SAVMA SYMPOSIUM GREAT SUCCESS
Congratulations to the organizing committee and all of the NCSU veterinary students who managed to pull of the national Student Veterinary Medical Association Symposium held here at NCSU this past Wednesday through Sunday.
The turn out was excellent with on the order of 1500 students from around the United States and Canada attending the many lectures and labs offered and participating in the competitions ranging from cow palpation to tug of war.
The EMC students and faculty were heavily involved with even Dr. Lewbart returning from the swamps to present his fish surgery seminar and key laboratory sessions. 14 of the 19 laboratory experiences offered at the symposium were taught by EMC faculty in addition to at least 19 lecture presentations.
Kudos with apologies to any one over looked to Drs. Cullen, Harms, Marks, Papich, Tate, Farin, Flammer, Degernes, Birkenheur, Pinto, Stoskopf, Lewbart, Almond, Cannedy, Pease, Guy, Hawkins, Swanson and Allen for helping support this important student run event. All of the events were well received.
Though the Bee Gee’s music didn’t function in the room, Dr. Stoskopf’s seminar “Staying Alive: Working with Dangerous Animals Safely” packed the room and had the audience spilling into the hall way, not an unusual site as students hungry for information made the most of the opportunities.
Exquisite Entomology Exhibits Opens in Gregg Museum
EMC faculty and students with a penchant for the invertebrate or just a well refined sense of the esthetic will want to make a visit to the Gregg Museum of Art and Design in the Talley Student Center at NC State. The exhibit, which will be on view March 15 – May 13, 2007 is definitely worth a stop by the museum. To the casual observer it isn’t immediately obvious that the art on display is actually real bugs. . Artists Jennifer Angus and Janice Wright Cheney have created a variety of fiber works incorporating the varied beauty of actual insects. The show is supported in art by the Canada Council of Arts and the New Brunswick Arts Board. Vita Plume, Assistant Professor of Art and Design at NCSU is the guest curator of the show, working with Lynn Jones Ennis Curator of the Gregg Museum Collection
Research Forum Impressive
The 2007 CVM Research Forum held March 9th is always an important event for EMC students and faculty alike. Amanda Ardente, (DVM ’08) was the first EMC student on the oral presentation block with her presentation “In-vitro pharmacokinetic study involving the transdermal absorption of sevoflurane” which reported work done on amphibian anesthesia under the direction of Drs. Ron Baynes and Patrick Burns.
Kristen Dewey (DVM ‘09) presented her Merck-Meriel summer research mentored by Drs. Suzanne Kennedy-Stoskopf and Barbara Sherman Simpson, “Environmental enrichment of captive Pallas’ cats.” Michelle Mehalick (DVM ‘08) gave an oral presentation on her summer work with Drs. Michael Stoskopf and Heather Henson-Ramsey entitled, “Measurement and in vitro inhibition of cholinesterase in the serum of eastern hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis).”
Poster presentations were also in play. In the graduate division Dr. Kristen Hobbie (PhD Can.) presented her work with Dr. Mac Law in a poster entitled “Mechanisms of DMN-induced hepatic preneoplasia in the F344 rat vs. the medaka fish model.” Veterinary student Nicole Hladio working with Dr Adam Birkenheuer presented a poster entitled “Prevalence and molecular characterization of Babesia species in raccoons (Procyon lotor) from eastern North Carolina.”
LJ Minter (DVM ‘08) under the guidance of Dr. Carlos Pinto presented a poster, “Influence of extender and packaging on post-thaw survival of epididymal cat spermatozoa.” His study was funded by the Morris Animal Foundation Veterinary Student Scholars Program. He will be traveling to Colorado this June to present his poster in consideration of the $5000 Ballard Award. Congratulations to all our students on excellent presentations.
Many Seminars for Aquatics Scientists
The coming weeks offer seminars by several fisheries scientists visiting the NCSU campus. The talks are open to anyone interested so mark your calendar. Dr. Ray Hilborn will present the Brandt Lecture on March 22nd in 100 Harrelson Hall at 12 pm. Dr. Hilborn is Richard C. and Lois M. Worthington Professor of Fisheries Management in the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington specializing in natural resource management and conservation. Major areas of current and past research interest include Bayesian analysis of decision making in natural resources, adaptive management of renewable resources, the dynamics of the Serengeti ecosystem in east Africa, the role of hatcheries in management of Pacific salmon, the ability of institutions to learn from experience, statistical methods in testing dynamic ecological hypotheses, the analysis of migration and dispersal from mark–recapture data, and the ecological dynamics of fishing fleets.
