4

December 2009December 2009December 2009December 2009December 2009

R amiro Isaza, D.V.M., an associate professor of small animal clinical sciences at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, has been selected as oneof six UF faculty members to receive KL2 Scholarships throughUF’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute.

Isaza, who currently serves as chief of the zoological medicineservice, is the only veterinarian in UF’s first group of KL2designees. The KL2 program provides training and professionaldevelopment as well as salary, research and tuition support for aminimum of two years to faculty members who are pursuing agraduate-level degree in a multidisciplinary area of clinicalresearch. Scholars receive an appreciation of diverse clinicalresearch disciplines, an understanding of methodological andanalytic concepts necessary to design rigorous clinical researchand an opportunity to apply their knowledge through a mentoredresearch experience that leads to future grant proposals.

The program is part of the much broader CTSI, which wasestablished at UF in 2008 as the university developed its programsbefore receiving a highly competitive and very prestigiousClinical and Translational Science Award from the NationalInstitutes of Health in July 2009.

“Translational medicine as we think of it within the veterinaryfield is primarily basic research and how we can apply it toanimals,” Isaza said. “But this program seeks ways of applying ourveterinary knowledge to human health. So I’ve chosen to pursue amaster’s degree in public health and focus my training and intereston how non-domestic species can cause disease in people.”

Isaza said he will focus on the occupational risks faced bypeople such as zookeepers, wildlife professionals and even petowners who work with non-domestic species.

“I’m pretty wellversed in the diseases these animals have, but Iwant to communicate effectively with the human healthprofessionals about how these animal diseases can impact humanhealth,” he said, adding that he felt honored to receive the grantbecause it afforded him a unique opportunity to cross-train hisveterinary students.

“The concept of one health, one medicine is only as good ashow well faculty are able to teach the students,” he said.“Ultimately I want to teach the students the importance of an MPHdegree and how to communicate with human health professionalsas well as with clients. This scholarship gives me the opportunityto bridge that gap.”

Marian Limacher, M.D., heads up the CTSI’s training andprofessional development program, which includes the KL2scholarships.

“We’re excited about that quality and potential of our firstKL2 awardees,” Limacher said. “These young professionals havethe opportunity to forge new collaborations and develop newinsights into research that will improve the health of thepopulation.”

Zoo medicine faculty member receives CTSI training grant to furtherknowledge, teaching in translational science

Dr. Ramiro Isaza is shown performing a routine physical examination on a female Asian elephant. Elephants are one of manyspecies seen by UF’s zoological medicine service and an example of potential subjects for Isaza’s future studies in publichealth. (Photo by Sarah Kiewel)

2

I t may have taken federal research biologist Bob Bonde six years to finish his Ph.D., but as he puts it, he’s never let his schooling interfere with his education.

“Much of the information utilized for my dissertation dates back to when I startedworking on manatees more than 30 years ago,” said Bonde, who successfully defended hisdissertation, which focused on population genetics of the manatee, in November at the UFCollege of Veterinary Medicine. He will officially receive his degree December 18 duringUF’s graduate program commencement exercises.

Bonde has spent his entire professional career working with both the U.S. Fish andWildlife Service and the U.S. Geological Survey, where he was assigned to work onpopulation research for the manatee.

“I have always had an interest in genetics and understand the value as it relates toconservation of this endangered species,” Bonde said. “My interests are broad, but mydoctoral program focused only on the manatee genetics issues. I was able to juggle theother responsibilities of my job and still get the genetics program underway.”

To date, the manatee genetics samples Bonde has amassed over the last 20 years haveprovided three other Ph.D. projects, one in the Department of Fisheries in 2000, one in theCollege of Medicine in 2007 and one in the College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008.

Currently Bonde’s name is associated with some 65 scientific publications. In 2006,he co-authored a book, The Florida Manatee: Biology and Conservation, with Dr. RogerReep, a professor of neuroscience in the CVM’s department of physiological sciences.Bonde and Reep have a professional relationship going back more than 20 years.

“Perhaps more than any other single individual, Bob Bonde represents the face of themanatee community in Florida,” Reep said. “Whether organizing medical assessments ofwild manatees, being interviewed for television documentaries or doing his owntrailblazing research on manatee genetics, Bob is thoughtful, kind and encouraging toyoung investigators.”

Reep added that Bonde’s genuine love of manatees and his dedication to promotinghealthy interactions between humans and manatees are accompanied by an unwaveringpositive attitude that is “sweetly contagious.”

