* Steven L. Stockham, professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology at K-State, and co-author Michael A. Scott, an assistant professor at Michigan State University, have written a second edition of "Fundamentals of Veterinary Clinical Pathology," available now from Blackwell Publishing. The book offers information about common clinical laboratory tests that veterinarians use to evaluate domestic mammals like dogs, cats, horses and cattle. Students can learn what the tests measure, conditions that affect results and what those results indicate about the animal's health or illness. The second edition offers students information on additional disorders and includes new images and illustrations. April 2008
* Millions of Chinese pigs are dying each year of a disease that isn't fully understood. But thanks to the expertise of K-State virologist Dick Hesse who recently visited China with a team of specialists, Chinese officials are a step closer to understanding the root of the problem. As part of the scientific delegation, Hesse, director of diagnostic virology at K-State, worked with four research centers and traveled to several farms to help officials better diagnose the disease . The team found that ailing pigs were most often suffering from more than one virus and noted several steps to enhance biosecurity in the U.S. February 2008
* K-State has brought together nearly 10 percent of the nation's veterinary board-certified clinical pharmacologists for an advanced laboratory where researchers can get quick results. PharmCATS, the latest addition to K-State's laboratory capabilities, serves both university and industry clients in need of bioanalytical services. A nonprofit support organization for K-State, PharmCATS is in the university's research park. Its mission is to provide rapid, accurate analytical services to support toxicological and pharmaceutical research conducted in both academic and private industry settings. The lab has already started working with clients in the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor, which stretches from Manhattan to Columbia, Mo. The corridor is significant because it is home to 120 animal health organizations and 13,000 specialists. January 2008
* Natalie Turner Barrett, a fourth-year student in veterinary medicine, Escondido, Calif., is a 2008 recipient of the $10,000 National Simmons Educational Fund Business Aptitude Award. The fund is an educational foundation created by Simmons and Associates to educate practitioners and students about the business of veterinary medicine. The fund awards $1,500 to one veterinary student at each participating school in the nation through its Business Aptitude Award Program. From these winners, one student is chosen to receive a $10,000 award based on their solution to the competition's business case study. Barrett was selected from among a broad pool of national candidates based on her resume and her solutions to the case study. January 2008