Dr. Ken Able of Rutgers’ Marine lab will be speaking on “Habitats of esuarine dependent fishes: Insights from acoustic telemetry” later the same day from 4pm to 5pm in 101 David Clark Labs.
Then, March 29, from 4pm-5pm in 101 David Clark Labs, Dr. Kirk Winemiller, of Texas A&M will present "Disentangling ecological complexity: food web research in a species-rich tropical river."
Karsten Heuer to Speak of Alaskan Journeys
A reminder that the College of Veterinary Medicine, the College of Design and the NC State Libraries are hosting a public lecture by wildlife biologist Karsten Heuer who will discuss his five-month experience in traveling with an Alaskan Caribou herd. The free lecture will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, March 23, in the Witherspoon Theater on the NC State campus. All faculty, students, and staff are invited to attend.
In 2003 Heuer and his filmaker wife, Leanne Allison, set off a trek of epic proportions. For the next five months they skied and walked alongside the 123,000-member Porcupine Caribou Herd from their Yukon winter range to Alaskan calving grounds and back. The couple was investigating the challenges facing Alaskan caribou in the face of the potential use of their calving grounds for oil fields. Using still images, award-winning film clips, and relating interesting stories, Heuer will explain what he and his wife learned amongst the herd to challenges facing designers today. The wildlife biologist will participate in a signing of his book, Being Caribou, immediately following the lecture.
Spring Semester Zoological Focus Meeting
The spring semester meeting of the DVM Zoological Focus students will be at noon on THURSDAY MARCH 29TH in the Green Commons. This is not a required event, but a good opportunity to meet with faculty, mentors and other students to ask question and explore options.
New Conservation Ecology Course
A new graduate course, Conservation Ecology (ZO 592) will be taught for the first time in Fall semester 2007. The course is scheduled for Thursdays from 10:15 to 11:30 and will be taught in David Clark Labs 139. The course instructor, Dr. Nick Haddad of Zoology will focus on the application of principles in ecology to problems in onservation. Topics will revolve around conservation and restoration in the face of major global changes that are influencing the world’s ecosystems, such as habitat loss and fragmentation, loss of biodiversity, pollution with nitrogen and phosphorous, changes in atmospheric carbon and in temperature, as well as overexploitation of fisheries, and disease ecology. To learn more visit the website for the class .
Safe Capture Course Coming to Wake County
The well established basic animal immobilization course presented by Safe Capture “Chemical Immobilization of Animals” will be taught May 1 and 2, 2007 in the Wake County Commons Building. The course has been completely revised and updated this year and will include 13 hours of lecture and 3 hours of hands on training in the use of blowguns, long range projectors, darts, human protective safety equipment and dart associated radio-tracking devices. Interns, Residents and DVM Students, Wildlife Biology Students, CVMT’s enjoy a discounted registration $295 on line at www.safecapture.com.
Call for Web page materials
All EMC students, alumni and faculty. What better time than in the flush of well being following spring break to gather up the materials we want to post on your web pages. Send photos, CV’s, contact info, etc. To michael_stoskopf@ncsu.edu.
Advanced Topics in Zoological Medicine II, CBS 818
Dr. Keven Flammer will present the next CBS 818 session. On March 22nd he will be discussing issues in psittacine health. Next week Dr. Saythya Chinnadurai will follow Dr. Flammer’s lead and present a literature review of recent papers dealing with diseases of psittacines. 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. http://courses.ncsu.edu/cbs817/common/
EMC WEBSITE
Recent Funding and Publications
Rostein DS, Harms CA, Lovewell GN, Hohn AA. 2007. Gastric leiomyoma in a free-ranging Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Vet Rec 160: 130-131. (Download the PDF)
Tuttle AD, Harms CA, Van Wettere AJNJ, Graffinger MS, Lewbart GA. 2006. Splenic hemangiosarcoma in a corn snake, Elaphe guttata. J Herp Med Surg 16: 140-143. (Download the PDF)
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
MARINE MAMMAL MEDICINE AND PATHOLOGY INTERNSHIP
The Marine Mammal Center in collaboration with the University of California (Davis) has an exciting opportunity for a Veterinary Intern to work in our Veterinary Science Department. This is a one-year internship which is scheduled to start in mid-summer 2007, ending in mid-summer 2008. This position requires a DVM degree or equivalent. Previous marine mammal or wildlife experience is preferred. Preference will also be given to individuals who possess at least one year of clinical veterinary experience. The Marine Mammal Center veterinary staff includes two full-time veterinarians, four veterinary technicians, and a medical laboratory technician. The Veterinary Intern’s responsibilities include assisting the veterinary staff in providing medical management of a large number of marine mammals; mostly pinnipeds who are at The Marine Mammal Center for rehabilitation after having been stranded on the California coast due to injury, disease or malnutrition. The Intern will also be responsible for post mortem examinations, collecting samples for various research projects, and record-keeping. A research paper or case report should be completed during the internship. If interested, please send your resume, cover letter and three professional references to James Lechleitner, Director of Human Resources, The Marine Mammal Center, 1065 Fort Cronkhite, Marin Headlands, Sausalito, CA 94965-2609. The Marine Mammal Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications due no later than May 11th, 2007. If you have further questions regarding this position please contact: Felicia Nutter, Staff Veterinarian, The Marine Mammal Center, 1065 Fort Cronkhite, Marin Headlands, Sausalito, CA 94965, 415-289-7370 nutterf@tmmc.org.