In turn, Bonde called Reep an enthusiastic scientist and said he had been fortunate tobe able to work with Reep on the manatee book.

“It was a culmination of a lot of experience and information on the manatee,” he said,adding that book profits are donated to a fund to reward and acknowledge students in theCVM graduate program.

The future should offer an opportunity to make further use of the material collectedmore recently, Bonde said.

“I suspect not much will change at my end,” he said. “I love my job and the agency Iwork for and embrace being part of the planning for the future. In that future, I hope that

genetics will shedsome light on theissues and provide uswith better opportuni-ties for the nextgeneration of scien-tists.”

He added that hevery much wanted toremain a part of thatprocess and tocontinue his affiliationwith the CVM.

“I have neverworked with a morepleasant person,” Reepsaid. “It has been arevelation to watchBob organize themanatee healthassessment captures.He takes a group of 30 chilly people that have never worked together before, speaks gentlyto them about what to expect, leads by example and good humor,” Reep said. “Amazingly,these events go off with no complaints I have ever heard.”

Bonde’s wife, Cathy Beck, has worked side by side with her husband for 32 years on themanatee project for USGS. Beck, a wildlife biologist, manages the Manatee IndividualPhoto Identification System, a computerized archive of sighting and life history data onindividual manatees from throughout the southeastern United States.

“We are a team, and continue to work hand in hand on many issues,” Bonde said. “Thatwill not change, as our passions are much the same. Recently we have spent more timetogether working on international sirenian projects in Belize and Australia.” Dr. Ruth Francis-Floyd, who directs UF’s Aquatic Animal Health program, said thathaving Bonde in the aquatic animal health graduate program has been “a total privilege.”

“His participation gave our fledgling program instant credibilitly,” she said. “He has ledby example and we are so proud to have his good name associated with the University ofFlorida.”

New Ph.D. recipient brought experience, credibility to UF’s Aquatic Animal Health Program

Bob Bonde, right, and his wife, Cathy Beck, left. are shown in Belize with a healthy wild female manatee that had been captured for a health assessment and was subsequently released. (Photo courtesy of Bob Bonde)

Bob Bonde monitors the heart rate of a manatee calf that had been recentlyrescued in Belize. (Photo courtesy of Bob Bonde)

Members of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine Emergency Treat-ment Service and Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program at UF teamed up with forensic veterinar-ian Melinda Merck of the ASPCA and partners from other regional and national humaneagencies, to help triage and treat approximately 600 cats following the closure of the 10th LifeSanctuary in Hendry County, Fla. A preliminary assessment during an unannounced visit to the sanctuary by Merck, Dr. JulieLevy, the local sheriff, animal control officers, and cruelty experts from HSUS and the ASPCA,was performed

Upon hearing the group’s conclusion that the sanctuary was operating far below thestandard of humane care and that a criminal investigation was underway, the sanctuary owneragreed to surrender all 600 cats to LaBelle Animal Control, a small rural facility with only ninecat cages. The owner agreed to keep the sanctuary open for several weeks to allow an orderlydisposition of the cats.

UFVETS ran a field hospital at the sanctuary Nov. 23-25, and with a team of approximately50 interagency volunteers, triaged all 600 cats, providing physical examinations, FeLV/FIV/HW tests, parasite treatment, and medical treatment as needed. Volunteers from Tampa’s BayArea Disaster Animal Response Team ran the sheltering and adoption side of the intervention.

“This was a heartwarming experience in which local, regional, and national organizationscame together with little advance notice to participate in one of the five largest cat rescues everconducted,” said Rachel Michaud, coordinator of the shelter medicine program. “Animalshelters sent their staff members and volunteers trained in disaster response traveled to thisisolated part of the state to pitch in.”

Ten cats were brought back to UF for surgery and additional care. Most cats were alreadyspayed, neutered, and microchipped. Several important infectious diseases have been identi-fied in the population, and although many of the cats are ill, the team hopes to save as many aspossible. As of 12/10/09, more than 250 cats had been transferred to other welfare agencies. Approximately 100 critically ill cats were euthanized at the scene, and 30 cats are receivingveterinary care. All of the friendly cats have been removed from the sanctuary, but more than200 feral cats await news of new opportunities for them.

