Perfect Timing

VRSP summer project opens door to master’s degree studies for Nigerian scholar

Taking a chance

Stephen reviewed the message. Everything he had written looked good, but then, he had been unsuccessful on previous occasions. Taking a short breath, he clicked “send.”

“My brother called me and said there was an opportunity for internship or an externship in the U.S.,” Stephen recalls.

It was called VRSP, which stands for Veterinary Research Scholars Program, offered at the College of Veterinary Medicine, in Manhattan, Kansas. To Stephen Edache, the youngest in his family with four brothers and a sister, the opportunity would take him a long way from home, but would help set a path for his future.

“I was in my final year of my DVM program at the University of Agriculture, in Makurdi, Nigeria” Stephen says. “Going through the VRSP program website, I read about the different mentors, supervisors and their research interests. I took an interest in research with Dr. Natalia Cernicchiaro because at that time, it was focused on Salmonella and its prevalence in the peripheral lymph nodes of cattle. This type of research fit my interests, so I made my application for the program.”

Connecting students with mentors

“The way the program works, Dr. Kate KuKanich [the current VRSP director] sends an email to all potential mentors in our college but also in other academic colleges at K-State,” says Dr. Natalia Cernicchiaro, associate professor of epidemiology in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine/ Pathobiology. “She asks whether we would be interested in applying to mentor students. Then students and mentors are matched based on research interests.”

For Dr. Cernicchiaro, two students selected her research project about Salmonella in cattle as one of their top interests.

“I talked to Stephen and one other student,” Dr. Cernicchiaro says. “We usually begin a discussion with the prospective students and then they ask me questions. After that, we mentors rank the students in order of who we think might be a better fit for the research project. I ranked

Stephen as my first pick, and then there was similar interest from him, so that is how we connected.”

About the VRSP

For three months during the summer, VRSP provides an in-depth introduction of biomedical research to veterinary students, along with encouragement for these talented veterinary professional students to enter veterinary careers involving research.

“Scholars work with their mentors day-to-day throughout the summer to learn laboratory techniques and various procedures for data collection,” explains Dr. KuKanich, who is a professor of small animal internal medicine in addition to overseeing VRSP. “The students participate in weekly journal clubs and interactive workshops to learn about research ethics, how to present research findings, and veterinary career opportunities involving research.”

“Scholars also meet veterinary researchers from corporate and government settings and tour various facilities to learn about the many opportunities available to veterinarians,” adds Dr. Cernicchiaro. “At the end of the summer, scholars present their research at our college’s poster session, and they get the opportunity to attend the National Veterinary Research Symposium, which was held in St. Paul, Minnesota, for 2022.”

“The VRSP provides a tremendous opportunity to recruit veterinary students who are interested in research to learn from an excellent mentor like Dr. Cernicchiaro,” says

Dr. David Renter, director of the Center for Outcomes Research and Epidemiology, or CORE. Dr. Renter is also on Stephen’s master’s degree committee with Dr. Cernicchiaro and Dr. T.G. Nagaraja. “In this case, the student, the faculty, the graduate program and the beef industry partners all benefit.”

Traditionally, the VRSP is open to first- and secondyear veterinary students, and accepts approximately 20 students each summer. In the summer of 2021, funding from Boehringer Ingelheim and IDEXX Inc., allowed the recruitment and addition of two international veterinary scholars. In addition to Stephen, another student from Nigeria was accepted into the program: Damilola Gbore, who was attending the University of Ibadan.

“The VRSP provided funding for us both to assist with our living expenses and travel expenses,” Stephen says. “We connected in Nigeria before coming to the U.S., and we’re still in communication. Damilola’s mentor was Dr. Masaaki Tamura in the Department of Anatomy and Physiology.”

“We value the tremendous opportunity for international scholars like Stephen to join our Veterinary Research Scholars Program, collaborate with our research teams, and add depth to our discussions of biomedical, veterinary, and One Health problems and solutions,” Dr. KuKanich says. “The mission of our VRSP and the Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Scholars Program, who sponsored Stephen’s summer research, is to encourage top veterinary students to pursue a career in veterinary research. We were thrilled when Stephen graduated with his DVM in Nigeria and returned to K-State to continue his research through a graduate degree with Dr. Cernicchiaro.”

An opportunity emerges

While the VRSP turned out to be a successful program for Stephen, it also created a serendipitous opportunity, which he recognized early during the summer he was participating in the VRSP.