TRAINING POSITION IN ZOOLOGICAL PATHOLOGY
The Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin - Madison, in association with Research Animal Resources Center, University of Wisconsin - Madison, and the Milwaukee County Zoo is seeking a trainee in Zoo Pathology. Qualified applicants must hold a DVM or equivalent degree from an accredited College of Veterinary Medicine and be eligible for licensure in Wisconsin. Since residency training at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine involves the practice of veterinary medicine on privately owned animals, resident trainees are required to be licensed in the state of Wisconsin at the time they begin their residency program. Prospective resident trainees who are graduates of schools that are not accredited by the AVMA must have passed either the NBE and CCT, or the NAVLE in order to obtain a license in Wisconsin. Graduates of schools that are not AVMA approved may register for the NAVLE examination through a limited number of states in the United States. (Some states require enrollment or completion of the ECFVG or similar program) You may want to visit the following web sites to learn more about licensing examinations and processes: www.aavsb.org and www.nbec.org.
Preference will be given to individuals with two or more years of residency training in anatomic pathology. The 2-year program, scheduled to begin July 2007 is designed to provide training and experience to prepare the trainee for a career in zoo, wildlife, avian, aquatic or exotic animal pathology and eligibility to sit the certification examination in anatomic pathology of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists. Stipend is $34,000/yr. Send curriculum vitae and the names of at least three references to:
Dr. R.D. Schultz
Professor and Chair
Department of Pathobiological Sciences
School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin – Madison
2015 Linden Drive West
Madison, Wisconsin 53706-1102
(608) 2623-9888
AQUARIST POSITION
The Waikiki Aquarium has an opening for an aquarist experienced in fish disease including the use of basic disease diagnostic techniques, and the ability to set up proper quarantine and disease treatment
protocols. This position requires a minimum of two years experience at a public aquarium, aquaculture facility, zoological park or equivalent. The position also maintains exhibit tanks and serves as the Hawaiian monk seal backup when primary staff member is away. The position requires a skilled, dedicated and self-motivated individual. The Waikiki Aquarium is the State Aquarium of Hawaii and exhibits tropical and subtropical marine life from the Pacific with an emphasis on marine fish and invertebrates, particularly corals, cephalopods, and giant clams. A complete listing of minimum and desirable qualifications, duties and responsibilities, and minimum salary can be found on the following website: please note the deadline for filing an application is Friday March 30, 2007. Please follow application instructions. [1] http://workatuh.hawaii.edu/zoom_job.php?7263
Application address: Waikiki Aquarium, 2777 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815. Inquiries: Deanna Lee (808) 440-9030; deannal@hawaii.edu.
WILDLIFE HEALTH SPECIALIST
State of Nevada Announces Recruitment for...
