Greetings, CVM Community —
One of the greatest privileges of serving as dean is getting a front-row seat to the many ways our community brings the College’s mission to life. This issue of INSIGHTS is a vivid reminder that veterinary medicine knows no boundaries—geographic, disciplinary, or otherwise. From the remote mountains of Veracruz to the radioactive forests of Chornobyl, from lab benches to pastures to policy meetings, Spartans are there serving the CVM mission.
Learning happens everywhere in our College—from lecture halls to soccer fields turned mobile clinics. In this issue, you’ll read about students who gained hands-on experience and cultural understanding through an equine clerkship in rural Mexico. You’ll also meet educators like Donna Harris, one of the country’s only veterinary futurists, who’s helping students anticipate and shape the future of the profession, and Sarah Machniak, who’s redefining what it means to be a veterinary nurse while connecting with students across Michigan. These stories underscore how learning is not just about mastering technical skills—it’s about building awareness, empathy, and confidence.
DiscoverOur researchers are asking bold questions with global relevance. From Drs. Zimmerman and Watson’s work studying host-pathogen interactions in the gut microbiome to Dr. Rogovsky’s studies identifying microbial markers in ticks from the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, our teams are generating knowledge that cuts across disciplines. These discoveries don’t happen in isolation—they grow from a research environment fueled by collaboration, curiosity, and the support of colleagues locally and globally. It’s this One Health approach to inquiry that makes it possible to turn ideas into impact—and to train the next generation of scientists along the way.
Our clinicians are pioneering new tools to improve outcomes—like MSU’s first use of laser ablation to treat an equine gastric polyp, performed by Dr. Lauren Bookbinder. Thanks to her thoughtful innovation and collaboration, that equine athlete is ready to return to the show ring. This issue also highlights the global perspective of longtime faculty member Dr. John Kaneene, whose work continues to connect veterinary and public health challenges from Michigan to East Africa.
ProtectAs veterinary professionals, we understand the importance of postmortem examinations in diagnosing disease, but the value of necropsies extends beyond determining cause of death. In this issue, Dr. Sledge explores the many reasons animals are submitted for necropsy—from providing closure for grieving pet owners to helping livestock farmers manage herd health. Similarly essential to protecting health is ensuring the safety of the food we consume. Alum Jill Hoffman talks about her path to becoming a leader in this traditionally male-dominated field, and her work to support the next generation of women in food safety.
Every story in this issue is a window into the values that define our College: excellence, service, compassion, and innovation. Whether you’re a student, faculty member, alum, or friend, thank you for being part of this extraordinary community. Your work and support keep our mission moving forward—and the impact of that is felt far beyond our campus.
Go Green!
Kim Dodd, DVM, PhD, MS
Dean,
College of Veterinary Medicine,
Michigan State University