News

Contributed by the Louis Lab

On Thursday, June 6, our team was awarded World Best Case by the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA) in their Global Conference in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil. Our case study, “Automated Milking Systems: A Challenge and Opportunity for U.S. Midwest Dairy Farmers”, examines the Schmidt family’s decision at Pioneer Farm in the U.S. Midwest: whether or not to adopt Automated Milking Systems (AMS) – milking robots that can autonomously milk dairy cows. 

Five faculty members have been selected for a 2025 Chancellor’s Fellowship recognizing their work to, in the words of the organizers, “foster a learning environment where all students can develop the skills to be successful.”

Among them was Dr. Luis M. Peña-Lévano of the School of Veterinary Medicine. The assistant professor of Cooperative Extension was recognized for his outstanding expertise in the field of agricultural economics.

A third round of funding for Reaching Across the Causeway Awards was recently announced by the Associate Dean of Research of the School of Veterinary Medicine, Vice Dean for Research of the School of Medicine, the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) and UC Davis Clinical and Translational Science Center (CTSC).

The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine is deeply saddened by the passing of John C. Harris, a distinguished UC Davis alumnus, agricultural innovator, and devoted supporter of animal health and education. Harris, who passed away at the age of 81, earned his degree in agricultural production from UC Davis and went on to become a transformative figure in California’s agricultural and equine industries. As chairman and CEO of Harris Farms, Inc., his leadership helped build one of the most respected names in farming, ranching, and Thoroughbred breeding on the West Coast.

The UC Davis William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) is pleased to announce that orthopedic surgeon Dr. Po-Yen Chou has achieved Fellow status in Joint Replacement Surgery (JRS) with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS).

Feline infectious peritonitis, or FIP, is a serious and historically fatal disease in cats caused by a coronavirus. It behaves in many ways like severe coronavirus infections in humans, causing widespread inflammation, T cell exhaustion and chronic immune dysfunction. Scientists at the University of California, Davis, have found that mesenchymal stromal cells, or MSC therapy, in combination with antiviral drugs, helped cats’ immune systems recover and reduced systemic inflammation.

In a remote region of California, a wildlife rehabilitation center uploads routine clinical notes about an injured eagle showing signs of neurological symptoms. Within hours, an AI system flags this case alongside similar reports from across the State, detecting an unusual pattern that might signal an emerging disease outbreak—weeks before traditional surveillance methods would notice.

Dr. Lynette Hart has studied everything from rodent songs to elephant tool use to giraffe courtship. Now, after more than four decades at UC Davis, the pioneering professor has officially retired—though it’s clear her influence will continue to ripple through the field of human-animal interactions.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ming Lu has joined the faculty at the UC Davis William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) as an assistant professor. Dr. Lu’s clinical duties will be with the VMTH’s Orthopedic Surgery Service as well as the hospital’s Advanced Veterinary Surgery Center.

Distinguished Professor Lisa Tell recently served as chair on a panel of experts tasked with identifying holistic approaches to address opportunities and challenges in animal health and veterinary medicine.

Graduate health professions students from socially disadvantaged groups are more likely to have had encountered adversity in their childhood. And according to a new study, that reality also could lead to personal struggles during their education and careers.

The longitudinal research examined the wellbeing of UC Davis students in three of its professional schools: medical, veterinary and nursing.

Dr. Sanam (Sunny) Thukral was close to graduating from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine when she passed away in November of last year after a 30-month battle with glioblastoma. She was awarded a posthumous DVM during commencement ceremonies this May with her family accepting it on her behalf.

“Case of the Month” – June 2025

Woodie, a 1-year-old pit bull mix, is now pain free and seeing better thanks to community-based veterinary programs that came together to care for him. Born with a dermoid mass in the corner of his left eye, Woodie recently underwent surgery at the UC Davis William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) to have the benign growth removed.

Long-time equestrian Deborah Steele was trailering her 18-year-old Paint mare Daisy Mae to a chiropractor appointment. When she opened the trailer upon arrival, Steele saw Daisy Mae—whom she has owned since birth after breeding her dam—hung up on the metal bar divider of the trailer stalls.