Virginia Tech veterinary scholars excel at national pathology meeting
November 9, 2023
The Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine showcased its talent at the annual American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP) and American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP) meeting in Chicago last month.
Clinical pathology residents and Ph.D. candidates Marlie Nightengale, Christina Pacholec, and Brie Trusiano participated in the ACVP Veterinary Students and Residents Forum. This unique forum allows veterinary students and prospective pathology residents to interact with peers and mentors in a collegial setting.
Trusiano expressed her gratitude and optimism for the future. "I am lucky to be a pathologist at this point,” Trusiano said “We are learning and expanding in many ways, and it is our job as the next generation of pathologists to carry the specialty forward. (For example, AI is your friend!)" She also showcased her Ph.D. project, focusing on the hypereosinophilic syndrome model, through a poster and a platform presentation.
The conference was also a stage for Virginia Tech undergraduates Kennedi Essex and Angel Collins, former MAOP participants in the summer of 2023, who presented their research posters. Collins further engaged the audience with an oral presentation that garnered much praise.
Graduate students Sai Navya Vadlamudi and Laura V. Q. Contreras also had the opportunity to present their work. "I had the chance to interact with many other researchers and professionals at the conference, and I found these interactions to be invaluable, as they provided a platform for sharing ideas and learning from the experience of others,” Vadlamudi said.
"The key takeaway from this conference was understanding current trends and challenges in veterinary pathology. I gained exposure to different approaches and methodologies to apply to my work,” Vadlamudi said. “I would highly recommend it to other students. It is a good opportunity to expand your knowledge, connect with experts, and stay updated on the latest developments."
Attendees benefited from sessions on current trends in veterinary pathology, with topics ranging from forensic pathology to wildlife pathology and sessions focused on career development and wellness.
Priscila B. S. Serpa, a research assistant professor of clinical pathology in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology at the college, praised the students' achievements, "I am very proud of our students and all that they were able to achieve," Serpa said.
