WSU Veterinary Students Showcase Cutting-Edge Research at National Symposium
Seven Washington State University veterinary students took center stage at the Veterinary Scholars Symposium in Spokane last weekend, presenting innovative research aimed at improving both animal and human health.
The national event, hosted at the Spokane Convention Center, brought together veterinary scholars from across the country for three days of presentations, collaboration, and networking. It marked the culmination of the Veterinary Scholars Summer Research Program, a 10- to 12-week initiative that immerses students in biomedical research under the guidance of faculty mentors.
Their projects covered a wide range of critical topics — from feline cancer diagnostics and monkeypox vaccine development to livestock health and respiratory disease prevention.
Meet the WSU Presenters and Their Research
Rachel Buzzelle (Third-Year DVM Student)
Project: Investigating how hormonal changes during puberty affect executive function in mice, providing insights that could translate to other mammals.
Interest: Small- or mixed-animal practice
Hometown: Mukilteo, WA
Allison Lind (Third-Year DVM Student)
Project: Exploring micro RNA as a diagnostic and prognostic tool for feline cancers, including pituitary adenomas.
Interest: Veterinary clinical pathology
Hometown: Corvallis, OR
Al-Amin Olojede (Visiting Student, University of Ibadan)
Project: Evaluating the durability and effectiveness of monkeypox vaccines, including a novel single-dose candidate.
Interest: Zoonotic disease and virology
Hometown: Igboora, Oyo, Nigeria
Tunde Olowu (PhD Student in Immunology and Infectious Diseases)
Project: Comparing strains of the bovine anaplasmosis pathogen between Nigeria and other regions to assess global vaccine applicability.
Interest: Immunology and molecular epidemiology
Hometown: Shomolu, Lagos, Nigeria
McKenna Quirk (Second-Year DVM Student)
Project: Assisting in vaccine trials to prevent pneumonia caused by Mesomycoplasma ovipneumoniae in domestic and wild sheep.
Interest: Rural and large-animal medicine
Hometown: Missoula, MT
Lindsey Richmond (PhD/Third-Year DVM Student)
Project: Studying the long-term effects of early-life inflammatory diseases on Holstein dairy cattle health and productivity.
Interest: Epidemiology and population health
Hometown: Mukilteo, WA
Emma Schneider (Second-Year DVM Student)
Project: Examining organic dairy youngstock management, focusing on immunity transfer, respiratory disease, and parasitism.
Interest: Mixed-animal practice with a dairy focus
Hometown: Meridian, ID
This event not only highlights the research excellence at WSU but also underscores the veterinary profession’s critical role in advancing public health, food security, and animal welfare.
Original Source:
“WSU students present research on a national stage at Veterinary Scholars Symposium,” by Josh Babcock, WSU College of Veterinary Medicine (August 14, 2025).