“The feral cats present our greatest challenge,” Levy said. “They are healthy but too wild toplace in new homes. We are looking for farms that need mousers or existing managed coloniesthat can accommodate a few more cats.” Dr. Brian DiGangi, a UF shelter medicine resident who served as medical director, said thatalthough the overall situation was unfortunate, the experience provided him with a rareopportunity to see all the resources available to the veterinary community in the state ofFlorida as well as how quickly those resources could be put into use. “I have no doubt that we made a huge impact on the lives of hundreds of animals in just afew days,” he said. “As an added bonus, this whole process helped raise awareness throughoutthe veterinary school community of the problem of animal hoarding.” In addition to Levy, DiGangi and Michaud, other participants from UF included John Havenfrom UFVETS, who served as in the incident commander of the scene; David John, JoshFleming and Dr. Roger Clemmons, all from UF VETS; Shelter medicine resident Dr. CateMcManus and Dr. Laura Andersen from the shelter medicine program.

Dr. Julie Levy of the UF CVM’s shelter medicine team and Jane Berry from Tampa Bay SPCA/DART at workduring the South Florida cat rescue operation Nov. 23-26.

One semi-feral cat found at the sanctu-ary lost both eyes to infection. The team learned that the cat had livedfor more than a year caged alone in a barrenwood and wire enclosure smaller than arefrigerator. “This cat became an iconic symbol ofthe project for me,” said Dr. Julie Levy,Maddie’s Professor of Shelter Medicine atUF and leader of UF’s shelter team. “In amisguided attempt to save the life of thiscat, she was placed in a situation thatdeprived her of any kind of enrichment or companionship. “Sheltering agencies have to take responsibility for assuring quality oflife in addition to quantity of life,” Levy added. Following the closure of the sanctuary, the blind cat -- now named Sami -- was adopted by a cat lover from Pompano Beach who took the cat into herhome and turned her into a lap cat.

“When I heard about this totally blind and hostile cat, I raced to adopther,” said Sami’s new owner, Lynn Francis. “I am so delighted with theprogress this cat has made in just 11 days. It’s amazing what feeling safeand feeling love can do. Thank God for Dr. Levy.”

Dr. Laura Anderson of UF’s shelter medicine team (in foreground); Dr. Gloria Lividas of Palm Beach Animal Control,Dr. Julie Levy, Dr. Cate McManus and Dr. Brian DiGangi of UF’s shelter medicine team, Dr. Roger Clemmons, fromUF’s VETS team and Allison Cardona from ASPCA prepare for another busy day during the South Florida catrescue Nov. 23-26.

UF plays key role in ambitious cat rescueUF plays key role in ambitious cat rescueUF plays key role in ambitious cat rescueUF plays key role in ambitious cat rescueUF plays key role in ambitious cat rescueeffort in South Floridaeffort in South Floridaeffort in South Floridaeffort in South Floridaeffort in South Florida

Shown left to right are Debbie Fuller of Polk County Animal Control/Sheriff’s Office; Dr. Robin Valentine, Palm BeachCounty veterinarian and volunteer; Dr. Cate McManus, UF CVM shelter medicine team and Dr. May-Li Culpersrepresenting Tampa Bay’s SPCA/DART.

UF wishes to thank the ASPCA, which provided an $8,000 grant to coverthe costs of the UF VETS activities in the rescue, including equipmentpurchase, travel, vaccines and medications for the cats. In addition,IDEXX Laboratories donated more than $10,000 worth of diagnosticservices to evaluate sick cats and to screen each cat for infectiousdiseases.

Semi-feral, blind cat finds loving home,thanks to rescue efforts

Sami is showing improvement every day,her new owner says.

(Photo courtesy of UFVETS)

(Photo courtesy of UFVETS)

(Photo courtesy of UFVETS)

Dr. Cate McManus of UF’s shelter medicine team and Debbie Fuller of Polk County Animal Control/Sheriff’sOffice. (Photo courtesy of UFVETS)

4

Senior student Alexa McDermott is shown with FVMA executive director Phil Hinkle at the recent careerfair held at the college and sponsored by FVMA. (Photo by Sarah Carey)

Career fair showcases senior students,employment opportunities

Senior UF veterinary student Genevieve Wisdom, right, speaks with Dr. Valerie Biehl, founder ofEast Coast Equine. Biehl is a 1990 graduate of the UF veterinary college and was one of theparticipants in the CVM’s Career Fair. (Photo by Sarah Carey)

