CVM Students Win Top Prizes at Society for Theriogenology Conference

Six female students stand in a row, one holding a check
L to R: Colleen Kutzler, University of Minnesota (third place); Lindsay Hilburger, Cornell University (fifth place); Nichole Whitfill, Auburn University (fourth place); Breanthony Baker, Texas A&M University (first place); Gabrielle Montone, Auburn University (sixth place); and Katelyn Kimble, Texas A&M University (second place).

Two students from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM) have won first and second place in the Veterinary Student Case Presentation Competition at the Society for Theriogenology’s annual conference in Savannah, Georgia.

The competition required students to select and research a clinical case and then submit an abstract and develop a 10-minute oral presentation for the conference.

Breanthony Baker, a second-year veterinary student, received first place and a cash prize of $650 for her case presentation, “Spermatic cord enlargement due to lymphangioma.”

Baker found this case interesting because it is the only known report of lymphangioma, a growth caused by malformation in lymphatic development, in a stallion spermatic cord.

“I have a passion for equine theriogenology and being able to share that passion with the like-minded and supportive community of the Society for Theriogenology members at the national conference was awe-inspiring,” Baker said. “The entire experience has only enhanced my love for this organization and its members and has encouraged my goal to pursue a career in equine theriogenology.

“Massive credit should be given to Dr. Charles Love; Jenna Ward, the 2018-2019 TAMU Society for Theriogenology (SFT) chapter president; Kate Kimble; and the entire TAMU theriogenology department for allowing me to represent this case, providing constructive feedback while I was preparing the abstract and PowerPoint presentation for this contest, and listening to me practice the presentation countlessly over the summer,” she said.

Kimble, also a second-year veterinary student, received second place and a cash prize of $525 for her case presentation, “Subfertility in a stallion caused by a genetic mutation affecting the acrosome reaction.”

In her case, Kimble found that a seemingly ordinary stallion can have complete subfertility because of only two small mutations in its entire genome.

“Winning was the icing on the cake for me,” Kimble said. “It was such an amazing experience to go to Savannah and present a case for my future peers. I can’t wait to do it again next year.”

Love, a CVM professor of equine theriogenology, supported both students in selecting their case and beginning intense research on the animal and case details.

Society for Theriogenology logo

The Society for Theriogenology shares the latest information in the field of veterinary reproductive medicine and holds an annual conference to demonstrate new medical techniques, present recent research in the field, and provide networking opportunities.

At the CVM, the SFT is a student organization that offers opportunities for students to learn about veterinary reproductive medicine outside of the classroom. At the conference, the CVM student group also received second place in the T-shirt design contest and the student quiz bowl.

“We are committed to fostering community and providing hands-on learning experiences for our members,” said Baker, who serves as SFT treasurer. “During the school year, SFT hosts monthly mare palpations, a stallion wet lab, rounds with the theriogenology residents, and two to three semester meetings to provide alternative networking and learning experiences.”


Print
Show Buttons
Hide Buttons