Innovation and Collaboration Shine at 30th Annual Penn Vet Research Retreat

The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) celebrated its history of groundbreaking research during the 30th Anniversary Research Retreat, held at the Inn at Swarthmore on November 1, 2024. 

Welcoming more than 100 Penn Vet faculty, staff, and post docs to exchange knowledge and explore the future of institutional research, the event showcased three decades of progress in veterinary and human medicine — in alignment with the 30th anniversary of the annual retreat.  

This year’s retreat not only celebrated past achievements, but also illuminated new frontiers in veterinary research, reaffirming Penn Vet’s commitment to improving animal health and welfare while contributing to significant advances in human medicine. 

“This event is an opportunity to break down silos and reflect on the diverse research efforts taking place,” said Vice Dean for Research and Academic Resources Phil Scott, PhD, who delivered opening remarks. “While we celebrate our past achievements, we must also focus on the future, which will be supported by the extraordinary talent we have among our assistant professors and junior faculty. Together, we will ensure that Penn Vet’s research continues to thrive and make a meaningful impact.”

During the event, Chair of the Pathobiology Department Igor E. Brodsky, PhD; Chair of the Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine Department Mark Oyama, DVM, MSCE, DACVIM; Chair of the Biomedical Sciences Department Christopher Lengner, PhD; and Chair of the New Bolton Center Clinical Studies Department Katrin Hinrichs, DVM, PhD, presented on the strengths of the Penn Vet research enterprise and outlined broad challenges facing the scientific community. 

The day’s slate of events also included eight 20-minute talks from early-career faculty on topics ranging from the epidemiology of equine hepatitis to comparative oncogenomics for canine and human patients. 

A focal point of the day’s program was the Robert R. Marshak Lecture, established in 1993 in honor of Dean Emeritus Robert Marshak, Penn Vet’s ninth dean. Delivered by Professor of Immunology and Director of the Institute for Immunology at the Perelman School of Medicine E. John Wherry, PhD, the keynote address, “Using the Immune System as Our New Drug Paradigm: From T Cell Exhaustion to Immune Health,” outlined the significance of immunological research regarding chronic infections and cancer.  

Throughout the event, attendees had the opportunity to explore a research poster session showcasing a variety of ongoing research projects. A total of 39 posters were presented by nine faculty, 12 postdoctoral fellows, five residents, two research fellows, nine staff members, and two students.  

The 30th Anniversary Research Retreat also featured the naming of the 2024 Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence recipient, Assistant Professor of Veterinary Pharmacology and Director of the New Bolton Center Equine Pharmacology Research Laboratory Mary A. Robinson, VMD, PhD, DACVCP.