A 1988 graduate of Purdue University's School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Amelia Woolums is a leading expert in bovine immunity and bovine respiratory disease (BRD).
Her interest in this particular area of veterinary medicine first developed after she completed a combined large animal internal medicine residency and Master of Veterinary Science degree program at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) in 1991.
For her graduate research project, she worked with WCVM researchers Drs. Hugh Townsend and Joyce Van Donkersgoed. The study aimed to characterize the epidemiology of enzootic calf pneumonia on Saskatchewan dairy farms.
"I had a small project nested within that study where I compared the cellular changes in trans-tracheal aspirates collected from calves showing signs of respiratory disease to those not showing symptoms," explains Woolums.
This experience, plus an encounter with a calf that presented to the WCVM with a severe bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) infection, led Woolums to focus on BRD and the bovine immune response to respiratory infection.
"My time at the WCVM had a major impact on my career and what I'm doing today," says Woolums, who later completed a PhD at the University of California (Davis) in 1998 that centred on BRSV infection and vaccination in calves.
Woolums is now based at the University of Georgia where she's a professor and a large animal internist.
While much of her research work revolves around BRD, Woolums often collaborates with colleagues on projects related to other diseases such as bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and clostridial infection, with the primary objective of looking at the immune response or vaccine efficacy.
With her vast knowledge in BRD and immunity, it's no surprise that Woolums has been asked to speak at the WCVM's 2012 June Conference.
Her lectures, to be presented on June 9, will provide information in three different but related areas relevant to BRD.
"I'll be giving an update on a very interesting and problematic respiratory pathogen, Mycoplasma bovis," says Woolums, adding that she'll also discuss effective vaccine use for controlling BRD.
As well, Woolums will share the results of a recent survey related to the identification of risk factors associated with BRD in nursing beef calves.
"Sometimes called ‘summer pneumonia,' BRD in pre-weaning beef calves appears to be a big problem for some cow-calf producers and not a problem at all for others, suggesting that certain management practices are linked to the development of disease," she explains.
Woolums is truly looking forward to the continuing education conference that will take place from June 7 to 9.
"I find that conferences such as this give me time to think," she says. "Most veterinarians I know are so busy that they barely have time to think in detail about much – at least, I certainly feel this way. When I attend a conference, I feel like I have an excuse to stop and think quietly about a specific topic for an hour or more."
With her experience as a faculty member at the UGA, Woolums is also excited about the teaching aspect of the upcoming conference.
"I really love teaching. I very much enjoy the opportunity to share my knowledge with people who are interested," she says. "I get a real thrill from making a connection with people who want to learn about my area of expertise."
Visit www.wcvm.com/junecon2012 for registration information and to view the conference's program and speaker biographies.
Her interest in this particular area of veterinary medicine first developed after she completed a combined large animal internal medicine residency and Master of Veterinary Science degree program at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) in 1991.
For her graduate research project, she worked with WCVM researchers Drs. Hugh Townsend and Joyce Van Donkersgoed. The study aimed to characterize the epidemiology of enzootic calf pneumonia on Saskatchewan dairy farms.
"I had a small project nested within that study where I compared the cellular changes in trans-tracheal aspirates collected from calves showing signs of respiratory disease to those not showing symptoms," explains Woolums.
This experience, plus an encounter with a calf that presented to the WCVM with a severe bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) infection, led Woolums to focus on BRD and the bovine immune response to respiratory infection.
"My time at the WCVM had a major impact on my career and what I'm doing today," says Woolums, who later completed a PhD at the University of California (Davis) in 1998 that centred on BRSV infection and vaccination in calves.
Woolums is now based at the University of Georgia where she's a professor and a large animal internist.
While much of her research work revolves around BRD, Woolums often collaborates with colleagues on projects related to other diseases such as bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and clostridial infection, with the primary objective of looking at the immune response or vaccine efficacy.
With her vast knowledge in BRD and immunity, it's no surprise that Woolums has been asked to speak at the WCVM's 2012 June Conference.
Her lectures, to be presented on June 9, will provide information in three different but related areas relevant to BRD.
"I'll be giving an update on a very interesting and problematic respiratory pathogen, Mycoplasma bovis," says Woolums, adding that she'll also discuss effective vaccine use for controlling BRD.
As well, Woolums will share the results of a recent survey related to the identification of risk factors associated with BRD in nursing beef calves.
"Sometimes called ‘summer pneumonia,' BRD in pre-weaning beef calves appears to be a big problem for some cow-calf producers and not a problem at all for others, suggesting that certain management practices are linked to the development of disease," she explains.
Woolums is truly looking forward to the continuing education conference that will take place from June 7 to 9.
"I find that conferences such as this give me time to think," she says. "Most veterinarians I know are so busy that they barely have time to think in detail about much – at least, I certainly feel this way. When I attend a conference, I feel like I have an excuse to stop and think quietly about a specific topic for an hour or more."
With her experience as a faculty member at the UGA, Woolums is also excited about the teaching aspect of the upcoming conference.
"I really love teaching. I very much enjoy the opportunity to share my knowledge with people who are interested," she says. "I get a real thrill from making a connection with people who want to learn about my area of expertise."
Visit www.wcvm.com/junecon2012 for registration information and to view the conference's program and speaker biographies.
Share this story