Rusvm Research Centers

Ross Vet's Research Centers advance the productivity and standing of research and training, supporting an informed educational program for our students. Our Research Centers are the primary avenues through which Ross Vet interacts nationally, regionally and globally.

The portfolio of our Centers project Ross Vet's strategic intent of research excellence and contribute to the research culture of Ross Vet, including training and mentoring doctor of veterinary medicine students and postgraduate students. Each Center comprises a group of leading researchers working collaboratively in a clearly defined field of inquiry.

CENTER DESCRIPTIONS

ONE HEALTH CENTER FOR ZOONOSES AND TROPICAL VETERINARY MEDICINE

CENTER DIRECTOR:

Souvik Ghosh, BVSC & AH (Gold Medalist), MVSC, PhD
Associate Professor, Infectious Diseases
[email protected]

One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine focuses on research aimed at understanding and combating zoonotic, vector-borne and other infectious diseases affecting human and animal health as well as livestock production in St Kitts and Nevis and around the Caribbean and Central America. Faculty experts work in laboratory and on field investigations in collaboration with the local Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Environment, the Caribbean Animal Health Network (CaribVET) and Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) considering recognized priorities and critical research gaps. Dr. Souvik Ghosh directs the Center, which since it’s establishment in 2013, has published 155 papers and involved 385 DVM students in meaningful research experiences resulting in 32 presentations by students and 14 publications with students as co-authors.

FOCUS AREAS:

Zoonotic, Vector-Borne and Other Tropical Infectious Disease
Antimicrobial and Anthelmintic Resistance
Health Management of Priority Livestock and FishFood and Feed Safety

CENTER FOR INTEGRATIVE MAMMALIAN RESEARCH

Researchers at this center study a diversity of basic research topics including anesthesia and pain management, immune regulation, gene function, reproductive disorders, neurology and animal behavior, and in vitro and in vivo models of noninfectious human and animal diseases. While the focus is primarily on noninfectious diseases, some of the skills and knowledge within this area are applied to the infectious disease programs of the other centers. This center, led by Dr. Felix Toka and home to experts in the fields of pathology, immunology, anesthesiology and theriogenology, has published 164 papers since its establishment and involved 316 students in meaningful research experiences with 59 student presentations at international scientific conferences and 11 publications with students as co-authors.

CENTER DIRECTOR:

Felix Toka, DVM, PhD, DSC, DACVM
Associate Professor of Veterinary Virology
[email protected]

PROGRAMS:

Anesthetics and Pain Management
Animal Models
Immune Regulation
Reproduction

CENTER FOR CONSERVATION MEDICINE AND ECOSYSTEM HEALTH

Center for Conservation Medicine and Ecosystem Health focuses on applied research with two overarching themes: 1) Health of species in marine ecosystems in the Caribbean, and 2) Population ecology, disease epidemiology and management of non-native island species in the Caribbean. In marine ecosystems, the Center has a current focus on sea turtles, nesting shorebirds/seabirds, marine mammals, corals, and fish populations. In terrestrial ecosystems, the focus is on feral donkeys, free-roaming dogs, African green monkeys and small Indian mongooses. To achieve its objectives, the Center works closely with local and regional partners, including the St Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network (SKSTMN), the St Kitts and Nevis Departments of the Environment and Marine Resources, the Association of Marine Laboratories of the Caribbean, the Caribaea Initiative, and the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network. Dr. Darryn Knobel serves as Director of the Center, which has published 74 papers and involved 678 students in meaningful research experiences resulting in 39 presentations by students and 7 publications with students as co-authors.

CENTER DIRECTOR:

Darryn Knobel, BVSC, MSc, PhD, MRCVS, Dipl. ACVPM (Epi.)
Professor of Epidemiology and Population Health
[email protected]

PROGRAMS:

Health of Aquatic Species and Ecosystems
Marine Turtle Medicine and Management
Management of Threatened and Introduced Species

CENTER FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN VETERINARY AND MEDICAL EDUCATION

Enhancement of scholarly teaching is the overall aim of this Center, which focuses on specific research programs in innovative interactive teaching technologies and strategies, including communication, simulation and mobile gaming, faculty development and student and learning outcomes. The researchers at this center develop and evaluate innovative pedagogical tools and techniques, including new approaches to curricula, which more effectively facilitate the application of acquired basic science knowledge to clinical professional training. The rolling semester system of RUSVM lends itself well to studies to enhance education, as pedagogical tools can be introduced, evaluated and modified rapidly as semesters are repeated 3 times per year. Led by Dr. Elpida Artemiou, the Center has published 67 papers and involved 715 students in meaningful research experiences resulting in 7 presentations by students at scientific conferences.