1. LINNEHAN PREPARES FOR 4TH MISSION
EMC faculty member Dr. Rick Linnehan is busy preparing for his fourth mission in space these days as a mission specialist on STS-123 a flight to deliver the first component of the Japanese Experiment Module Kibo and the new Canadian Dextre robotics system to the international space station. The mission on the Space Shuttle Endeavor was targeted to launch in Dec of 2007 but now has a 10 minute launch window on February 18th, 2008 from pad 39A. Navy Capt. Dominic L. Gorie will command the mission and Air Force Col. Gregory H. Johnson will serve as the pilot.
Mission specialists will include NASA astronauts Richard M. Linnehan; Air Force Maj. Robert L. Behnken; and Navy Capt. Michael J. Foreman. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Takao Doi also will serve as a mission specialist. The mission will also deliver a new station crew member, NASA Astronaut Garrett Reisman to the complex and return European Space Agency astronaut Leopold Eyharts to Earth.
The mission will include four spacewalks to install the new hardware. STS-123 will be the fourth spaceflight for Dr. Linnehan, who is one of the most experience space walkers in NASA. He has flown on STS-78 in 1996 and STS-90 in 1998. During STS-109 in 2002, he performed three spacewalks to service the Hubble Space Telescope. For more information about the mission, visit the NASA site.
2. SPELMAN TOUCHES DOWN IN NORTH CAROLINA
A few weeks ago Dr. Lucy Spelman (Zool Res ’93) made a quick touchdown in North Carolina to visit family and organize things stateside before heading back to Rwanda to continue her management of the health issues affecting Mountain Gorillas there as a field veterinarian for the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project. She reports the insitu veterinarians are doing good work and there are certainly more than enough challenges to keep her busy.
She has been writing a major blog for Discovery on her experiences in Rwanda and EMC members will find it very interesting. The recent gorilla slaughter is covered, but much much more. An excellent story filed on July 13th tells of the amazing experiences Dr. Spelman had when given the honor of naming a young gorilla at Rwanda’s annual ceremony called Kwita Izina where all of the years youngsters receive their names.
Dr. Spelman had the opportunity to choose the name for a young male gorilla she knew quite well from all of the challenges the youngster had faced early in life requiring her attention. She chose the name Umoja which in Swahili stands for “unity”. Visit the blog for that story and many more. Also, the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project website has undergone a major revision and you may find it interesting to visit.
3. DR VALENTINE REPORTS FROM THE WILDS
Dr. Hope Valentine (DVM ’07) reports in that she is settling into her internship with Dr. Barbara Wolfe at The Wilds in Ohio. She has been getting some frontline experience while the resident at The Wilds is in Africa, and despite some anxiety at the responsibility seems to be managing well. Her fresh water mussel studies are getting of the ground and she is finding the research just as exhilarating as the clinical work. She sends her warm regards to all.
4. NEW EMC FAMILY MEMBERS
Two EMC families are experiencing the joy of new additions since our last newsletter, both weekend arrivals. Lucas Haulena was born July 29th at 1:21 am weighing in at 8 pounds and 14 ounces. The added excitement of a ferry ride and an ambulance ride through a celebrating Vancouver kept new parents Marty and Katy on their toes. Sister Zofie and the Haulena pet clan of Bowmore, Molly and Fish, all approve of their new brother.
Not to be outdone, the Tom Kwak family is delighted to announce the arrival of Alexandra Judith Skye Kwak who was born at 10:49PM on 8 August 2007 (her Dad's birthday). She weighed in at 6 lb 9 oz, and is a very healthy baby. Though no ferry ride was involved, enough twists and turns in logistics and 20 hours of labor will make Alex’s arrival memorable for all involved.
5. JOURNALS FOR IRAQI ZOO VETS
Dr. Scott Willens (PhD ’05) is seeking donations of journals and relevant materials that EMC’er’s may be discarding to support the development of the Iraqi veterinarians responsible for the care of the animals at the Baghdad Zoo. He reports that even old journals and books would be of value and he is particularly hoping to find old issues of the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. He is working in concert with Dr. Sharon Williams from the USDA and other US Army veterinarians to develop training programs for the Iraqi zoo veterinarians. If you have items you would like to contribute, contact Dr. Willens directly through his email at scott.willens@4bct.25id.pac.army.mil
6. EVANS WINS IN STUDENT AAV COMPETITION
Rikki Evans (DVM ’08) received the student manuscript of the year from the Association of Avian Veterinarians presented at the annual meeting of the organization in Providence, RI. She was invited to present her findings at the AAV annual meeting and received a plaque and $500 cash award.
