40th Anniversary VMD/PhD Alumni Reunion Symposium
March 19-21, 2009
In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the VMD/PhD Program, and the 125th anniversary of the School of Veterinary Medicine, we invited all VMD/PhD Program alumni and students, and University of Pennsylvania students and faculty, to join us in Philadelphia for an Alumni Reunion Symposium.
The Symposium's exciting program of scientific talks, panel discussions, and social events opened with Penn Vet Student Research Day (formerly Phi Zeta Day) on Thursday, March 19, 2009. The focal point of student research at Penn Vet, Research Day featured a full program of vet student presentations, poster sessions, academic awards and Phi Zeta membership inductions. This year's keynote address, entitled "Stem Cells, Cardiovascular Precursors, and Cardiac Repair" was given by Michael Kotlikoff, VMD, PhD, Austin O. Hooey Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University.
On Friday, March 20, graduates of the VMD/PhD Program and faculty from the Schools of Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, and Arts and Sciences spoke on topics including cancer, neuroscience, immunology, infectious disease, gene regulation, developmental biology, and translational research, and present a panel disucssion on career options for veterinarian scientists. The day ended with an evening of food, drink and live entertainment by TRIAGE at West Philadelphia's premiere music venue, World Cafe Live.
Capping the three-day event on Saturday, March 21 was a Breakfast with the Dean, featuring discussion on current happenings at Penn Vet with Dean and Program alumna Dr. Joan Hendricks, an update on the VMD/PhD Program and plans for expansion with current Director Dr. Michael Atchison, followed by a tour of the School of Veterinary Medicine's facilities.
Please learn more about our talks and speakers through a detailed schedule of events.
The VMD/PhD Program wishes to thank the many sponsors who have contributed to this special event.
Photos from the 40th anniversary of the VMD/PhD Program may be seen here.
Photos from Student Research Day may be seen here.