WILDLIFE HEALTH SPECIALIST - Veterinary Diagnostician - 10.290
APPROXIMATE ANNUAL SALARY - $55,812.24 to $83,854.08 PAY GRADE: 41
Permanent, full time vacancies as they may occur Statewide. In order to receive consideration, applicants must indicate their availability to work in one or more geographic locations. Department:Wildlife Division: Wildlife Open to All Qualified Persons Applications accepted until recruitment needs are satisfied
ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER 2898
Posted 02/01/07
Direct Inquiries to:
KRISTINA ROSS
(775)688-1522
or email krisr@ndow.org
Assistant Professor Infectious Diseases Of Fish And Wildlife -
The State University of New York – College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) in Syracuse invites applications for an
academic-year, tenure-track position specializing in
Infectious Diseases of Fish and Wildlife. Responsibilities: Successful candidate will excel in teaching, research,
and service in the field of pathogenesis of infectious disease in fish or wildlife populations. Research focused on emerging diseases, including transmission, control, and prevention, is strongly preferred. Activities should complement existing departmental strengths in fish and wildlife science, ecology, conservation biology, and molecular biology. Qualifications: A Ph.D. or Ph.D./D.V.M. with specialization in (1) microbiology, virology, molecular genetics, physiology, epidemiology,
immunology, or pathology, and (2) fish or wildlife biology or conservation medicine. Preference given to candidates with postdoctoral experience, a demonstrated record of scholarly activity, extramural funding, teaching, and service in the area of fish and wildlife diseases. To Apply: Applications should include the following: (1) a letter summarizing qualifications described in this announcement; (2) a curriculum vitae; (3) a statement of research interests; (4) a statement of teaching interests, experience, and philosophy; (5) an elaboration on service interests; and (5) three letters of reference. Electronic submission is highly preferred: send materials to jobs@esf.edu and identify Fish/Wildlife Diseases Search. Alternatively, applications may be mailed to Fish/Wildlife Diseases Search, Human Resources Office, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 216 Bray Hall, One Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY 13210-2778. For optimal consideration, completed application materials must be received by March 1, 2007. Position will remain open until filled; interviews are anticipated during April, 2007. Anticipated start date for this position
is August 1, 2007 For More Information: Contact Lawrence B. Smart (lbsmart@esf.edu; phone 315-470-6737), Fish/Wildlife Diseases Search Committee Chair, SUNY-ESF.
Three Faculty Positions in Wildlife Sciences -
Michigan State University, Zoonotic Disease Policy and Management, Associate Professor/Professor-Wildlife Disease Ecologist/Modeler/Behaviorist, Assistant Professor-Wildlife Epidemiologist and Disease Ecologist, Assistant Professor Departments of Fisheries and Wildlife/College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
and Large Animal Clinical Sciences/ College of Veterinary Medicine These positions involve a joint appointment in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and the Department of Large animal Clinical Sciences. Applicants will serve as core members in the multi-college specialization in Fish and Wildlife Disease Ecology and Conservation Medicine. Candidates will be expected to develop research programs supported by extramural funding, to teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses in their area of specialization, and to interact with local, state, tribal, federal, and international partners on issues related to policy and management to prevent and mitigate the spread of wildlife-borne diseases among wild, domestic animal, and human populations. Qualified candidates for the senior level Zoonotic Disease Policy and Management position: DVM/Ph.D. or Ph.D. in fields related to environmental or natural resources policy studies, including resource economics, political science, or government, or have earned degrees in environmental sciences with an emphasis on policy studies or a related field is required. Demonstrated history of obtaining extramural funding, publishing in scientific and popular arenas and working in multidisciplinary teams required. Qualified candidates for the Wildlife Disease Ecologist/Modeler/Behaviorist position: DVM/Ph.D. in veterinary medicine or Ph.D. in population medicine or wildlife ecology. Candidates must have demonstrated interest in and experience with State Agriculture and Wildlife Management agencies on wildlife biology issues and with a strong quantitative background in epidemiology and particular emphasis in wildlife diseases. Research and outreach experience related to wildlife disease ecology required. Demonstrated experience with wildlife/human/domestic animal interactions with an emphasis on disease mitigation. Qualified candidates for the Wildlife Epidemiologist and Disease Ecologist position: Ph.D. or DVM/Ph.D. in wildlife biology or related field with strong quantitative background and experience in population modeling and/or behavioral ecology. Research and outreach experience related to wildlife disease ecology required. Demonstrated experience with wildlife/human/domestic animal interactions with an emphasis on disease mitigation. Detailed position descriptions can be obtained at: http://hr.msu.edu/HRsite/HiringPostings/Faculty/Postings/JobPostings/TenurePostings.htm Applications are due March 2, 2007 or until suitable candidates are identified. Michigan State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Send letter of interest; curriculum vitae; description of relevant experience, expertise, and professional goals; and names and contact information for three references to Professor Donald Garling, Search Committee Chair, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, 13 Natural Resources Building, East Lansing, MI 48824. Electronic submissions are preferred, email: garlingd@msu.edu and include either Zoonotic Disease Policy, Wildlife Ecologist, or Wildlife Epidemiologist at the start of the subject line in email correspondence regarding these positions.
