UC Davis Well Represented at Annual Surgery Conference

A large contingent of representatives from the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine recently presented research projects at the 2026 American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) Surgery Summit, ACVS’ annual conference, held this year in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Fourth-year DVM students Dylan Caro and Rohit Chopra presented their bone density research projects, while third-year DVM student Tyler Misraje presented her project about bone behavior with joint replacement implants.

In addition, the students fielded questions from the surgeon audience. 

“Fielding questions from boarded and experienced surgeons is not an easy task for veterinary students,” said Dr. Ming Lu, orthopedic surgery assistant professor. “They all performed exceptionally and made UC Davis proud.” 

The students made extraordinary efforts to fit their travel into their busy classroom, laboratory, and clinic schedules. 

Presenters and their projects included:

• Rohit Chopra – fourth-year DVM student: “Aluminum-Equivalent Radiographic Density and Quantitative CT Bone Mineral Density in the Canine Proximal Femur”
• Dylan Caro – fourth-year DVM student: “Phantomless Bone Mineral Density Calibration”
• Tyler Misraje – third-year DVM student: “Lateral Bolt and Stem Orientation Affects Canine THR Biomechanics”
• Dr. Norihiro Muroi – postdoctoral fellow: “Finite Element Analysis Model for Stress Analysis of Lateral Bolt BFX Stem”
• Dr. Amber Best – equine surgery resident: “Comparing use of Autologous Protein Solution and Steroids in Coffin Joints”
• Dr. Miriam Garcia-Collao – equine surgery resident: “Microvascular Flow and Power Doppler in Equine SDFT Induced Tendinitis” and “CT-Guided Internal Fixation of Tarsal Slab Fractures in 41 Horses”
• Dr. Kornelia Tiffinger – small animal surgery resident: “Evaluation of Extended-Release Buprenorphine Using Gait Analysis”
• Dr. William Culp – soft tissue surgery professor: “Communication Around Failure”
• Dr. Julie Dechant – equine emergency surgery/critical care professor: “Equine Intestinal Anastomosis Techniques: Small and Large Intestine – HYBRID”
• Dr. Barbro Filliquist – orthopedic surgery associate professor: “Total Hip Replacement in Growing Animals: When is the Right Time?”
• Dr. Carter Judy – equine surgery professor: “Surgical Treatment(s) for Proximal Suspensory Desmitis/Desmopathy: Imaging-Guided Case Selection” and “Foraminotomy Surgery in the Horse,” as well as a Panel Discussion
• Dr. Ming Lu – orthopedic surgery assistant professor: “Pelvic Floor Remains Horizontal in Healthy Standing Dogs”
• Dr. Denis Marcellin-Little – orthopedic surgery professor: “Common Outcome Measures in Orthopedic Surgery: What to Use and Why,” “How 3D Printing and Computer Visualization Improves Surgical Outcomes” and “Antibiotic Use in Companion Animal Orthopedic Surgery: What to Do and What to Avoid?,” as well as a Panel Discussion
• Dr. Heidi Reesink – equine surgery professor: “Joints, Implants, and Infections: Orthopedic Infections and Responsible Antimicrobial Use in Livestock, Equine, and Small Animal Practice” and a Panel Discussion
• Dr. Joao Soares – anesthesia associate professor: “Hands-on Workshop for Mechanical Ventilation During Anesthesia – HYBRID”

Portions of travel to the conference were covered by faculty travel grants and generous donations from school benefactors to cover student travel. 

ACVS sets the standards for advanced professionalism in veterinary surgery. The American Board of Veterinary Specialties recognizes ACVS as the veterinary specialty organization for veterinary surgery. The ACVS Surgery Summit is the premier annual conference dedicated to advancing veterinary surgical science, education, and patient care. 

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