WCVM-based graduate students receive degrees at USask Spring Convocation

Nine graduates received their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees and seven graduates received their Master of Science (MSc) degrees during the ceremony. In addition, five veterinarians successfully completed their one-year veterinary (clinical) internships at the WCVM.

These successful USask graduates are part of the WCVM's thriving graduate program that includes more than 200 graduate students, residents and clinical interns representing more than 30 countries.

Jennifer Abi Younes, PhD program
Supervisor: Dr. Cheryl Waldner
Title of thesis: “Investigation of diagnostic sampling strategies in feedlot calves comparing traditional culture-based analysis to metagenomic tools for the identification of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance status.” Click here to read.

Snapshot
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD), is one of the largest challenges facing beef cattle feedlots. Since injectable antibiotic drugs are still key to treating and controlling the disease, the potential for antimicrobial resistance is growing. Accurately detecting bacterial pathogens and their susceptibility to certain antibiotics is critical to responsible antimicrobial use, but traditional diagnostic testing has longstanding limitations. Younes’ work explored the method of long-read metagenomic sequencing to simultaneously detect BRD-related bacterial disease agents and measure the level of antimicrobial resistance in a more comprehensive manner. Results showed that early, targeted sampling — using either approach — enhances understanding, supports pen-level diagnostic testing and allows for more effective, informed responses to BRD infection.

Hannah Burlet, MSc program
Supervisor: Dr. Matheus Costa
Title of thesis: “The influence of gestational vitamin supplementation on sow and piglet performance and passage of maternal immunoglobulin G.” Click here to read.

Snapshot
In North America, swine producers commonly increase vitamin supplements to pigs’ diets beyond the nutrient requirements recommended by the National Research Council. Increasing vitamin supplementation has been demonstrated to improve aspects of reproductive performance, litter characteristics and passive immunity (transfer of maternal antibodies). Burlet’s research aimed to understand how providing additional vitamins to pregnant sows can influence the performance of mothers and their piglets, as well as the transfer of maternal antibodies to piglets. Overall, Burlet reported that gestational diet didn’t consistently affect sow reproductive performance, litter characteristics or aspects of passive immunity. Positive treatment effects seen in this study support further investigation of enhancing vitamin supplementation during gestation.

Emmanuel Donbraye, PhD program
Supervisor: Dr. Cheryl Waldner
Title of thesis: “Metagenomic detection of viruses of the respiratory tract in arriving feedlot calves to inform vaccine gaps and risk assessment for bovine respiratory disease.” Click here to read.

Snapshot
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a leading cause of death and economic loss in feedlot cattle, but traditional diagnostic tools often fall short — restricting the scope of surveillance and early detection. In this thesis, Donbraye explored the “one-test-for-all” approach to support BRD diagnostics and surveillance: a single test that can simultaneously identify viruses, bacteria and antimicrobial resistance genes. Donbraye’s research focused on the use of nanopore metagenomic sequencing and Bayesian modelling to heighten the capabilities of pathogen detection and the evaluation of diagnostic performance. The research supports the integration of metagenomic sequencing into routine surveillance and demonstrates the potential for a single sequencing protocol to detect respiratory viruses and bacteria.

Roman Nosach, MSc program
Supervisor: Dr. John Harding
Title of thesis: “Analysis of behavioral changes in pigs experimentally infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus using the NUtrack Livestock Monitoring System.”

Snapshot
For swine producers, early detection of behavioural changes indicating illness is crucial for effective intervention and protection of the swine herd. A precision technology tool called the “NUtrack Livestock Monitoring System” can improve human observation as a method for symptom monitoring. In his research project, Nosach investigated how this high-tech tool can improve the detection of clinical illness signs in swine. His findings also showed how the presence of “observing humans” can influence swine behaviour. 

Dana Ramsay, PhD program
Supervisor: Dr. Cheryl Waldner
Title of thesis: “The potential of antimicrobial resistance diagnostics to inform prudent antimicrobial use in feedlot cattle: dynamic models as tools for optimizing interventions in bovine respiratory disease.” Click here to read.

