Endocrinology/Metabolism
Jennifer Cassano DVM, PhD
VM: Medicine & Epidemiology
(See also: Translational Research/Regenerative Medicine, Behavior/Animal Welfare)
Dr. Cassano is an equine field service clinician in the Department of Medicine & Epidemiology with a 50% clinical appointment in the VMTH. As the director of the Regenerative Medicine Laboratory part of the Veterinary Institute for Regenerative Cures, Dr. Cassano oversees the preparation of all the stem cells used in various clinical trials underway at UC Davis. Her research seeks to better understand how modulation of the immune response can be harnessed in therapeutic treatments, combining the areas of immunology and regenerative medicine. Potential projects include evaluating mesenchymal stem cells antibacterial and antifungal properties in feline, canine, and equine species as well as evaluating mitochondria as a regenerative medicine treatment in osteoarthritis and metabolic disorders.
Dr. Cassano hopes to mentor highly motivated students interested in getting involved in clinically oriented research. Students will be involved with the following projects: Access to veterinary care survey of horse owners: Assist in survey design, distribution, statistical analysis and manuscript preparation. Comparing the benefit of intra-articular autologous protein solution versus corticosteroid for treatment of distal interphalangeal joint osteoarthritis: Assist in data collection, analysis, and manuscript preparation. Tracking metabolic parameters in breeding and early pregnancy in mares: Data collection, analysis, and manuscript preparation.
For more information and to discuss potential projects please contact Dr. Cassano at jmcassano@ucdavis.edu.
Bethany Cummings, DVM, PhD
(See also: Biochemistry/Cellular Biology, GI Physiology/Gastroenterology)
I am a Professor in the Department of Surgery at the School of Medicine and in the Department of Molecular Biosciences at the School of Veterinary Medicine. My lab is interested in type 2 diabetes mellitus pathogenesis and treatment. We conduct studies in cells, rodent models and human samples to understand the molecular basis of metabolic disease, with a focus on bile acid metabolism by the gut microbiome and pancreatic islet biology.
Please contact Dr. Cummings at bpcummings@health.ucdavis.edu
Cecilia Giulivi, PhD
VM: Molecular Biosciences
(see also: Biochemistry & Cellular Biology, Translational Research)
My main research interest is to understand the mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction that contribute to the morbidity or start of neurodegeneration or neurodevelopmental deficits. As an extension of this work, and as aging is one of the main contributors to neurodegeneration, and life expectancy of pets is increasing worldwide, we realized that data on vitamins and antioxidant status of cats as they age are limited. This gap of knowledge undermines the resources needed by pet owners and clinicians to make informed decisions on (for instance) dietary supplements.
Projects for summer research students include: Healthy aging in cats; disparity between chronological and biological age in cats. Combined omics, bioinformatics, identification of key biologiacl pathways influencing the disparity between chronological and biological age.
Dr. Giulivi can be reached via email.
Jennifer Larsen, PhD
Asst. Professor, VM: Molecular Biosciences
The Amino Acid Lab (nutrition lab) has an amino acid analyzer (HPLC) and an LC-MS. We do analysis of a variety of nutrients in bilogical fluids and in food. I have several projets in mind to survey foods and to evaluate stored samples to find a marker for canine dilated cardiomyopathy.
Dr. Larsen can be reached via email at jabones@ucdavis.edu.
Jon Ramsey, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
(See also: Gastroenterology/GI Physiology)
My research focuses on energy metabolism as it relates to obesity and aging. Calorie restriction, without malnutrition, is the only intervention that has consistently been shown to increase maximum life span in mammalian species. My research is investigating possible mechanisms for the retardation of aging with calorie restriction. In the area of obesity, my research focuses on the role alterations in energy expenditure play in either assisting or opposing weight loss. Also, I am interested in preventing obesity in companion animals by better determining the energy requirements of cats and dogs.
Dr. Ramsey can be reached via email at jjramsey@ucdavis.edu.