The title of her manuscript was “Treatment of Spiral Bacterial Infection in Cockatiels with Doxycycline Medicated Drinking Water” co-authored with Laura L Wade, DVM, DABVP (Avian) and Keven Flammer, DVM, DABVP (Avian). The manuscript was the result of her summer research project with Dr. Flammer and was funded by a Frontiers in Veterinary Medicine grant from the Geraldine Dodge Foundation. The manuscript has been submitted to the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association for publication.
7. GRADUATE STUDENT RECEPTION
A reception will be held at the CVM Blue Commons to welcome graduate students associated with several graduate programs involving CVM faculty, including the new students of the Fisheries and Wildlife PhD program. The reception and a brief introduction of those attending will be held on Thursday, August 16 from 4.00 - 5.00pm to give the students an opportunity to meet Program Directors, student services personnel, and graduate faculty in addition to their mentors, and current graduate students in the CBS, DVM-PhD, Physiology, Immunology, Fisheries and Wildlife and Veterinary Public Health graduate programs. Dean Arden and Dr Olson will be present to provide welcoming comments, together with Jeff Huckel and Charles Clift from student services. The CBS 817 course will delay it’s start to 4:30 pm to help accommodate the event.
8. ADVANCED TOPICS IN ZOOLOGICAL MEDICINE RESUMES
CBS 817, Advanced Topics in Zoological Medicine will resume again this Thursday, August 16th for another semester of interesting discussion of key issues in health management of fisheries and wildlife species. Dr. Kennedy-Stoskopf, course coordinator reports that the reading assignments have been posted at the CBS 817 website and students and faculty are encouraged to mark the site on their browsers and visit it often. In response to resident requests, all of the notes from the past three years of the class have also been posted and are available to students for study.
This week’s presentation (August 16th) will be provided by Dr. Ryan DeVoe who will talk on Artiodactylid health issues.
Next week’s presentation (August 23rd ) will be a clinical literature review of artiodactylid health issues presented by Dr. Karen Wolf.
The August 30th presentation will be a grand rounds presentation given by Dr. Sathya Chinnadurai. The topical quiz will be provided by Dr. DeVoe.
September 6th, Dr. Kennedy-Stoskopf will round out the hooved stock discussion with a presentation on health issues of Perissodactylids.
Dr. Sathya Chinnadurai will present the clinical literature review for Perissodactylids on September 13th.
All of the sessions will be given in D-239 N and teleconferenced to CMAST and the NC Zoo’s Hanes Veterinary Hospital. Sessions begin at 4:15 and go to 6 pm, although the August 16th session will begin at 4:30 to accommodate the graduate student reception that day.
EMC WEBSITE
RECENT FUNDING AND PUBLICATIONS
Harms, C.A., M. K. Stoskopf. 2007. Outcomes of Adoption of Adult Laboratory Ferrets After Gonadectomy during a Veterinary Student Teaching Exercise. Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science. 46(4): 50-54. Download the PDF
Choi K, Lehmann DW, Harms CA, Law JM. 2007. Acute hypoxia-reperfusion triggers immunocompromise in Nile tilapia. J. Aquatic Anim. Health 19:128-140.Download the PDF
Dombrowksi, D and De Voe, R. Emergency Care of Invertebrates. Vet Clin North Am Exotic Anim Pract. 2007;10(2):621-645.
Clayton, L and Gore, S. Amphibian Emergency Medicine. Vet Clin North Am Exotic Anim Pract. 2007;10(2):587-620.
J. M. Law. Assessment of the Biological Effects Resulting from Chronic Exposure of a Model Fish Species – Japanese medaka, Oryizias latipes, to Mixtures of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons. Phase II: Contamination Through the Food Chain. Granting Agency: Seine-Aval, France $16,333 (subcontract to University of LeHavre, France)
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
REGIONAL FIELD VETERINARIAN – RWANDA
The Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, MGVP, Inc. is advertising for a regional field veterinarian to work with Dr. Spelman. The regional veterinarian would be responsible for the clinical and administrative responsibilities of the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project in Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The contract is for one year with possible extensions. Applicants should have experience with great apes; travel in foreign countries and conversational French. Past research and pathology experience is a plus. The regional veterinarians are housed in Ruhengeri, Rwanda with frequent travel to the other countries. Applicants should apply to Dr. Mike Cranfield c/o the Medical Department, the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Druid Hill Park, Baltimore, MD, 21217, mrcranfi@bcpl.net, no later than September 10, 2007. Orientation for the successful applicant begins in October, with a start date of November 1, 2007.