Snapshot
The misuse and overuse of antimicrobial drugs in agriculture is accelerating the development of disease pathogens that can resist commonly used drugs. The creation of these pathogens with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could lead to increased animal mortality and food insecurity. Since bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is frequently treated with antibiotic drugs, the use of diagnostic tests to reduce the use of antimicrobials and the growth of AMR is critical. In her thesis, Ramsay studied how population-level AMR develops in BRD pathogens using dynamic models — mathematical representations of the complex interactions in food production systems. Ramsay also developed and calibrated a feedlot simulation tool to assist with this evaluation of diagnostic tools.

Yona Al-Tahir, MSc program
Supervisor: Dr. Adelaine Leung
Title of thesis: “Nucb1 characterization within the Drosophila melanogaster gastrointestinal tract.” Click here to read.

Snapshot
Researchers are working to understand factors involved in regulating appetite as a means of mitigating the prevalence of obesity — a growing epidemic in the human population. One such protein observed to have a role in appetite and metabolic regulation in a wide variety of animals is called nucleobindin-1 (Nucb1). In this thesis, Al-Tahir aimed to characterize Nucb1 expression and function in the gastrointestinal tract of the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) to learn more about the molecular mechanism of Nucb1’s function. This thesis represents the first research to explore Nucb1 expression and function in the gastrointestinal tract using an organism that only contains a singular copy of nucleobindin.

Nitin Challa, PhD program
Supervisor: Dr. Matthew Loewen
Title of thesis (embargoed): “Molecular mechanisms of colonic epithelial chloride transport disruption induced by Brachyspira hampsonii.”

Shayla Jesse, MSc program
Supervisor: Dr. Daniel MacPhee
Title of thesis (embargoed): “The responses of small heat shock proteins to unrestrained tension in a human myometrial cell line.”

Phoebe Johnson, MSc program
Supervisor: Dr. Karen Machin
Title of thesis: “Evaluating the effects of a plastics additive on avian physiology.” Click here to read. 

Snapshot
Ingestion of plastic products is becoming more common among wildlife, particularly wild birds. Part of the danger from ingestion stems from the addition of chemicals such as UV-328 to many products. Such chemicals are typically used as an additive to protect plastics from sunlight. But in spring 2023, international regulatory bodies labelled UV-328 as an organic pollutant of emerging concern due to its toxic characteristics. In her graduate project, Johnson investigated the physiological impacts of UV-328 on mallard ducks to fill key gaps in researchers’ understanding of plastic pollution and avian health. Johnson found that doses of UV-328 negatively affected liver function in mallards. Future research needs to be done to gain more knowledge about the chemical’s potential hazards to wildlife health.

Gagan Kolimadu, PhD program
Supervisor: Dr. Matthew Loewen
Title of thesis (embargoed): “Development and evaluation of faba bean protein concentrates for aquafeeds: impacts of cultivar selection, microbial fermentation, and air classification on nutritional performance and pellet quality in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).”

Barbara Ribeiro de Souza, MSc program
Supervisor: Dr. Maud Ferrari
Title of thesis (embargoed): “Kinetics and physiological outcomes of influenza A viruses infection on multiple cell lines.”

Victoria Gonzalez, PhD program
Supervisor: Dr. Arinjay Banerjee
Title of thesis: “Host-pathogen dynamics in bat reservoirs: mechanisms underlying interferon mediated antiviral responses and viral immune evasion.” Click here to read.

Snapshot
Bats are known for their ability to contract and withstand viruses that are much more severe when encountered by people and livestock. However, the way this tolerance functions and what factors affect the immune response in bats isn’t well understood. Gonzalez’s work focused on investigating certain immune system adaptations that are unique to bats which allow them to host viruses without signs of disease. Gonzalez observed that the cells of multiple bat species can start an early immune system response, despite the virus attempting to interrupt the process. This adaptation may explain why bats can contract and carry viruses without suffering ill effects. Gonzalez’s thesis sheds light on the co-evolution of host antiviral proteins and viral immune antagonists in diverse bat species and provides new tools to study virus-host interactions.