“I got the idea the first couple of weeks, that I was very sure this was the place where I wanted to work on my Ph.D. or master’s — and that this was one of the labs I wanted to work in for my graduate studies,” Stephen says. “I didn’t actually speak with Dr. Cernicchiaro right away – for some reason I was a bit scared if I was going to get accepted or not, but fortunately for me, I did.”

“Sometimes you can identify talent in a fairly short period, and that was the case with Stephen,” Dr. Cernicchiaro says. “Because the VRSP happens over a 12-week period, students are not exposed to all the aspects of biomedical research, so they may not be involved in the design or implementation, or maybe in the analysis stages, which may be challenging depending on the stage of the project.”

“In this case, the project was in its very early stages,” Dr. Cernicchiaro says. “Stephen started when the research project started, with the timing being perfect. I really needed a student to lead this project. I have been very successful with the VRSP students I have worked with in the past — they were all rock stars, so I was really looking forward to having Stephen join my lab during the summer.”

From DVM graduate in Nigeria to M.S. student at K-State

After finishing his VRSP project in 2021, Stephen returned to Nigeria for the fall semester and completed his DVM program in September.

“Lucky for me, Dr. Cernicchiaro was looking for a master’s student who could take over the current Salmonella project,” Stephen says. “I was also looking for a graduate position so, as she said, it was just good timing.” lives close by, he offered to come every Saturday. His attitude was extremely appreciated.”

Although the time was good to transition into studies for a master’s degree and return to K-State, Stephen ran into a slight roadblock.

And what topic is Stephen studying as a master’s degree student?

“Currently my research is mainly focused on evaluating the effectiveness of direct-fed microbial in reducing Salmonella prevalence and concentration in the peripheral lymph nodes of dairy cattle,” Stephen says. “That’s my main project although I have side projects, such as looking at the general prevalence of Salmonella in the peripheral lymph nodes of control lots (culled dairy cattle) and checking the antimicrobial resistance of different Salmonella serotypes that I get from the main project.”

I have been very successful with the VRSP students I have worked with in the past — they were all rock stars, so I was really looking forward to having Stephen join my lab during the summer.

“When I applied for a VISA interview, the date they gave me was Feb. 11, 2022,” Stephen says. “My program was supposed to begin in January, so I would be one month into my program and not knowing when I would have my VISA interview. That means I would be late to start classes.”

Dr. Natalia Cernicchiaro Associate professor

“We are investigating the prevalence and concentration of Salmonella in lymph nodes, because lymph nodes have been identified as one of the main sources of Salmonella in ground beef samples,” Dr. Cernicchiaro says. “During the slaughter process, not only fat, muscle and fascia are trimmed, sometimes superficial lymph nodes can also be trimmed and incorporated into combo trim bins, and if contaminated, represent a potential food safety risk.”

Fortunately, Stephen found some individuals who helped him expedite his interview, and get the date moved forward. The rest is history — in the making.

Master’s student — 24/7

So what is it like to be a graduate student in pathobiology/ epidemiology?

“I usually wake up around 6 a.m. and am in the lab by 6:30,” Stephen says. “I get most of my work taken care of early with sample processing, data collection and analysis, and then work on class assignments. Then, when my brain is getting saturated, I go back to the lab and work till about 6 in the evening.”

While that sounds like a long day — and it is a long day — Stephen puts in time on the weekends too.

“Depending on when we start processing samples in the lab, there are some procedures that have to happen on Saturdays,” Dr. Cernicchiaro says. “Before Stephen joined my lab, we created a schedule where several of us will rotate to come to the lab. Upon Stephen starting his program, and given he

The study is supported with funding from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

“This is a competitive proposal we put together with industry collaborators,” Dr. Cernicchiaro says.

Vision for the future

While Stephen stays busy on his master’s research project, he does occasionally enjoy some free time.

“I play tennis a lot — every weekend,” Stephen says. “And I hang out with friends — I have lots of Korean friends, for some reason. Most are graduate students, although some are in the military. It’s kind of a way to blow off steam and have refreshing memories so you’re prepared for the next week.”

While it might be early to think about the future, Stephen does believe research might continue beyond his master’s degree, which he hopes to complete in December 2023.

“I have always envisioned myself being a professor,” Stephen says. “After I get my master’s, then I could get my Ph.D. and teach in a university. Most of my decisions are influenced by my present status, but I would love to teach in the U.S.”

Dr. Stephen Edache’s master’s degree program falls under the umbrella of the Center for Outcomes Research and Epidemiology, or CORE, an interdisciplinary research and training center focused on the application of outcomes research and epidemiology to benefit animals and humans.

