The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) held its 18^th annual Clinical Investigators’ Day on Feb 28. Seventeen residents presented their research to members of the CVM community. 

Dr. Santiago Peralta, associate professor of dentistry and oral surgery, gave the keynote presentation, “Translating molecular vulnerabilities of canine oral squamous cell carcinoma into clinical solutions,” in which he described results of a clinical trial using a new drug to shrink these deforming oral tumors in dogs. The drug was uncovered by studies on the molecular genetics and translational profiles of the tumors. Following his talk, residents gave their presentations in a series of sessions, moderated by Drs. Tracy Stokol, Sarah Caddy and Colleen Lau and combined D.V.M/Ph.D. student Kimaya Bakhle.  In a new event, four Ph.D. students presented results of their ongoing animal-related studies to the audience, showcasing the research being performed to benefit animals in non-clinical departments at the College of Veterinary Medicine and College of Engineering.

The judges, a group made up of Drs. Beth Bennet, Roy Cohen, William Katt, and Rory Todhunter Ph.D.’92, then reviewed and selected the awardees, who received their awards from Dr. Lorin Warnick, D.V.M., Ph.D. ’94, Austion O. Hooey Dean of Veterinary Medicine.  

The five awards given out this year were:

• Best Overall Presentation: Dr. Regan Stoneburner, resident in Small Animal Surgery: “Comparison of multiplanar reconstruction versus computer-aided 3D measurements from CT scans of normal canine radii.”
• Best Scientific Content: Dr. Brian LaMendola, resident in Anatomic Pathology: “A novel deep learning algorithm to differentiate feline inflammatory bowel disease and small intestinal lymphoma using whole slide images (WSI).”
• Best Presentation Style: Dr. Jimmy Guan, resident in Anatomic Pathology: “Cardiac autophagosome dysfunction in a breeding colony of prairie voles (Microtus Ochrogaster).”
• Best Research Proposal: Taylor Williams, D.V.M.’10, resident in Ambulatory and Production Medicine: “Comparison of a novel nerve block for calf disbudding compared to traditional methods.”
• New this year: Best Collaboration/Crossover (tie): Dr. Jaspreet Kaur, resident in Clinical Pathology: “Acute myeloid leukemia with peripheral lymph node involvement in dogs: A retrospective study of 23 cases” and Dr. Meryem Outouil, resident in Laboratory Animal Medicine: “Evaluating the impact of stall size on the behavior and welfare of horses.”

The event was organized by Drs. Robert Goggs, Kelly Hume, Elizabeth Moore, D.V.M. ’12, Ph.D. ’19, and Tracy Stokol, and Doug Fink. Corporate sponsorship was provided by Nestle Purina and internal support was provided by all CVM  academic departments, the Office of Graduate Education, Cornell University Hospital for Animals, the Baker Institute for Animal Health, the Feline Health Center, the Riney Canine Health Center, and the Animal Health Diagnostic Center.

Written by Lauren Cahoon Roberts