NC State Gastroenterology Research

GASTROENTEROLOGY

CVMResearchOffice@ncsu.edu P: 919.513.6213

Anthony Blikslager Professor, Equine Surgery & Gastroenterology

DVM: Virginia Tech PhD: NC State University Diplomate: American College of Veterinary Surgeons Fellow: American Gastroenterological Association Clinical Speciality: Equine colic surgery Research Interest: Study of strangulating obstruction (twisted intestine) in horses, and how we can enable horses to recover more rapidly from intestinal injury. Also studying nutritional approaches to restoring a healthy gut, including the microbiome Contact Email: atbliksl@ncsu.edu Office: 919-513-7725

Christopher Dekaney Assistant Professor

BS: Texas A&M University MS: Texas A&M University PhD: Texas A&M University Research Interest: The primary focus of my research program is studying and understanding mechanisms that influence intestinal stem cell proliferative status, particularly following damage.

Contact Email: cmdekane@ncsu.edu Office: 919-513-6372

Johanna Elfenbein Assistant Professor, Equine Medicine

DVM: University of Florida PhD: Texas A&M University Diplomate: American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Clinical Specialty: Large animal internal medicine Research Interests: The focus of our lab is the interaction between zoonotic pathogen Salmonella and the host. We use genetic and molecular biology techniques to understand how Salmonella colonizes the intestine and how it influences the host immune response.

Our work has identified numerous different Salmonella factors that are critical for Salmonella to colonize the intestine and thus represent novel targets for antimicrobial development.

Contact Email: jrelfenb@ncsu.edu Office: 919-513-1780

Derek Foster Assistant Professor, Ruminant Health Management

DVM: North Carolina State University PhD: North Carolina State University Diplomate: American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Clinical Specialty: Gastrointestinal physiology, antimicrobial use in food Research Interest: Our lab is primarily interested in infectious gastrointestinal diseases of farm animals and people.

Contact Email: derek_foster@ncsu.edu Office: 919-513-6128

Liara Gonzalez Assistant Professor, Gastroenterology and Equine Surgery

DVM: Cornell University PhD: North Carolina State University Diplomate: American College of Veterinary Surgery Clinical Specialty: Equine Emergency Surgery Research Interest: Dr. Gonzalez’ research has focused on developing and utilizing large animal models to study intestinal stem cell biology. Dr. Gonzalez is particularly interested in studying the impact of ischemic injury on mucosal barrier function and the role of the intestinal stem cell population in modulating repair. Dr. Gonzalez hopes to apply her knowledge and expertise in advanced laboratory techniques to help solve clinically significant problems including the development of a test to determine intestinal viability as well as identifying novel therapeutic targets to improve patient survival.

Contact Email: liara_gonzalez@ncsu.edu Office: 919-513-6630

Jody Gookin FluoroScience Distinguished Professor in Veterinary Scholars Research Education Professor, Internal Medicine

DVM: University of California, Davis PhD: North Carolina State University Diplomate: American College of Veterinary Medicine Clinical Specialty: Small animal gastroenterology, feline medicine Research Interest: My primary focuses are gastroenterology, infectious causes of diarrhea that are of shared importance to veterinary and human medicine and epithelial-pathogen interactions Contact Email: jody_gookin@ncsu.edu Office: 919-513-6295

Casey M. Theriot Assistant Professor

PhD: North Carolina State University Research Interest: We are identifying the roles of gastrointestinal tract microbiome and metabolome in shaping colonization resistance against Clostridium difficile as well as C. difficile physiology and pathogenesis. Other research includes metabolism of bile acids by indigenous gastrointestinal microbiota.

Contact Email: cmtherio@ncsu.edu Office: 919-513-0711

Laurianne Van Landeghem Assistant Professor

MS: University of Bordeaux, France PhD: University of Nantes, France Research Interest: My laboratory explores the impact of the molecular crosstalk of normal and cancer intestinal stem cells with enteric glial cells on gut physiology and carcinogenesis. We have a unique dual expertise in enteric glia and intestinal stem cell biology that permits us to study in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro how glia regulates stemness in health and diseases with a special emphasis on cancer. A better understanding of the molecules that regulate stem cell functions is likely to help the development of innovative therapies aiming to stimulate healthy intestinal stem cells to promote regeneration or block cancer stem cells to limit colorectal cancer relapse and metastasis.

Contact Email: lcvanlan@ncsu.edu Office: 919-513-6801

ABOUT THE COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

Ranked third in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, NC State’s College of Veterinary Medicine is a driving force in both animal and human health and a global center of medical excellence.

Our world-leading faculty and clinicians are at the forefront of interdisciplinary biomedical innovation, conducting solution-driven research that defines the interconnection between animal and human health.

Our extensive partnerships with business, industry and government build a culture of collaboration that helps solve today’s most pressing health challenges. As the national leader in experiential teaching and learning, we are training the next generation of skilled, compassionate veterinary health professionals equipped to serve the global community.

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