Rowan University Veterinary Students Investigate Key Issues in Animal Health

Over 12 weeks, participants conducted research, attended seminars on scientific writing and data analysis, and presented their findings at the National Veterinary Summer Scholars Symposium at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. This participation was notable given that SSVM opened just a year ago.

Among the first group were veterinary students Angely Morocho and Lisa Nguyen, who tackled distinct challenges affecting animal health.

Morocho focused on improving trauma care for cats, noting that they are often treated in emergency settings yet remain underrepresented in trauma research compared to dogs. Her project investigated the use of point-of-care ultrasound to evaluate feline injuries, collaborating with faculty mentors including Elena Contreras and Barbara Maton from SSVM, and Kelly Hall from Colorado State University. Morocho utilized data from the Veterinary Committee on Trauma database to explore the correlation between ultrasound findings and clinical outcomes in injured cats, aiming to enhance decision-making in trauma situations.

Nguyen's research, on the other hand, addressed the exposure of dogs to microplastics, a topic with limited existing literature. Working under the guidance of faculty mentors Nora Jean Nealon and Chandru Charavaryamath, Nguyen investigated microplastic presence in canine fecal samples from various dog lifestyles. Teaming with an external laboratory, she analyzed these samples for microplastics commonly found in packaging and pet products, raising concerns about the health implications of long-term exposure for dogs and humans.

The program fostered a range of research interests, from infectious diseases to public health, promoting critical thinking among students. Nealon, the VSSP program coordinator, emphasized the importance of this curiosity in advancing veterinary medicine. Omar Tliba, SSVM’s associate dean for research, highlighted that early involvement in research prepares students to excel in patient care and contribute to advances in animal and human health.

Other noteworthy student projects included:

- Parasite Burden and Dietary Habits of Bobcats in New Jersey by Jake Attardi.

- Assessing Coliform Contamination and Antimicrobial Resistance in Canine Probiotic Supplements by Megan Fielding.

- Evaluation of Canine Neurologic Disease Gait by Anna Lauricella.

- Genomic Comparison of Uropathogenic E. coli in Dogs by Amina Mason.

- Vaccine Hesitancy Among Companion Animal Owners by Sydney Matusiak.

- Chitosan-Based Nano-Delivery for Treating Cryptosporidiosis by Oliver Pittman.

- Evaluating Equine Ataxia Gait Variability by Amelia Puglia.