Issue 20,  September -October 2011

Dania Villarnovo New MVSc-Resident in Clinical Pathology

Dr. Dania Villarnovo is originally from Miami, Florida. She obtained a BSc in biology from Brown University and after working for two years in a developmental biology laboratory as a research assistant, she pursued her veterinary degree at the University of California, Davis. Over the past year, Dania has worked in a small animal practice and as an instructor in a veterinary technology program in Missouri. She has a strong interest in Clinical Pathology and is excited to be in the combined residency and Master of Veterinary Science program taking part in diagnostic service, training of veterinary students, rounds, research and coursework. Dania will be working under the supervision of Drs. Shelley Burton and Barbara Horney.

Carlos Lopez New MVSc-Resident in Anatomic Pathology

Dr. Carlos Lopez obtained his veterinary degree at the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain.  He worked in a mixed practice before moving to the UK where he worked as an Official Veterinary Surgeon.  Following this, he enrolled at Surrey University in England where he completed an MSc in Toxicology.  He worked as a toxicological pathologist in a UK contract research laboratory.  His goal is to become a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathology.  In light of this goal, he applied and was admitted to the MVSc-Residency program at AVC. Regarding this program, Carlos says, “I am truly delighted to be at the Path Micro Department since it has a unique combination of teaching strength, a great atmosphere and an impressive ACVP board passing rate by previous residents.” Carlos will be working under the Supervision of Drs. Paul Hanna and Alfonso Lopez. 

Sarah McConnachie New PhD Student in Aquaculture

 Sarah McConnachie joined us this fall as a new PhD student working under Dr. David Speare. Sarah will be working with Dr. Speare as part of the NSERC-CIMTA Network geared towards developing multi-trophic polyculture as an alternative to monoculture. During her undergraduate degree, Sarah worked in the department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Working towards a degree in fisheries ecology and gaining experience in aquatic animal medicine at Cornell solidified her interests in environmental science and aquaculture. Sarah also recently completed her MSc degree at the Carleton-Ottawa Institute of Biology working on a project related to stress physiology in migrating Pacific salmon. What better way to marry her interests than working at the AVC! Joining her committee will be Drs. Glenda Wright, Jeff Davidson, Sophie St. Hilaire, Rick Cawthorn and Fred Kibenge.

International Conference on Lobster Biology and Management

On June 19-24, 2011, the 9th Annual International Conference and Workshop on Lobster Biology and Management (ICWL) was hosted by the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) in Bergen, Norway.  The ICWL hosts many of the top scientists from across the globe.  Michael Ciaramella attended the ICWL and showcased his research through an oral presentation on “Nutritional condition and quality assessment of the American lobster, Homarus americanus, at different stages of the moult cycle.” His presentation highlighted the natural fluctuations in condition that occur in the lobster as well as the identification of biochemical markers in the hemolymph  that show potential for the development of a non-lethal means of assessing condition in the lobster.  The research was received very well by the conference attendees and peaked interest in the research being conducted at UPEI and the Lobster Science Centre. Michael defended his MSc in August 2011, and was co-supervised by Drs. Barb Horney and Andrea Battison.

Invited Speaker at the International Day of Milk

Dr. Alfonso Lopez was invited as a key-note speaker to the “International Day of Milk” in Mexico during September 7-11, 2011.  This meeting took place in Delicias, Chihuahua, a rural town in Northern Mexico which is regionally known for its dairy production. Dr. Lopez’s talk  was “Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex:  50 years of research and frustration.”  As part of this visit, Dr. Lopez met with bovine practitioners from Mexico and Spain to discuss current trends in laboratory diagnosis of respiratory diseases and neonatal diarrhea in cattle.  Bovine mycoplasmosis was of special interest to local practitioners and farmers since Mycoplasma bovis, a common organism encountered in bovine pneumonia in Canada, has emerged in Mexico as one of the leading causes of pneumonia-otitis-arhtiritis complex.

Dr. Haythm Ali Returned to Egypt

Dr. Haythm Ali, from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine- Zagazig University, Egypt has finished his two years of Ph.D. research under Dr. Arnost Cepica's supervision. The research was undertaken under the UPEI Graduate Student Exchange Program. Drs. Paul Hanna and Greg Keefe were also participating as co-supervisors.

Spanish Veterinarian Did an Externship in Anatomic Pathology

Dr. Fernando Sánchez-Esquiliche from Spain came this summer to AVC  to do a one-month externship in Anatomic Pathology.  He was interested in advancing his veterinary diagnostic training.  During his stay Fernando attended pathology lectures, seminars, necropsies, and gross and biopsy rounds.  Fernando obtained his DVM degree from the Veterinary College of University of Córdoba in 2010 and is currently studying a Master in Animal Production.  Before coming here, he did externships at the University of Murcia in Spain and at the University of Concepción in Chile.  Upon his return to Spain, Fernando expects to complete his MSc on Iberian pigs, an autochthonous breed of the Iberian Peninsula, and become a swine practitioner in Spain.

Dr. Dave Speare New Appointment

Dr. Dave Speare has recently been appointed as Editor of the Journal of Aquatic Animal Health. Congratulations Dr. Speare!

Recent Publications

Gilroy C, Forzan M, Drew A, Vernau W.  Eosinophilia in a cat with acute leukemia.  Canadian Veterinary Journal, 2011, 52:1004-1008.

Portilla-de Buen E, Leal C, Garcia-Martinez D, Cornejo A, Zepeda A, Aburto E. Pig heart preservation with antegrade intracellular crystalloid versus antegrade/retrograde miniplegia.  Journal Exctracorporeal Technology 2011;43:130-136.

Lombardero G, Velasquillo C, Aburto E, Villegas H, Morales E, Masri M, Martinez V, Gomez R, Chavez T, Ibarra C. Arthroscopic treatment of equine full-thickness chondral defects with constructs of collagen encapsulated cells. Universidad y Ciencia 2011; 27:227-231.

Departmental Seminars

Funding News

The online tutorials for potential student (USRA) applicants are now available on the NSERC website at: http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/Tutorial-Tutoriel/Tutorial-Tutoriel_eng.asp

Post Doctoral Research Fellowships (PDRF) offered through Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT): Program description including eligibility requirements and application information can be found on the Government of Canada’s International Scholarships website at www.scholarships.gc.ca

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