In Short

Zoetis opens laboratory at Colorado State

Zoetis Inc. researchers plan to develop immunotherapies for livestock in a 3,000-square-foot laboratory at Colorado State University's biological science research complex.

The company plans to hire about 20 livestock research scientists, immunologists, and cell biologists starting this fall for research on livestock immune systems at the Zoetis Incubator Research Laboratory starting in early 2020. The research will take place in existing facilities, and CSU officials plan to finish laboratory renovations to that space by Dec. 1, a university spokesperson said.

Zoetis plans to focus initial work on biotherapeutics for cattle, with potential applications later for use in pigs and poultry, according to a joint announcement from CSU and Zoetis. The work could help Zoetis create alternatives to antimicrobials for use in food-producing animals, it states.

CSU officials expected Zoetis would recruit some of the laboratory's employees from CSU, especially during a career fair in September, the university spokesperson said.

The CSU Research Innovation Center is a 17,000-square-foot biological science research complex with biosafety level 2 laboratory space. It is part of the CSU Foothills Campus in Fort Collins.

AKC Canine Health Foundation honors Oberbauer

The American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation announced Aug. 5 that Anita Oberbauer, PhD, is the recipient of the 2019 Asa Mays, DVM Excellence in Canine Health Research Award.

Dr. Oberbauer is a professor of animal science and associate dean in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of California-Davis. Previously, she chaired the Department of Animal Science and was at the forefront of incorporating companion animals into the animal science curriculum.

Her research program emphasizes cellular components regulating skeletal growth and body composition and the genetic basis for health disorders in dogs and cattle. She has trained more than 30 doctoral students, master's students, and visiting scholars. She is a director on the board of the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, provides numerous invited talks on canine genetics, and serves on federal grant review panels and journal editorial boards.

Education council schedules site visits

The AVMA Council on Education has scheduled site visits to five schools and colleges of veterinary medicine for the remainder of 2019.

Comprehensive site visits are planned for Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Oct. 13-17; Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Nov. 3-7; Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Nov. 17-21; and the University of Montreal Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Dec. 8-12.

A consultative site visit is planned for the University of Cambridge Department of Veterinary Science, Dec. 1-5.

The council welcomes written comments on these plans or the programs to be evaluated. Comments should be addressed to Dr. Karen Martens Brandt, Director, Education and Research Division, AVMA, 1931 N. Meacham Road, Suite 100, Schaumburg, IL 60173. Comments must be signed by the person submitting them to be considered.

Please send comments and story ideas to JAVMANewsavma [dot] org (JAVMANews[at]avma[dot]org).