College holds Clinical Investigators' Day 2023

The 18th Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Clinical Investigators’ Day took place on April 14th. The event provides CVM residents and interns with an opportunity to present their research to the veterinary community at large and provides a forum for them to practice their oral presentation skills as well as interact with CVM faculty and alumni.

Ten residents from disciplines across the college described their recent research in areas including theriogenology, ophthalmology, dentistry, laboratory animal medicine, oral surgery and dentistry, diagnostic imagery, and anesthesia and pain management.

Dr. Nicole Buote, associate professor of small animal surgery in the Department of Clinical Sciences, delivered the keynote address, focusing on her research on the future of surgical robotics in veterinary medicine. The presentations were moderated by Mason Jager, D.V.M.'12, assistant research professor in the Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences; Dr. Erin Scott, assistant professor of Ophthalmology in the Department of Clinical Sciences; and D.V.M-Ph.D. student Kimaya Bakhle.

The presentations were judged by Dr. Ruth Collins, associate professor in the Department of Molecular Medicine; Dr. Parminder Basran, associate research professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences; Dr. Jeongmin Song, associate professor in the department of Microbiology and Immunology; and Dr. Luis Campoy, clinical professor of anesthesiology and pain medicine in the Department of Clinical Sciences.

At the end of the event, Lorin Warnick, D.V.M., Ph.D.'94, the Austin O. Hooey Dean of Veterinary Medicine, announced the names of the winning presenters:

  • Best Research Proposal went to Dr. Alexa Gray for “Investigating Age-Related Retinal Changes Through Electroretinography and Optical Tomography.”
  • Dr. Kelly Chen received Best Presentation Style for “Comparison of Sedation Quality in Pigs Premedicated with Alfaxalone-Acepromazine-Midazolan or Ketamine-Midazolan-Detomidine.” 
  • Nicholas Walsh, D.V.M.'16, was recognized for Best Scientific Content for “Canine Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts: Interlobar and Intralobar Classifications.”
  • Alexandra Wright, D.V.M.'18 received the Best Overall Presentation award for TK. Microspacial Distribution of Trace Elements in Feline Dental Hard Tissues: Early Life Exposure to Essential and Toxic Elements.”

Warnick reflected on his own experience as an intern at Cornell CVM. “One of the things I most enjoyed as an intern or resident was seeing things in the course of clinical work and then being able to design clinical trials or observational studies to investigate those things or raise questions for ourselves and our clients,” said Warnick. “I found that to be extremely rewarding, and it's been a privilege to be part of that process as a faculty member and then in college leadership.”

Written by Christina Frank