"The College of Veterinary Medicine produces not only well-trained veterinary clinicians and researchers, but also generates new knowledge through research in many areas of biomedical sciences."
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Veterinary medicine impacts almost every critical aspect of human life: the food we eat and the clothes we wear; our physical, emotional, and economic well-being; and the quality of our environment. Few people are aware of the enormous diversity of job opportunities that exist in veterinary medical sciences. In addition to the well-known private practice D.V.M., veterinary scientists serve in government, industry, and academia in a plethora of roles.
Institutions of higher learning produce two primary products: the creation of new knowledge through research and graduates who put this knowledge to work in society to enhance personal development, the quality of life, and the operation and productivity of our businesses, government, and other institutions. The College of Veterinary Medicine produces not only well-trained veterinary clinicians and researchers, but also generates new knowledge through research in many areas of biomedical sciences.
Dean Joseph W. Alexander firmly believes that teaching and research are inseparable. A complete scholar not only teaches a modern, up-to-date course through library research and preparation but also conducts and directs active laboratory or clinical research. Research compliments good teaching by stimulating the intellect and maintaining the inquisitive nature of the scholar. Research is an essential component of scholarship in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Research in the College is varied and diverse both in its nature and the systems studied. The College faculty itself is diverse: many hold a Ph.D. degree instead of or in addition to a D.V.M. degree. Similarly, students involved in College research programs may be in the professional D.V.M. program or M.S./Ph.D. graduate students. Research programs themselves range from molecular to clinical, and address problems as varied as animal health and human biomedical research.
The OSU College of Veterinary Medicine has long been a leader in the field of hemoparasite disease research and developed the original vaccine for bovine anaplasmosis. Research in the College continues to break new ground in anaplasmosis. Other research programs focus on parasites causing human and canine ehrlichiosis.
Testing and evaluation of new vaccines for bovine and equine diseases is also conducted by researchers in the College. Other investigators are involved in the development of newer, more sensitive diagnostic tests for viral, bacterial, and parasitic diseases of cats, horses, monkeys, seals, and humans. The composition and biological activity of venoms from a variety of poisonous snakes and spiders is also being investigated to aid development of more effective anti-venoms.
College researchers are also examining various physiological processes such as regulation of gene expression during establishment of pregnancy and identification of environmental factors contributing to development of ascites in poultry. Pharmacologists are studying the action and pharmacokinetics of various drugs used to treat cardiac arrhythmia and animal diseases. Research in the College even extends to examination of the effects of toxic wastes on indigenous animal populations and the potential use of these changes as biomarkers for assessing human hazards associated with toxic waste sites.
Clinical research activities are varied in nature as well. In association with the OSU Center for Laser Development and Application, College researchers lead studies which explore the use of lasers in medicine. The potential of new lasers and novel techniques are tested, and new surgical procedures utilizing laser technology are being developed. Some applications of laser surgery are of immediate and direct benefit to animal patients in the College teaching hospital, and others are developed as preliminaries to human application.
Veterinary medicine serves as the medical arm of agriculture and is the foundation of health for man's animal companions. The field contributes directly to the improvement of human medicine and surgery, and is a sentinel of environmental protection. Looking to the future, the College is committed to the expansion of existing research programs and the development of new programs so that we can continue to contribute maximally to a healthier life for Oklahomans and all Americans, man or animal.