On December 15, students of the Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology (CMIB) graduate program at the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine graduated at the Breslin Student Events Center. After earning an MS or PhD, these students will go on to pursue employment, fellowships, additional education, and other opportunities.
“As with previous classes, these students are extremely bright, and have a world of possibilities ahead of them,” says Dr. Vilma Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan, associate dean for the College’s Office of Research and Graduate Studies. “They truly are exemplary of the College and its Strategic Plan, which in part is to produce top-notch graduates of a learner-centered, high-value program. It’s with great pride that me and my colleagues celebrate our students’ achievements.”
The CMIB Program focuses on providing scientists who are able to translate advances in biology into the prevention and treatment of diseases and meet other challenges. CMIB graduates go on to work in scholarly research and teaching, public policy, clinical practice, medicine, and health care.
For more information about the CMIB Program, contact Dimity Palazzola.
Jean Brudvig, DVM, MPH, DACVP, is graduating with her PhD. She was mentored by Dr. Linda Mansfield. Brudvig’s research project is the “Interplay of host and pathogen factors determines immunity and clinical outcome following Campylobacter jejuni infection in mice.” Brudvig earned her DVM from Iowa State University and her BS in biology/chemistry and MPH from the University of Iowa, and she completed her residency at MSU in veterinary clinical pathology. After graduation, she plans to look for future job opportunities.
Sarah Jacob, DVM, DACVIM, is graduating with her PhD. She was mentored by Drs. Helene Pazak and Molly McCue. Jacob’s research project is the “Metabolomics allows for insight into metabolic alterations and perturbations associated with dietary carbohydrate profiles, aging, and insulin dysregulation in horses.” Jacob earned her BS in Animal Science and DVM from MSU, and she completed her residency at the University of Wisconsin in large animal internal medicine. After graduation, she will begin a fellowship.
Megan Shavalier, DVM, is graduating with her PhD. She was mentored by Dr. Mohamed Faisal. Shavalier’s research project is the “Investigations on the intricate interactions between epizootic epitheliotropic disease virus (salmonid herpesvirus-3) and its host, the lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush).” Shavalier earned her BS in Zoology and DVM from MSU. After graduation, she plans to look at future job opportunities.
Kaitlyn Sherer is graduating with her PhD in Neuroscience. She was mentored by Dr. Ashlee Rowe. Her research project is the “Functional consequences of amino acid variation in pain-pathway KV1 channels in a wild rodent (Onychomys) exhibiting reduced sensitivity to the pain-inducing venom of their prey (Centruroides).” Sherer earned her BS in Zoology from MSU. After graduating, she will finish earning her DVM at MSU.
Kyan Thelen is graduating with her MS. She was mentored by Dr. Andres Contreras. Thelen’s research project is the “Alternatives for improving the adipogenic potential in cellular models of perivascular adipose tissue.” Thelen earned her BS in Animal Science at MSU. After graduation, she will begin a lab manager position with Dr. Adam Moeser.