2026 Research Symposium
35th Annual Research Symposium
March 27, 2026, 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Venue: The Inn at Virginia Tech
Theme: From Molecules to Ecosystems: Integrating Animal and Human Health Research
Welcome Letter
Welcome to the 35th VMCVM Research Symposium
Welcome to the 35th Annual Research Symposium of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. This year’s theme, “From Molecules to Ecosystems: Integrating Animal and Human Health Research,” was chosen to represent the incredible range of inquiry in which our students and researchers are engaged.
The symposium is a joint effort between the Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences (BMVS) graduate program, the VMCVM Research Committee, chaired by Dr. Coy Allen, and the VMCVM Graduate Affairs Committee, chaired by Dr. Kirsten Nielsen. The event gives students the opportunity to present their work and for departments to showcase their areas of emphasis.
We are honored to host Dr. Eli Vlaisavljevich as our keynote speaker. Dr. Vlaisavljevich is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics at Virginia Tech, where he directs the Therapeutic Ultrasound and Non-Invasive Therapies Laboratory. With a groundbreaking clinical trial named in memory of his mother and work ranging from cancer to conservation with multiple collaborators in the VMCVM, Dr. Vlaisavljevich exemplifies the theme of the Symposium.
The symposium program features four faculty research talks representing the four departments within the college, and eight graduate student oral presentations. The student oral presentations were selected through an abstract review process in which BMVS students participated in a professional development session on abstract writing and review. We commend all of our student researchers for their hard work and scholarly contributions. Every student who submitted an abstract is presenting a poster today, and we encourage all attendees to engage with them and learn more about their work.
This event would not be possible without the dedication and support of the individuals in the RGS office, including Dr. Shannon Johnson, Liz Bowman, Monica Taylor, Brad Bryson, and Brad Ohlinger. I am also grateful to the members of the VMCVM Research and Graduate Affairs Committees:
- From Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology: Drs. Coy Allen, Erin Gloag, Paul Morton, James Weger, Kirsten Nielsen, Xin Luo
- From Small Animal Clinical Sciences: Drs. Go Togawa, Orsi Balogh, Ashley Wilkinson
- From Large Animal Clinical Sciences: Drs. Sophie Bogers, Becky Funk, Sebastian Umana Sedo
- From Population Health Sciences: Drs. Ryan Calder, Julie Gohlke
Thank you to the graduate students serving on the Graduate Affairs Committee, Doug Pluta, Jillian Green, and Abraham Adeyemo, who helped plan the professional development training. We greatly appreciate the students in the BMVS; Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health; Neuroscience; Biological Science; and Biomedical Engineering programs who participated in the symposium.
Thank you to our faculty for their dedication in mentoring these future scientists and clinicians. Without you all, there would be no discovery.
Dr. Margie Lee
Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies Program
Director, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences Graduate Program
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7 a.m. | Check-in, Registration, and Continental Breakfast |
| 8 a.m. | Dean's Welcome |
| 8:15 a.m. | Keynote Address: Eli Vlaisavljevich |
| 9:15 a.m. | Block 1 |
| 10 a.m. | Break/Networking |
| 10:15 a.m. | Block 2 |
| 11 a.m. | Lunch |
| 12 - 1 p.m. | Even Numbered Posters |
| 1 - 2 p.m. | Odd Numbered Posters |
| 2 p.m. | Block 3 Faculty Speaker: Jamie Stewart Graduate Student Speaker: Carson Hoffman Graduate Student Speaker: Esteban Jimenez Arrieta |
| 2:45 p.m. | Break/Networking |
| 3 p.m. | Block 4 Faculty Speaker: Joanne Tuohy Graduate Student Speaker: Alexandra Cleversley Graduate Student Speaker: Andrianna Krippaehne |
| 3:45 p.m. | Award Announcements |
| 4 p.m. | Adjourn |
Eli Vlaisavljevich, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering
Virginia Tech
Dr. Vlaisavljevich received a BSE from Michigan Technological University and a MS and PhD in Biomedical Engineering from University of Michigan. He trained for two years as a postdoc at Michigan and a concurrent stint as a product engineer.