Twelve veterinary practices and more than 30 students participated in thecollege’s third employment fair, held in November in Room VS-20 of the smallanimal hospital. The Florida Veterinary Medical Association generously stepped in to assistwith costs related to the fair and also by promoting the event to all FVMAmembers. “The FVMA sent out an announcement, set up a registration Web site, postedstudent resumes for employers to view, provided lunch as well as snacks andbeverages throughout the day,” said Erin Sanetz, an administrative assistant withstudent services. “The same day, we scheduled the photographer to come in and take seniorcomposite photos,” Sanetz said. “I think it was a great idea to have their compos-ite photo session scheduled on the same day. This encouraged students to attenda professional employment fair as they were already dressed up for photos.” She added that students were urged to attend the employment fair, even if itwas their intention to complete an internship following graduation. “In today’s economy, it is practical to keep options open, and it was also anexcellent chance to brush up on interview skills, and to network with futureemployers,” Sanetz said. adding that both employers and students gave excellentfeedback after the event. “Employers love the exclusivity of meeting with UF students and students lovethe opportunity to meet potential employers without the added expense oftraveling,” Sanetz said.

N ancy Denslow Ph.D., a professor of toxicology at the University of Florida’s College of VeterinaryMedicine, has received a UF ResearchFoundation professorship. Sponsored by theuniversity’s Division of Sponsored Research,the professorships are awarded to tenuredfaculty campuswide for distinguishedresearch and scholarship. The honor includesa $5,000 salary increase each year for threeyears and a one-time $3,000 award forresearch support.

Denslow’s research interests include theidentification of molecular biomarkers forevaluating adverse effects in fish exposed toenvironmental contaminants. Denslow hasbeen a pioneer in developing and applyingthese techniques to the area of environmentaltoxicology.

Specifically, she is interested in definingthe molecular mechanisms of endocrine-disrupting compounds that adversely affectreproduction. Her research covers species thatinclude largemouth bass, fathead minnow, sheepshead minnow, zebrafish and marine organ-isms such as queen conch and coral. From field studies conducted in central Florida lakes, Denslow and her team developed alargemouth bass model to chart normal reproductive parameters for both males and females andto identify how organochlorine pesticides and other endocrine-disrupting compounds alterreproduction. Using next-generation sequencing technologies, she has obtained more than16,000 gene sequences for these species that were used to create microarrays and a database forproteomics experiments. The microarrays have been useful to find molecular pathways oftoxicity for contaminant exposure. Using zebrafish microarray analysis as a tool, she has alsoworked to better understand the effect of nanomaterials on fish health, specifically the molecu-lar level changes that occur upon exposure.

Denslow’s work has been supported by major extramural grants from the National Institutesof Health, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Science Foundation. Inaddition, she contributed to the creation of two UF spin-off companies, EcoArray and BanyanBiomarkers Inc. She has developed commercial products including several monoclonalantibodies that are specific to the presence of egg yolk protein in the blood of fish afterexposure to estrogen or estrogen-like products. These antibodies were licensed and are nowcommercial products.

In 2007, Denslow received the veterinary college’s Pfizer Award for Research Excellencefor her discoveries.

A member of UF’s veterinary college faculty since 2004, Denslow previously served for 15years as director of UF’s Protein Chemistry and Molecular Biomarkers Core Facility in ICBR.She is currently an associate editor for Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. She serves asa junior councilor in the Molecular Biology Specialty Section for the Society of Toxicologyand previously served on the executive board of the Association for Biomolecular ResearchFacilities. She is also a member of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and the AmericanSociety of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Dr. Nancy Denslow

“Topping Out” celebration marks milestone inSmall Animal Hospital construction

D ozens of construction workers and projectsupporters were on hand forthe Topping Out Celebra-tion for the University ofFlorida’s new small animalhospital – officially knownas the CVM Education andClinical Research Center –held Thursday, Dec. 3, inwhat will be the atrium area.

A barbecue luncheonwas provided, courtesy ofPPI/Charles Perry Construc-tion.

“The Topping Outcelebration represents amilestone in the construc-tion of this very importantproject,” said Kurt Taubel,senior project manager forPPI/Charles Perry Construc-tion. “The milestone of completing the structure leads to the emphasis being on the interiorbuild-out of the project.”

Taubel added that the celebration also allows for the owner/user group to “capture a feelingfor their project as it comes to fruition, and to give acknowledgment to the subcontractors whohave worked hard to get the project to this milestone.”

CVM toxicologist receives prestigiousUF Foundation research professorship

Dr. Colin Burrows, left, chair of the department of small animal clinicalsciences and chief of staff of the small animal hospital, and KarenLegato, senior director of development and alumni affairs for the college,were on hand for the celebration. (Photo by Sarah Carey)