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Erica Secor

Adjunct Associate Professor

Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences

Ithaca, NY

Email: ejs67@cornell.edu

Profile

Research/Clinical Interests

Equine fracture management, gene therapy

Education

  • Cornell University (Magna cum laude with distinction in research) BS 01/2009 
  • Cornell University DVM 05/2013 
  • University of Illinois MS 05/2017 
  • Cornell University PhD 12/2025

Biography/Professional Experience

Research Positions:

  • 01/2026 – Present Postdoctoral Associate, Wagner Laboratory, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 
  • 08/2021 – 12/2025 PhD Candidate, Biomedical and Biological Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 
  • 06/2025 – 08/2025 Mentor/PI, Student Research Institute (SRI), virtual program hosted by the Harvard Undergraduate OpenBio program 
  • 12/2010 – 01/2011 Student Research Assistant, Nutramax Laboratories, Research and 12/2011 – 01/2012 Development Division, Edgewood, MD 
  • 03/2013 – 04/2013 
  • 05/2011 – 08/2011 Havemeyer Fellow, Antczak research group, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 
  • 06/2009 – 08/2009 Student Research Assistant, Nixon research group, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 
  • 09/2005 – 08/2009 Student Research Assistant, Felippe research group, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY

Clinical Positions: 

  • 01/2022 – 08/2025 Large Animal Emergency Surgeon (10%), Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 
  • 08/02/2021 – 08/08/2021 Locum Surgeon, Large Animal Surgery, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 
  • 07/2019 – 06/2021 Staff Surgeon, Ocean State Equine Associates, North Scituate, RI 
  • 08/2017 – 06/2019 Staff Surgeon, Wisconsin Equine Clinic and Hospital, Oconomowoc, WI
  • 07/2014 – 07/2017 Resident, Equine Surgery, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, College of Veterinary Medicine, Urbana, IL 
  • 07/2013 – 07/2014 Intern Veterinarian, Equine Medicine and Surgery, New England Equine Medical and Surgical Center, Dover, NH

Awards and Honors

  • 2008 Dextra Undergraduate Research Award 
  • 2012 Vermont Veterinary Medical Association Foundation Award 
  • 2013 Phi Zeta Inductee 
  • 2013 ACVS Student Surgical Proficiency Award – Large Animal 
  • 2016 Graduate Student Conference Travel Award 
  • 2018 Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons, Large Animal 
  • 2022 Best poster award, Harry M. Zweig Memorial Fund for Equine Research 
  • 2024 3rd place student poster award, Cornell Immunology Symposium 
  • 2025 Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation Storm Cat Research Career Advancement Award Recipient

Professional/Academic Affiliations

  • Veterinary license - NY 
  • American College of Veterinary Surgeons, Large Animal 
    • Member of the Communications Committee 2022-2025; 
    • Co-chair 2024, 
    • Chair 2025 
  • American Association of Equine Practitioners 
  • American Veterinary Medical Association 
  • National Animal Health Emergency Response Corps, USDA APHIS – Veterinary Medical Officer

Publications

Selected Publications

1. Tallmadge RL, McLaughlin K, Secor EJ, Ruano DC, Matychak MB, Flaminio MJBF. Expression of essential B cell genes and immunoglobulin isotypes suggests active development and gene recombination during fetal gestation. Developmental and Comparative Immunology. 2009, Sep; 33(9): 1027-1038. doi: 10.1016/j.dci.2009.05.002 

2. Secor EJ, Matychak MB, Felippe MJB. The transfer of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) via colostrum to foals. Veterinary Record. 2012, Jan; 170(2):51. doi: 10.1136/vr.100220 

3. Tallmadge RL, Stokol T, Gould-Earley MJ, Earley E, Secor EJ, Matychak MB, Felippe MJB. Fell Pony Syndrome: Prospective clinical study and molecular investigation of candidate genes. Clinical and Vaccine Immunology. 2012, Jul; 19(7):1054-1064. doi: 10.1128/CVI.00237-12 

4. Prell MJ, Canisso IF, Secor EJ, Gutierrez-Nibeyro SD, Schlafer DH, Ellerbrock RE. Theriogenology Question of the Month. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2016, Apr; 248(8):887-890. doi: 10.2460/javma.248.8.887 

5. Secor EJ, Grzanna MW, Rashmir-Raven AM, Frondoza CG. Chondrocyte Production of Pro-Inflammatory Chemokine MCP-1 (CCL-2) and Prostaglandin E2 is Inhibited by Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiables, Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate Combination. Pharmacology & Pharmacy. 2018, Jan; 9(1):10-26. doi: 10.4236/pp.2018.91002 

6. Secor EJ, Gutierrez-Nibeyro SD, Horn GP. Biomechanical Evaluation of a Modified Laryngoplasty Using a Toggle Technique for Equine Arytenoid Cartilage Stabilization. American Journal of Veterinary Research. 2018, Feb; 79(2):226-232. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.79.2.226. 