"Bubbles, Buddha, and Beyond: Development of Histotripsy and other Focused Ultrasound Technologies for Humans and Animals"
Focused ultrasound (FUS) is a rapidly expanding field that has grown exponentially over the last decade. There are more than 170 applications for FUS in medicine spanning the entire translation spectrum. Histotripsy is the first completely non-invasive, non-ionizing, and non-thermal ablation technology. Guided by real-time imaging, histotripsy uses FUS to achieve precise and tissue-selective mechanical tissue ablation. Histotripsy utilized short-duration high pressure ultrasound pulses to produce an acoustic cavitation “bubble cloud” that renders targeted tissue into acellular debris with high precision and tissue selectivity. After treatment, histotripsy ablation zones can be immediately visualized using standard imaging modalities including ultrasound, CT, and MRI. The material in the histotripsy ablation regions is rapidly absorbed by the body, often within 1-2 months depending on the size of the ablation zone, leaving a minimal remnant scar. In the first part of this talk, Dr. Vlaisavljevich will discuss his research investigating the physical mechanisms underlying histotripsy tissue ablation as well as the bench-to-bedside development of histotripsy for the treatment of liver cancer. In the second part of this talk, Dr. Vlaisavljevich will discuss ongoing translational research efforts at Virginia Tech that are working to advance histotripsy and other FUS technologies forward within a unique One Health framework to translate research discoveries into clinical practice for both veterinary and human patients. These projects include multiple collaborative research projects with VMCVM faculty at various stages along a bench-to-kennel-to-bedside development pathway including veterinary clinical trials for dogs (sarcoma, lipoma, liver cancer, oral tumors, bone cancer, and brain cancer), cats (kidney stones, sarcoma), and horses (sarcoid tumors). Finally, Dr. Vlaisavljevich will discuss current efforts to expand interdisciplinary collaborations between VMCVM, the College of Engineering, and other units across Virginia Tech in order to expand translational FUS research into clinical practice for both veterinary and human patients across the world suffering from cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurologic disorders, infections, and many other applications.
Faculty Speaker
Nisha Duggal, PhD
Associate Professor, Virology
"Transmission and emergence of zoonotic mosquito-borne viruses"
Wild birds are the reservoir for West Nile virus, which is a zoonotic mosquito-borne virus that was introduced into the U.S. in 1999 and causes severe neuroinvasive disease in humans and animals. Viral adaptation to corvids is thought to have driven global emergence of West Nile virus. Other closely related viruses including Japanese encephalitis virus and Usutu virus are emerging globally, with new introductions into Australia and Europe, respectively. My lab is interested in understanding the drivers of continued emergence of mosquito-borne viruses across the globe. We use avian and mosquito models to investigate the factors that influence viral transmission. We have found that Usutu virus is uniquely adapted to thrushes and that North American species are capable of transmitting Japanese encephalitis virus and Usutu virus. This work will contribute to our understanding of the factors that influence transmission and emergence of mosquito-borne viruses.
Graduate Student Speakers
Jinger Lei
Title: "Extracellular membrane vesicles, a previous unrecognized component of Staphylococcus aureus biofilms"
Sai Navya Vadlamudi
Title: "Yeast-engineered nanobodies as a platform for human norovirus and rotavirus immunoprevention, therapy, and early detection"
Faculty Speaker
Jan Eberth, PhD, MSPH, FACE
Department Head, Population Health Sciences
Professor, Epidemiology and Health Services Research and Policy
"Advancing rural cancer equity through research, policy and practice"
Rural populations in the United States experience disproportionately high cancer incidence and mortality, reflecting deepening disparities in access to prevention, early detection, and treatment services. This presentation examines rural cancer inequities through an integrated research, policy, and practice lens, with particular emphasis on the application of epidemiologic methods and geospatial analysis. By assessing cancer burden, service availability, and travel time to care, we highlight how place-based factors and social determinants shape cancer outcomes in rural communities. The presentation also explores policy and practice-based opportunities to strengthen rural health infrastructure and expand access to care.
Graduate Student Speakers
Aliya McCullough
Title: "Demographic factors of dog owners and dogs with pet health insurance"
Matthew Irwin
Title: "K48-Ubiquitin enrichment reveals host and viral protein-specific ubiquintination patterns in HSV-1 and HSV-2 infected neurons"
2. Alexis Mann
4. Mahfuzul Islam
6. Caroline Holdren
8. Tian Xu
10. Andrew Chitwood
12. Cassandra Poole
14. Manali Power
16. Priscilla Atim
18. Carson Hoffman (ORAL)
20. Nour Alkashef
22. Ahmed Abouelkhair
24. Janice O’Brien