Isabel Hernandez Davila, PhD program
Supervisors: Drs. Vikram Misra, Arinjay Banerjee and Darryl Falzarano
Title of thesis: “Molecular interactions of a bat alphacoronavirus with its natural host.” Click here to read.

Snapshot
Scientists believe bats have evolved alongside coronaviruses that pose a threat to humans and other animals; the bats themselves can host the viruses and not display signs of disease. However, the mechanisms underlying this interaction between bats and their associated coronaviruses is poorly understood. Davila’s studied how a naturally occurring bat coronavirus, Myotis lucifugus coronavirus (Myl-CoV), interacts with its evolutionary host, the North American little brown bat, by observing how proteins from the virus bind to bat cells. Results demonstrated that the bat coronavirus (Myl-CoV) can use certain proteins (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) from little brown bats to initiate infection of cells from the bats and some other mammalian species.

Cody Malone, PhD program
Supervisor: Dr. Emily Jenkins
Title of thesis: “Trichinella chanchalensis and other Trichinella spp. in northern North American wildlife.” Click here to read.

Snapshot
WCVM scientists recently discovered a new species of Trichinella parasite (Trichinella chanchalensis or T. chanchalensis) in wolverines from Yukon and Northwest Territories. Trichinella spp. are zoonotic, foodborne parasites that pose significant risks to public health. During his PhD program, Malone worked to categorize this new parasite by studying the infected wolverines, along with examining other instances of Trichinella found in wild carnivores from Nunavut and Alaska. Malone’s work involved recovering parasites from infected animals and using genetic testing to assess the prevalence, diversity and intensity of each parasite species. Malone detected T. chanchalensis in additional hosts: lynx, wolves and a coyote. Malone also showed that this parasite species is resistant to freezing and can live inside a host alongside other species of Trichinella. These findings are highly valued, as evaluating the presence of Trichinella is key to determining food safety in northern communities. Visit WCVM Today to read a story about Malone's research. 

Mathieu Paulin, PhD program
Supervisor: Dr. Liz Snead
Title of thesis: “A perspective in canine medicine for the use of copeptin as a surrogate for plasma arginine vasopressin hormone.” Click here to read.

Snapshot
Arginine vasopressin (AVP) plays a key role in regulating circulatory systems and hydration levels, but it’s very difficult to study and measure. Alternatively, researchers in human medicine use plasma copeptin (CoP) in labs as it’s a far more stable subject for scientific testing and much easier to observe. In this thesis, Paulin outlined the role of plasma CoP in diagnosing and monitoring endocrine and non-endocrine disorders in humans, with the ultimate goal of encouraging further research to validate CoP use in veterinary clinical settings. Routine measurement of serum CoP in veterinary patients could help veterinarians and researchers better understand the pathology of disorders that cause excessive urination and excessive thirst (polyuria-polydipsia disorders) in dogs and other mammals.

Erinn Schellenberg, combined MSc-residency program
Supervisor: Dr. Candace Lowe
Title of project: “Retrospective study of clinically relevant maxillary and mandibular anatomy in all skull types of dogs and cats.” Click here to read.

Snapshot
Depending on the skull structure of certain dog or cat breeds, veterinarians can face complications while administering dental nerve blocks (local anesthesia) to patients during dental procedures. In her study, Schellenberg used computed tomography (CT) scans to examine multiple cats and dogs with varying skull shapes and dimensions. Her goal was to determine which breeds and skull shapes are most susceptible to accidental injury. Based on her findings, Schellenberg stressed caution when performing certain types of nerve blocks in all cats as well as in small dogs (weighing less than 10 kilograms) with particular skull types. She also recommended the use of average skull measurements to plan for surgical procedures, particularly when CT imaging isn’t available.

Graduate certificate in small animal rotating veterinary internship program

• Rebeca Hurtado Munoz
• Paula Lima Sant’ Anna
• Thamires Fernanda Ramalho Marques

Graduate certificate in small animal specialty veterinary internship program

• Byron Yeu Liang Chong
• Rebeca Hurtado Munoz