From Dishwasher to Head of Drug Development
Looking to earn some extra cash as a UW School of Veterinary Medicine student, Diane Larsen DVM'90, PhD'99 began washing dishes in a research lab at the SVM. As her role in the lab grew, Larsen became "very, very interested in research," igniting a spark that has continued to burn throughout her career. Here she walks us through a day in the life of her work heading drug development for the global pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim.
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School News
The latest updates on research, faculty and staff, and other happenings at the school.
In August, the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents approved the UW System capital budget, which included the School of Veterinary Medicine's building expansion project. Following their meeting, a group of UW Regents and staff visited the SVM to tour our facility and learn more about the expansion project. The school will continue to work with the governor's office and the legislature to include this project in the 2019-21 state budget.
The summer issue of On Call is now online, highlighting two SVM outreach partnerships that deliver veterinary medical care to underserved communities, a "miracle mutt" who received orthopedic surgery at UW Veterinary Care, and much more.
 As part of the Madison Metropolitan School District's Personalized Pathways program in healthcare, UW Veterinary Care hosted seven high school students throughout the hospital this summer, helping them gain skills in working as part of a veterinary medical team
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Merck Animal Health and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners presented Sheila McGuirk with the Mentor of the Year Award, recognizing her commitment to mentoring the next generations of bovine veterinarians. McGuirk retired in 2016 after 33 years on the UW SVM faculty.
The School of Veterinary Medicine will provide support for the Forward BIO Institute, one component of a collaborative effort announced in September to make Wisconsin a recognized center of excellence for biomanufacturing.
SVM Research Roundup
- Associate Professor Chad Vezina led a new study showing for the first time that non-bladder cells from a nearby anatomical structure called the Wolffian duct can provide an assist in bladder self-repair, contributing cells that migrate to the bladder, adopt bladder-like characteristics, and help restore the organ's function.
- Professor Joan Jorgensen PhD'93 and others discovered that two genes work together to construct a cellular communication system in the ovaries of mice to maintain healthy eggs. The research provides a piece of the puzzle of female infertility and could bolster future work on premature ovarian failure and other fertility problems.
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Continuing Education
Upcoming courses to help advance your career.
September 26-28
Dairyland Initiative Workshops
The Ingleside Hotel, Pewaukee, Wis.
October 2
End-of-Life Care for Pets
Marriott Madison West, Middleton, Wis.
October 26
Oncology Updates: Practical Information About Cancer
Sheraton Madison
October 31-November 1
Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin Herdsperson Conference
Marshfield and Arlington Agricultural Research Stations
Continuing Education via Distance Learning
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Alumni Updates
The latest news about your classmates and items of special interest to alumni.
Mallory Bonstrom DVM'18 has
joined the Wauwatosa Veterinary Clinic.
Inspired by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the veterinary hospital that
Jordan Kobilca DVM'00 long dreamed of has come to fruition -- his Door County Veterinary Hospital (pictured at right) in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin,
earned a Merit Award in the 2018 dvm360 Hospital Design Competition.
Manette Kohler DVM'91 has released her first children's book, "
Bella's First Checkup." A chapter book for young readers, it gives families a glimpse into veterinary clinics and how to raise a behaviorally healthy pup.
Douglas Kratt DVM'98, a small animal practitioner in Onalaska, Wisconsin,
launched his campaign for 2019-20 American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) president-elect at the annual session of the AVMA House of Delegates in Denver in July.
Caitlin Rinker DVM'17, a partner at Novak Rinker Veterinary Clinic in Ottawa, Illinois,
spoke at Illinois Valley Community College's New Student Convocation in August.
In Memoriam
Brian Castle MS'86 of Monroe, Connecticut, passed away in July after a courageous battle with cholangiocarcinoma. Castle worked as a research scientist and retired in April from Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals in Danbury after 27 years of service.
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Ongoing Clinical Trials
Dogs with Disc Herniation
The Small Animal Neurology and Internal Medicine services are recruiting dogs with acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation, Hansen type I, localized to T3-L3, that undergoes surgical decompression.
This study will investigate the natural clinical course of bacteria in the urine of dogs following decompressive surgery to help develop future antibiotic recommendations in this clinical population, as antibiotic therapy may be unnecessary.
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Upcoming Events
September 28
SAVMA Annual Fall Auction
Veterinary Medicine Building
4:30-9:00 p.m.
October 3
Wednesday Nite @ the Lab: 100+ Years of Influenza
Genetics Biotechnology Center
Live videostream available
7:00-9:00 p.m.
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