC biologists and field personnel who are involved in emergency removal/relocation of nuisance wildlife attend the annual sessions to ensure that they re current on the latest information about the use of immobilization drugs and equipment. Dr. Michael Stoskopf, Stan Dunston and Donna Hardin conduct the half day session.
Advanced Topics in Zoological Medicine II, CBS 818
Dr. Ryan DeVoe’s session which was cancelled last week on account of weather will be rescheduled later in the semester. The next presentation this Thursday, February 8th, will be a literature review on aquatic invertebrate medicine presented by Dr. Allison Tuttle. The February 15th session as currently scheduled will feature a quiz provided by Dr. DeVoe and a grand rounds presentation by Dr. Karen Wolf, but be prepared for a possible re-shuffling to accommodate the weather cancellation last week. The sessions start at 4:15 pm in room D-239 N at the CVM and will be broadcast to the NC Zoo and CMAST.
EMC WEBSITE
Recent Funding and Publications
Kukanich, B, D. Huff, J.E. Riviere and M. G. Papich (2007) Naïve averaged, naïve pooled and population pharmacokinetics of orally administered marboflxacin in juvenile harbor seals. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 230(3): 390-395.
Van Wettere A, Lewbart GA. 2007. Cytologic diagnosis of diseases of invertebrates. Vet Clin Exot Anim 10: 235-254.
Submit your publications and grant awards to Dr. Stoskopf so they can be included in the EMC NEWS
Opportunities
Opportunities for jobs have become so numerous that it is difficult to keep the listings current. To help with that, the following links take you to listings of job opportunities that might be of interest to EMC'ers. Positions not appearing on these lists are noted individually below.
American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians
National Wildlife Health Center
National Wildlife Research Center
International Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
American Zoo and Aquarium Association
More Opportunities
Wildlife Disease Specialist
Sustainable Resource Development, Edmonton. Position Description. Flexible Closing Date - February 2, 2007 The search is ongoing until a suitable candidate is found. Provide
improved service and response to such disease issues as the West Nile Virus
and Chronic Wasting Disease reporting to the Provincial Wildlife Disease Specialist within the Wildlife Management Branch, and be responsible for aspects of wildlife disease
testing, diagnostics, data collection, organization, records, analysis, reporting, and research. Qualifications: A Masters Degree in Biology or a related discipline from a
recognized university, plus several years of related experience. A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree or PhD is preferred. Specialization in wildlife parasites and diseases is required. A valid Class 5 Driver's License is required. Final candidates for this position will be asked to undergo a security screening. This competition may be used to fill future vacancies. Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary. For more information about Sustainable Resource Development, the Fish and Wildlife Division, and, in particular, the Wildlife Management Branch,
please visit this site. Please also visit the
Wildlife Disease webpage.
Salary: $49,536 TO $74,496 PER ANNUM Closing Date: February 2, 2007. Competition No. 038401-IN Open Competition Online applications are preferred. To apply online visit this site, or submit your resume to: Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Human Resource Services, 4th Floor, Petroleum Plaza, South Tower, 9915-108 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2G8. Fax No. (780) 427-2513. Please ensure you quote the competition number.
Aquatic Research Technician
The Department of Clinical Sciences, NCSU CVM is seeking a technician with diverse experience to support the research, teaching and clinical efforts of EMC faculty working out of the Center for Marine Sciences and Technology. Interested individuals can apply through the NCSU online application system by going to this site
The position is rated for a salary between 27 and 32K based on experience. The position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship
Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) in Sanibel, Florida. CROW is a non-profit wildlife hospital that provides care for over 3,400 injured and orphaned native Florida wildlife patients each year. Integrative medicine, including use of herbal therapy, homeopathy, Chinese veterinary medicine, and traditional western veterinary medicine, complements rehabilitation techniques. The position a one year internship beginning June 2007. Compensation is $10,000/year stipend and on-island housing are provided.
The intern will work alongside two full time veterinarians, a veterinary assistant, and rehabilitation staff and volunteers. Involvement will include patient admittances, treatment administration, surgery, anesthesia, necropsy, appropriate cage and diet preparation, telephone communications, and record-keeping. Learning opportunities also include after-hours emergency admittances and infant bird and mammal care. The intern will be encouraged to participate in daily rounds sessions, as well as help to teach and coordinate students, fellows, and volunteers. Contact: Amber McNamara, DVM Phone: 239-472-3644, ext. 1 Fax: 239-472-8544 Email: mcnamara_aa@yahoo.com Website: www.crowclinic.org.
Avian Influenza Program Coordinator
The Wildlife Conservation Society, a U.S. based international organization, seeks candidates for a two-year, New York-based position to coordinate and advise the Wild Bird Global Avian Influenza Network for Surveillance (GAINS), a two-year, USAID-funded program led by the Wildlife Conservation Society.
GAINS will provide technical support and leadership in surveillance of migratory birds for avian influenza by expanding operational understanding of viral strains and transmission of influenza viruses and improving dissemination of information to all levels of the U.S. Government, international governments and organizations, international partners, and the private sector. The program requires a Technical Lead to serve as the main scientific liaison with USAID and be responsible for helping the COP to implement program priorities and approaches; oversee training and biological monitoring efforts; communicate with NGOs, governmental organization and with other institutions.
This position is based at the WCS central office at the Bronx Zoo, New York, with extensive international travel. The ideal Candidate will have a degree in veterinary medicine (DVM, VMD or equivalent), related science or an equivalent field; minimum of 5 years of experience working on international projects; demonstrated ability to work with multiple partners on collaborative projects; and Demonstrated ability to create and maintain effective working relations with senior Government personnel, international organizations, NGO partners, host country and U.S. government organizations. Benefits include generous vacation, medical/dental, 401K, pension, tuition reimbursement and on-site parking. To apply, please send cover letter and salary requirements to hr@wcs.org. Please type code STTL in subject.
Senior Technical Advisor, Avian Influenza Response Coordination
GLOBAL ARD, Inc. is accepting expressions of interest from highly qualified potential candidates for a Senior Technical Advisor for a USAID-funded global highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) planning and response project. The successful candidates will advise a multi-disciplinary team of technical and administrative professionals in a world-wide response to prevent the spread of HPAI, prepare for and respond to HPAI outbreaks among animals and humans, and minimize the risk of re-infection among poultry during the recovery phase.
The activities envisioned under this project include identifying and maintaining rosters of veterinary and other related health experts, designing and implementing approaches to assist countries to respond to outbreaks, and establishing the capacity to provide operational and logistical support to technical experts and teams working in response to HPAI. The project is anticipated to run for three years.
REQUIREMENTS: Minimum of graduate level degree in veterinary medicine, science or an equivalent field; Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience working on international projects; Demonstrated ability to work with multiple partners on collaborative projects; Demonstrated ability to create and maintain effective working relations with senior Government personnel, International Organization, NGO partners, host country and U.S. government organizations; Demonstrated ability to design and implement training programs dealing with technical subjects; Demonstrated ability to provide logistical and operational support for emergency overseas deployments; Proven ability to provide deliverables on time and within budget; English fluency. TO APPLY: Please e-mail full, current curriculum vitae (CV) in reverse chronological format, to ehughes@ardinc.com or fax to E. Hughes at 802-658-4247. Please refer to AI -STA in subject line. Candidates meeting the qualifications detailed above will be contacted. No phone calls, please. There is no closing date. U.S. citizenship is not required. ARD, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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