Penn Vet News

Bringing cognitive science in action to young minds

Penn Upward Bound high school students from West Philadelphia got a tour of the Penn Smart Aviary, GRASP Lab, and the Penn Vet Working Dog Center during a visit to Pennovation Works.

Penn Vet Scientist Receives More Than Half a Million Dollars For Research and Development of Mitigation Technology to Halt Methane Emissions from Dairy Cattle

Funding from Gerstner Philanthropies will study effects of probiotic supplement to prevent methane production in commercial herds.

Veterinary Advocate Dr. Amanda Bisol, V’11, named as Penn Vet’s 2024 Commencement Speaker

Amanda Bisol, VMD, will deliver the address at the 2024 University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) Commencement to be held on Monday, May 20, 2024.

A hopeful time for Cryptosporidium research

Boris Striepen of Penn Vet organized the First Biennial Cryptosporidium Meeting, bringing together researchers and clinicians from around the world to discuss the problems and progress around the parasite and the diarrheal disease it causes.

Understanding disease prevalence in Pennsylvania wild turkeys

Researchers from Penn Vet’s Wildlife Futures Program are collaborating with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Penn State on a multi-year turkey study.

Penn Vet Announces mRNA Research Initiative to Advance Veterinary Vaccine Science

The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) announced the launch of the School’s mRNA Research Initiative to fast-track the development of veterinary mRNA-based vaccines and host-directed therapies.

Penn Vet Kicks Off Construction of New $2.8 Million Richard Lichter Advanced Dentistry and Oral Surgery Suite

The project will revolutionize the oral health, specialty care patient experience for small animals

Understanding chronic wasting disease in deer

A new collaborative study with Penn Vet researchers analyzed fecal samples to shed light on how the fatal disease impacts the gut microbiome in deer, providing a promising tool for disease surveillance.

Researchers breathe new life into lung repair

A collaborative effort from teams across Penn culminates in new techniques to repair lung tissue after damage from flu and COVID-19.

Using fMRI, new vision study finds promising model for restoring cone function

School of Veterinary Medicine and Perelman School of Medicine researchers identified a retinal disease to evaluate the success of gene and cell replacement therapy.

Regenerative Ag Alliance promotes stream health through agroforestry

After meticulous planning, the Alliance planted an initial 250 trees at New Bolton Center with assistance from enthusiastic volunteers and students from Penn Vet and Weitzman. The project aims to enhance water quality in local streams and develop a replicable agroforestry model for the region. Next steps include planting additional areas of shrubs and trees, allowing native plants and grazing livestock to coexist on the same land, creating exciting opportunities for students, researchers, and faculty.

By the Numbers: Penn Vet’s agricultural impact

In addition to excellence in teaching and clinical care for companion animals, Penn Vet makes indispensable contributions to the state’s agriculture sector.

The Endangered Species Act at 50

Ahead of the anniversary, experts from four schools across the University share their thoughts on the landmark legislation.

Three takeaways on respiratory illness in dogs

Deborah Silverstein of the School of Veterinary Medicine advises dog owners to stay calm but take certain precautions.

Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine Shed New Light on the Evolution of Adaptive Immunity in Cold-Blooded Vertebrates

[December 1, 2023; Philadelphia, PA] – Upon infection or immunization, all jawed vertebrate species generate proteins called antibodies that bind and neutralize pathogens. Strong and long-lasting antibody responses in warm-blooded species such as mammals are produced in secondary lymphoid microstructures (SLMs) among which germinal centers (GCs) are the centerpiece.

Who, What, Why: John Donges

For more than two decades John Donges has worn many hats while working at Penn Vet. This year, he served as editor of the 100th issue of Bellwether, Penn Vet’s alumni magazine.

Wry Not’s Triumph Over a Twisted Fate

Uncovering the role of skin microbiome and immune response in cutaneous leishmaniasis

Two new studies led by Phillip Scott of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Elizabeth Grice of the Perelman School of Medicine demonstrate how bacteria found in leishmaniasis skin lesions and an associated immune response drive disease burden and treatment failure—and suggest new possibilities for treatment of the parasitic disease.

Study shows promise for iNKT cell platform to treat cancer

Researchers from the School of Veterinary Medicine and Perelman School of Medicine have shown that invariant natural killer T cells from a healthy donor can persist in MHC-mismatched canines, demonstrating a reliable platform to inform human clinical trials.

Celebrating a Century: A new endowed scholarship at Penn Vet honors the legacy of Jack Wilkins, V’52

How do you celebrate a lifetime of impact? For the Wilkins family, creating an endowed scholarship for aspiring veterinarians was an especially meaningful way to honor John Langley Wilkins, V’52.