7. Secor EJ, Gutierrez-Nibeyro SD, Clark-Price SC, Stewart MC, Kay AT. Complication Rates Following Equine Elective Arthroscopy Performed on an Outpatient Basis. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2018, Aug 1; 253(3):346-354. doi: 10.2460/javma.253.3.346 

8. Gray S, Secor EJ, Gutierrez-Nibeyro SD. Partial Arytenoidectomy Performed in 14 Standing Horses (2013-2017). Veterinary Surgery. 2019, May; 48(4):473-480. doi: 10.1111/vsu.13192 

9. McCoy AM, Smith RL, Secor EJ, Roady PJ. Effects of Two Preparation Methods and Long-Term Storage on Structural Integrity and Risk of Bacterial Contamination of Equine Amnion. Veterinary Surgery. 2019, Feb; 48(2):222-228. doi: 10.1111/vsu.13138 

10. Grzanna MW, Secor EJ, Fortuno LV, Au AY, Frondoza CG. Anti-inflammatory Effect of Carprofen is Enhanced by Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiables, Glucosamine, and Chondroitin Sulfate Combination in Chondrocyte Microcarrier Spinner Culture. Cartilage. 2020, Jan; 11(1). doi: 10.1177/1947603518783495 

11. McCoy AM, Secor EJ, Roady PJ, Gray SM, Klein J, Gutierrez-Nibeyero SD. Plantar osteochondral fragments in young Standardbreds are associated with minimal joint inflammation at the time of surgical removal. Equine Veterinary Journal. 2023, Jan; 55(1):33-41. doi: 10.1111/evj.13575 

12. Park S, Colville MJ, Paek JH, Shurer CR, Singh A, Secor EJ, Sailer CJ, Hyuang LT, Kuo JC, Goudge MC, Su J, Kim M, DeLisa MP, Neelamegham S, Lammerding J, Zipfel WR, Fischback C, Reesink HL, Paszek MJ. Immunoengineering can overcome the glycocalyx armour of cancer cells. Nature Materials. 2024, Mar; 23(3):429-438. doi: 10.1038/s41563-024-01808-0. 

13. Vishwanath K, Secor EJ, Watkins A, Reesink HL, Bonassar LJ. Loss of effective lubricating viscosity is the primary mechanical marker of joint inflammation in equine synovitis. Journal of Orthopedic Research. 2024, Jul; 42(7):1438-1447. doi: 10.1002/jor.25793 

14. Womack SJ, Carballo CB, Secor EJ, Rodeo SA, Reesink HL. Proteomics reveals increased periostin in synovial fluid from canine and human anterior cruciate ligament injury. Journal of Orthopedic Research. 2025, Jul, 43(7):1239-1249. doi: 10.1002/jor.26078 

15. Secor EJ, Womack SJ, Ysebaert MP, Colville MJ, Reesink HL. Synovial fluid alpha-2-macroglobulin, gelsolin, and lubricin distinguish between osteoarthritic and healthy equine joints. Equine Veterinary Journal. 2026, Jan; 58(1):49-59. doi: 10.1111/evj.14511 

16. Fortin AG, Naguib N, Secor EJ, Reesink HL, Weisner UB, Bonassar LJ. Multiscale characterization of ultrasmall fluorescent core-shell silica nanoparticles in cartilage and synovial joints reveals rapid cartilage penetration and sustained joint residence. Acta biomaterialia. 2025, Jun, 200:313-325. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2025.05.031 

17. Secor EJ, Thomas M, Chu E, Hazzard S, Raimondi S, Reesink H. Anti-inflammatory effects of intra-articular therapeutics on cytokine-stimulated equine cartilage and synovial membrane explants. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 2026, March. Online ahead of print. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.25.12.0454. 

18. Secor EJ, Chow EN, Thomas M, Johnson L, Siefert A, Wagner B, Engiles JB, Reesink HK. CD8 T-cells, CD86+ macrophages, and pathways associated with connective tissue and neuron projection development are correlated with fetlock osteoarthritis in racehorses. Equine Veterinary Journal. 2026 April. Online ahead of print. doi: 10.1002/evj.70168. 

19. Womack SJ, Secor EJ, Nelissen SR, Fortin AG, Schiller AM, Colville MJ, Bonassar LJ, Paszek MJ, Reesink HL. Lubricin protects against cartilage degeneration following anterior cruciate ligament transection in rats. Scientific Reports. 2026 April 20; 16(1):18031. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-45349-9. 

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