“We provide graduate training in epidemiology to prepare students for a variety of professional career tracks,” says Dr. David Renter, the Dr. Robert MacDonald Professor of Veterinary Medicine and director of CORE. “We have recent graduates who are employed in industry, academia and government settings. Specific areas of training can be tailored to the student, while also aligning with faculty areas of expertise.”

CORE utilizes a collaborative team with expertise in population-based and quantitative approaches to enhance animal health for the benefit of animals and society. Currently there are 10 graduate students supervised by CORE faculty members.

“Our research and training programs capitalize on our expertise in epidemiology, research design, data analysis and interpretation, risk assessment, mathematical modeling, veterinary medicine, production agriculture, and population health management,” Dr. Renter says. “We promote excellence in experimental, observational, and research synthesis methods, and strive to deliver valid information that enables evidence-based and data-driven decisions. In addition, we focus on developing student’s oral and written science communication skills.”

Dr. Natalia Cernicchiaro, is the associate director of CORE and is also appointed as an associate professor of epidemiology in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology.

“I have very high expectations from my students, but I also want to make sure everybody feels good maintaining a workpersonal balance, while doing quality work, and providing a good work environment,” Dr. Cernicchiaro says. “That and the fact that we have a great group of graduate students, faculty members and staff members may have been important drivers for Stephen’s decision to pursue his master’s degree at K-State. Even if his research project is amazing, being successful is about the people. Our graduate students form a very nice group. I love my colleagues and I love my students. That is the reason I do what I do.”

K-State’s top faculty research prize — Iman Research Award — goes to Dr. Hans Coetzee

Dr. Hanz Coetzee from the College of Veterinary Medicine was one of two K-State professors chosen as this year’s recipients of the Iman Research and Teaching Awards. Each award incudes a $5,000 honorarium in recognition of outstanding research and teaching accomplishments.

Presented at the K-State Alumni Center Sept. 8, the research award recognizes faculty members who have distinguished themselves and have contributed significantly through research to improve the betterment of the educational experience or make a significant impact.

A University Distinguished Professor and head of the Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Dr. Coetzee has published over 200 peer-reviewed scientific papers and received over $20 million in research funding, in addition to

Researchers identify potential treatment for emerging rabbit diseases

By Wendy Barnes

Going down the rabbit hole is not so bad if it means saving the lives of wild and domestic rabbits threatened by the recent spread of diseases. Currently, there is no treatment for Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) and European brown hare syndrome (EBHS), both of which are caused by lagoviruses. But hope is on the horizon due to a discovery by a team of researchers at Kansas State University.

Through collaboration with researchers from other Kansas Board of Regents universities — Dr. William Groutas at Wichita State University and Dr. Scott Lovell at the University of Kansas — CVM virologists Drs. Kim and Kyeong-Ok Chang have identified potent small-molecule inhibitors with the potential to be developed as antiviral drugs for lagoviruses.

Dr. Kim said the development of an antiviral drug could provide a much-needed treatment for afflicted rabbits, especially those not found in the wild.

“Pet rabbits and endangered rabbits in captive-breeding programs are an especially good target for antiviral treatment,” Kim says. “Antiviral drugs may also be used as prevention when rabbits are exposed to the virus and need prompt protection.” being awarded two patents. His contributions to advancing animal welfare have been recognized with the AVMA Animal Welfare Award and the AABP Award of Excellence.

Study suggests probiotics may pose risks to animal, human health

By Piper Brandt

Research from mid-2022 reveals how probiotics may not be as beneficial for animal and human health as thought. Probiotics, in most uses, are organisms considered to be beneficial for gut health in animals and humans.

Dr. Raghavendra Amachawadi, assistant professor of food animal therapeutics, and his team have discovered that a species of bacteria, Enterococcus faecium, which is contained in several commercial products for swine and cattle, can be a source of antibiotic resistance.

Their study, “Whole genome sequence analyses-based assessment of virulence potential and antimicrobial susceptibilities and resistance of Enterococcus faecium strains isolated from commercial swine and cattle probiotic products,” was published in the Journal of Animal Science.

“Although probiotics are beneficial bacteria, some bacterial species can have unintended negative consequences,”

Dr. Amachawadi says. “Our research has shown that Enterococcus faecium carries genes that confer resistance to antibiotics widely used in human medicine. Feeding such products to animals raises the possibility that the genes can be transferred to pathogenic bacteria and make them resistant to antibiotics, which can be passed on to humans.”