26. Nadine Altmann
28. Tamalika Paul
30. Taiwo T Ijatuyi
32. Sofia Killar
34. Liyan Zhang
36. Brice Stolz
38. Alexandra Cleversley (ORAL)
40. Ama Amoakoma Agyei
42. Matthew Irwin (ORAL)
44. Ny Luong
46. Mathew Landivar
48. Samantha McCarter
50. Ian Taylor
52. Martin Antwi Boasiako
54. Ammar Khan
56. Peyton Kim-LaTona
58. Padmaja Mandadi
60. Jillian Green
62. Syeda Nahid Fatema
64. Mackenzie Woolls
66. Hilary Montano
68. Sulaiman Dawood
70. Marianne Beaulieu
72. Douglas Pluta
74. AbdullahiJamiu
76. Annie Showers
78. Elise Hennessy
1. Gabriela Carniero de Sousa
3. Kimberly Martinez
5. Leanne Jankelunas
7. Esteban Jimenez Arrieta (ORAL)
9. Vikram Kahlon
11. Si Hyung (Noah) Lyou
13. Jillian Marshall
15. Abraham Adeyemo
17. Lezith Chavez
19. Kateland Tiller
21. Elizabeth Harris
23. Rachel Persinger
25. Carley Elliott
27. Elliana Vickers
29. Marlie Nightengale
31. Natalie Rivera Viscal
33. Sai Navya Vadlamudi (ORAL)
35. Kylie Galla
37. Andrianna Krippaehne (ORAL)
39. Dima Hajj Ali
41. Aliya McCullough (ORAL)
43. Minsung Kim
45. Myriam Martin Benito
47. Hailey Bullard
49. Raul Lopez
51. Ghazal Soleymani
53. Taylor Nolen
55. Hsin (Jasmine) Yeh
57. Jonathan Ellis-Smith
59. Michaela Hall
61. Samuel Edwards
63. Rafaela Machado Flor
65. Jinger Lei (ORAL)
67. Shannon Carney
69. Abdallah Abdelsattar
71. Prince Obeng
73. Caitlin Armstrong
75. Md Mahabub Arefin Chowdhury
77. Suzanne Pinar
79. Claire Read
Faculty Speaker
Jamie Stewart, DVM, PhD, MS, DACT
Associate Professor, Production Management Medicine
"Improving Late Gestation Monitoring in Ewes"
Peri-parturient diseases, such as pregnancy ketosis, are major causes of morbidity and mortality in late gestation small ruminants. Early clinical signs can be vague and are easily missed by owners, with diagnosis commonly occurring in advanced stages, once prognosis has declined. Early detection of these diseases with blood analyte screening and activity monitoring may allow for improved treatment success. We have found a variety of differences in blood analytes, including ketones, potassium, and BUN/creatinine ratios as healthy ewes approach parturition and are currently exploring the use of another test that measures immunological changes in the periparturient period. We are also validating the use of collar and leg-mounted activity monitors to assess the percentage of time spent lying in the final weeks of pregnancy. We plan to further explore these tools in future studies with experimentally induced pregnancy ketosis to confirm their usefulness in detecting early signs of disease.
Graduate Student Speakers
Carson Hoffman
Title: "Histotripsy dispersal of Staphylococcus aureus from synovial-fluid biofilms"
Esteban Jimenez Arrieta
Title: "Evaluating the Impact of Isolation on Recovery from Bovine Respiratory Disease in Group-Housed Dairy Calves"
Faculty Speaker
Joanne Tuohy, DVM, PhD, DACVS–Small Animal
Associate Professor, Production Management Medicine
"Non-invasive histotripsy focused ultrasound ablation to improve cancer treatment for pets and people"
Histotripsy is a promising novel focused ultrasound tumor ablation technology that mechanically disintegrates tumors in a non-invasive and non-ionizing fashion, and has potential to induce an anti-tumor immune response. Thus excitingly, histotripsy can serve the dual purpose of eliminating the primary tumor non-invasively and mitigating metastatic disease to improve cancer treatments and disease outcomes. Histotripsy was FDA-cleared for treating liver cancers in October 2023, and is currently in clinical trials for pancreatic and renal cancers. Histotripsy has the potential to benefit patients with many cancer types, but translational research is needed to expand its clinical applications. The biological similarities between cancers in pets and people create a powerful comparative oncology framework in which research in both species can synergistically accelerate the development of histotripsy-based cancer therapies.
Graduate Student Speakers
Alexandra Cleversley
Title: "Evaluation of thyroid stimulating hormone measured by bulk acoustic wave assay in cats with nonthyroidal illness and as a predictor of survival"
Andrianna Krippaehne
Title: "Imaging Diagnosis – A Feline Sliding Hiatal Hernia Demonstrated in Four Modalities: Ultrasound, Radiography, Fluoroscopy, and Computed Tomography"
Phi Zeta Manuscript Awards
The Phi Zeta Manuscript Award competition occurs annually. Each chapter may submit one manuscript in each of the two categories, Basic Science and Clinical Science. The lead author must be a veterinarian who has been involved in a graduate or resident program in the last two years, and the manuscript must be published or accepted for publication.
2026 Phi Zeta Manuscript Award Recipient: Ahmed Abouelkhair
- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place Poster Presentation
As evaluated by VMCVM Research Committee and Graduate Affairs Committee - People's Choice Award for Poster Presentation
2026 Poster Presentation Award Recipients
First Place: Kateland (Katie) Tiller
Second Place: Rachel Persigner
Third Place: Shannon Carney
People's Choice: Taiwo T. Ijatuyi
Oral Presentation Awards
- Outstanding Research Abstract Awards
2026 Oral Presentation Award Recipient: Sai Navya Vadlamundi