FISHERIES GRADUATE STUDENT POSITION
Department of Microbiology or Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon is seeking a graduate student to conduct research on the effects of a myxozoan parasite (Ceratomyxa shasta) on salmonids in the Klamath River, OR/CA. The student will work closely with State, Federal, and Tribal agencies on strategies for reducing mortality caused by this parasite in juvenile Chinook and coho salmon. Research will involve field monitoring, laboratory studies and molecular diagnostics.
The student is expected to assist in writing reports and to develop a dissertation and publish results in high quality journals. Must have a B.S. in Microbiology, Fisheries, or a closely related field. The student must have a strong interest in Fish Health, Disease Ecology or Epidemiology research, a minimum GPA of 3.0. GRE scores are required and will be considered. Eligibility requires admission into Microbiology or Fisheries science graduate degree programs and applicants must apply to the Graduate School through the OSU Graduate Admissions Office: Salary: $21,000 plus full tuition and 75% subsidy toward graduate-assistant health insurance premium. Contact: Send CV (please include GPA and GRE scores) and letter of interest to Jerri Bartholomew, Department of Microbiology, Nash Hall 220, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331; or Email: bartholj@science.oregonstate.edu
Phone: (541) 737-1856.
Website or this link.
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR/ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, MARINE SCIENCE/AQUARIUM SCIENCE
Savannah State University, a unit of the University System of Georgia, located in Savannah, Georgia, seeks a faculty member to serve as lead instructor for a new aquarium science certificate program. The position involves developing and teaching new courses (e.g. Aquaculture/aquarium systems design and life support, Nutrition, disease and health management, Water and environmental quality, Aquarium science internship), possible other relevant teaching assignments, developing advertising and recruitment materials and recruiting, coordinating student internships at partner national, regional, and/or local public aquaria, and contributing to implementation of a Savannah State University/The Georgia Aquarium Cooperative Agreement. We seek an individual who can also advise undergraduate students, graduate students, and develop research programs. Applicants should have earned a Ph.D. degree in a field related to marine sciences.
Competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience; excellent benefits. Marine Science degree programs, faculty, and other information are all available at this site.
Review of applications will begin September 4, 2007. Position begins in January 2, 2008. Send application including a current curriculum vita, names, addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers of three references, and a letter summarizing research/teaching experience, career goals, and ability to teach undergraduate and graduate classes currently offered at SSU to: Chair, Marine Science Faculty Search Committee, Post Office Box 20600, Savannah State University, Savannah, GA 31404
ASSISTANT EXTENSION/RESEARCH PROFESSOR, FOOD SCIENCE
Mississippi State University’s Coastal Research and Extension Center is seeking applicants for an Extension/Research, non-tenure track position based in Biloxi. This person is responsible for development and coordination of research & extension programs focusing on fisheries food processing, food safety, and related topics. Additionally, this person will be responsible for managing the Experimental Seafood Processing Laboratory in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
Ph.D. in Food Science or closely related discipline. Candidates that are ABD will be considered. For a complete position description, visit: https://www.jobs.msstate.edu/ and search under Coastal Research and Extension Center. Review of applicants will begin August 15, 2007 and continue until position is filled. Applicants should apply online and submit a detailed vita. Official transcripts and three letters of reference should be mailed to: Dr. Patricia R. Knight, Head, Coastal Research and Extension Center, 1815 Popps Ferry Road, Biloxi, MS 39532. Candidates should complete the Personal Data Information Form on line. Requests for additional information can be made to tricia@ra.msstate.edu or 228-388-4710.
RESEARCH COORDINATOR - COASST
(Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team - www.coasst.org) is a citizen science project dedicated to involvement and action, using marine birds as environmental indicators. With beaches throughout the coastal areas of the North Pacific, COASST volunteers provide long-term baseline
data on seabird beaching, used to assess the patterns and causes of seabird mortality. More than 400 trained volunteers now monitor over 250 sites in coastal Washington, Oregon, California, and Alaska.
Responsible for maintaining daily operations of the COASST office; develop and refine data collection protocols for 400 COASST volunteers; verify accuracy of data collected by volunteers; produce audience-specific communications products including quarterly newsletters and an annual report for volunteers, conservation alerts, and public presentations; grant writing and budgeting; assisting in data analyses and writing for scientific publications; and working on special projects including new field keys, and dedicated short-term volunteer data collection efforts. Requirements: Bachelor's degree in biology/related field plus at least one year of related experience, demonstrated database experience, demonstrated organizational skills to include managing multiple tasks and establishing clear priorities in a highly dynamic environment, excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills with demonstrated success in communicating with a variety of audiences, flexible and available for travel for collection and volunteer coordination including occasional nights and weekends, ability to lift/move up to 60 pounds. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website. The listing and links to application can be found here. Applications must be submitted through the University of Washington employment website. Req#33997
DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
St. Matthew’s University, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. Job website: www.stmatthews.edu St. Matthew’s SVM is an AVMA listed school, whose charter class began in September, 2005. Students spend 7 semesters on Grand Cayman Island, then move to the United States for the clinical year at one of several AVMA-accredited veterinary schools.