Post-Doctoral Fellowship/Research Associate
University of Calgary - Available Immediately A Post-Doctoral fellowship position investigating disease ecology of declining caribou populations is available immediately at the new Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary (UCVM). Caribou populations across much of the Canadian Arctic are undergoing drastic declines (up to 80%). The role of parasitic and infectious disease in these declines is not known. The goal of this research is to develop, validate, and apply innovative disease surveillance techniques to investigate the role of infectious diseases in the population dynamics of caribou. This research is a component of a multi-disciplinary International Polar Year initiative of the CircumArctic Rangifer Monitoring and Assessment (CARMA) Network to investigate "Global Change, Resilience and Human-Rangifer Systems of the CircumArctic" . The successful applicant will also be immersed in the Research Group for Arctic Parasitology (RGAP), a dynamic, international, multi-agency team of veterinarians, biologists, wildlife managers, and research scientists.
Research Program: The successful applicant will be in charge of this research program. This will include: 1) evaluating the use of dried-blood-on-filter paper for disease surveillance in caribou; 2) working closely with hunters from remote Arctic communities to establish evaluate practical community-based sampling techniques for disease surveillance of caribou; 3) determining disease and parasite exposure/occurrence in select caribou herds across Canada; and 4) determining risk factors for disease exposure and occurrence in the reference herds. The successful applicant will work closely with members of RGAP and CARMA to collect and analyze data. She/he will also be expected to participate in teaching and mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students.
Requirements: DVM or equivalent and a PhD. Candidates with a PhD and experience in disease ecology may be considered. Excellent written and spoken English. Experience with wildlife, disease ecology/epidemiology, and working in cross-cultural settings is an advantage. An excellent attitude, adaptability, leadership and communication skills, ability to work and communicate with people from diverse backgrounds, and ability to work under remote, adverse, and often trying climatic conditions are essential. The position will begin as soon as a suitable applicant is identified. More information on the position is available from: Dr. Susan Kutz, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Tel. 1 403 210-3824; E-mail: skutz@ucalgary.c
Epidemiology Fellow
Lincoln Park Zoo - Posting Period: February 6, 2007 - until the position is filled. This position will implement program goals for North American zoological surveillance programs, specifically avian influenza, West Nile virus and tuberculosis, collaborate with all other LPZ C&S Centers, especially the AZA population management center, and link between AZA and external partners such as USDA, CDC, USGS etc. Expertise in the specific areas covered in 'essential job functions';
Strong computer, organizational (project management), and communication
skills (written and spoken); Commitment to wildlife conservation through
management of wild and captive populations, and willingness to
participate in the department's team approach to conservation research
projects. A graduate degree in epidemiology, research experience and experience
managing large surveillance networks is required. Medical degree
(MD/DVM) and postgraduate epidemiology training is preferred. Training in epidemiological study design, surveillance and risk assessment / modeling.
Experience participating in and/or leading large collaborative projects/workshops.Please send cover letter, resume, and completed application to:
Lincoln Park Zoo, Human Resources Dept - Epidemiology Fellow
PO Box14903
Chicago,Illinois 60614
FAX:(312) 742-2299
(No phone calls please)
For a printable version of our application, visit our website.
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.
Support the EMC through Amazon.com and IGIVE.COM
Amazon.com:
Amazon.com is now supporting the EMC by donating a percentage of the cost of each purchase made by anyone who shops at their online mega store by entering through a special link on the EMC WEBSITE. So, if Amazon.com is part of your life, you can help support the great programs of the EMC everytime you shop. But remember, it only counts if you enter through the web portal on our own website at www.friendsofemc.org.
iGive:
If you shop online for anything at all, consider joining igive.com and shopping through them. If you register your preference to help the Environmental Medicine Consortium, a small percentage of the amount of each of your purchases is returned to the Environmental Medicine operating fund. Even the little purchases add up, and it is relatively painless. The cost of your purchase is the same. Participating stores simply make donations based on your purchase amounts.
If you join iGive.com and make a purchase within 45 days from one of 642 or so participating stores, iGive.com will donate an additional $5 FREE to the EMC.
HOW IT WORKS
- Join to Support Environmental Medicine Consortium by going to the iGive site.
- Shop the Mall at iGive.com