Kylene Kehn-Hall, a professor of virology at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, has been honored with the 2024 Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence. She emphasizes that this award represents a commitment to advancing science vital to veterinary medicine. "The award prompted me to reflect on how our work impacts veterinary medicine," Kehn-Hall stated. "While we focus on basic science, we're laying the foundation for tomorrow's treatments and vaccines."
Read More
The Zoetis Award recognizes one prominent researcher from each U.S. veterinary college annually, rewarding significant contributions to veterinary medicine and promoting innovative research within the field.
Kehn-Hall's research focuses on dangerous viruses, supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense. Her lab utilizes artificial intelligence to study hemorrhagic fever viruses, beginning with the Rift Valley fever virus, which poses threats to both livestock and human health.
Recent breakthroughs by her lab indicate a significant impact on viral disease understanding. A Ph.D. student, Kaylee Petraccione, recently led research on virus-host cell interactions, producing findings that could alter perceptions of viral diseases. Additionally, the team is investigating new uses for existing FDA-approved drugs, aiming to reduce treatment development time significantly.
"When we work with FDA-approved drugs, we're building on years of established research," Kehn-Hall noted. "We already know they're safe at certain doses, and we understand how they work in the body."
Her lab is populated by seven Ph.D. students, one completing a veterinary pathology residency, as well as an undergraduate researcher, two technicians, and two research assistant professors. Kehn-Hall emphasizes the importance of mentorship in her work, stating, "Watching students grow into skilled researchers, seeing them make discoveries that could change lives — that's what drives our lab forward."
One notable project focuses on the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, affecting both animals and humans. Led by Ph.D. student Morgen VanderGiessen and research assistant professor Caitlin Woodson, in collaboration with Michelle Theus and Hehuang Xie from the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathology, this research is enhancing understanding of long-term neurological impacts while developing protective treatments.
"We're looking beyond basic survival," Kehn-Hall said. "Our goal is to develop treatments that protect against long-term neurological complications and improve quality of life for those affected by these viruses."
Kehn-Hall believes that the Zoetis award validates her team's collaborative efforts, stating, "This recognition elevates our entire lab's work. It shows that our research matters — not just to the scientific community, but to the future of both veterinary and human medicine."