At present, the school is noteworthy for high faculty-to-student ratio, for excellent living conditions on Grand Cayman Island, and for rewarding teaching opportunities. The addition of a new, 5500 square foot clinical teaching facility adds greatly to the potential for development of the hands-on aspect of the preclinical program. Applicants must have a D.V.M, M.D. and/or a Ph.D.degree (or equivalent), demonstrated excellence in scholarly activity and research; experience in teaching and mentoring students; and must meet the University requirements for appointment as a full professor. Administrative experience is highly desirable. Contact: Human REsources, Orlando, FL, St. Matthew’s University, Cayman Islands email: HR@stmatthews.edu.
PROFESSOR AND CHAIR OF DEPARTMENT OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Departmental website: The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University invites nominations and applications for the position of Professor and Chair, Department of Biomedical Sciences. The School seeks an academic leader who will foster intellectual productivity and collegiality within a talented group of basic scientists, anatomical and clinical veterinary pathologists, and educators. The ideal candidate`s research should complement school strengths in liver/gastrointestinal diseases, pulmonology, reproductive biology, or infectious diseases. He/she will cultivate an environment of excellence in research, clinical service and teaching at departmental and school levels. He/she will also interface effectively with a dynamic biomedical and life sciences community of scholars and educators throughout the University, and promote communication and cooperation with internal and external constituents. Candidates should submit a curriculum vitae, a short letter describing their qualifications and administrative philosophy, and the names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of four references. All nominations and applications should be submitted electronically to Dr. George Saperstein, Chair, Search Committee at george.saperstein@tufts.edu. Application review will begin August 15, 2007 and will continue until the position is filled. For questions, e-mail or call 508-839-8725.
AQUARIUM VETERINARIAN South Carolina Aquarium. Seeking a DVM or VMD graduate from an accredited university with experience working at a public aquarium or related facility who possess all required licenses to practice veterinary medicine in South Carolina. The person in this position will be responsible for the health of the living collection (with special emphasis placed on small mammals, birds and reptiles) at the South Carolina Aquarium including being the primary health care provider for the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Rescue Program. They will work closely with the husbandry staff as an educator and involve them whenever possible., and coordinate clinical research. For additional information contact Jason Crichton, Director of Husbandry & Facilities, South Carolina Aquarium, Phone: (843) 579-8595; email: jcrichton@scaquarium.org ; Website: http://www.scaquarium.org
DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL HEALTH
The New England Aquarium is seeking an energetic and experienced veterinarian to provide direction for its Animal Health and Rescue/Rehabilitation programs.The Director will be responsible for setting strategic priorities; managing staff and budget; and collaborating with research, conservation, and education programs. The director will also share emergency clinical coverage with staff veterinarians. The Director of Animal Health position requires a minimum of seven years of veterinary practice experience, including a minimum of five years in an aquarium or zoo, and a minimum of five years in a management position. A strong science background, including peer reviewed publications and an advanced degree in biological sciences is desirable. Salary is commensurate with experience; excellent fringe benefit package. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to: Director of Human Resources, New England Aquarium, Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110-3399. No phone calls please. Qualified minority, female, veteran and disabled candidates are encouraged to apply.
ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE/FULL PROFESSOR OF EXOTIC PETS AND ZOOLOGICAL MEDICINE
The Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences is seeking applicants for a tenure track or clinical track faculty position in exotic pets and zoological medicine. Salary and rank will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. A DVM degree or equivalent is required. Completion of clinical residency training and board certification (or eligibility) by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Avian Practice) or the American College of Zoological Medicine is required. Eligibility for faculty licensure in the state of Oklahoma is required. Duties will include: clinical service and teaching including oversight of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital Zoo, Exotic and Wildlife service, instruction in the didactic portion of the pre-clinical veterinary medical curriculum, and Scholarly work. Collaboration with established research faculty within the College and University is encouraged. Application review will begin as they are received and the position will remain open until filled. Applications should include a letter of intent with statement of professional goals, curriculum vitae, and names and addresses of three references. Inquiries or applications should be sent to: Dr. Charles MacAllister, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-2042, (405) 744-8472, FAX (405) 744-6265, email: cmacall@okstate.edu.
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