Texas A&M Researcher Devotes Career To Curing Genetic Disorder In Children

A researcher in a white coat.
Dr. Scott Dindot

Every biomedical scientist dreams of playing a role in a medical miracle, but few have the privilege of seeing their work advance to that level within their lifetime.

One exception is Dr. Scott Dindot, a professor in the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences’ (VMBS) Department of Veterinary Pathobiology and the executive director of molecular genetics at Ultragenyx, a biopharmaceutical company.

For more than 20 years, Dindot has studied Angelman syndrome (AS), a rare genetic disorder that affects approximately 1 in 15,000 live births per year and is usually diagnosed when a child is 2 to 3 years old.

Individuals with AS typically have severe developmental delays, absent speech, movement and balance issues, and frequent seizures. Currently, there are no approved drug therapies for AS, and the standard of care is focused on behavioral therapy and controlling specific symptoms, especially seizures.

But soon, that may change.

In 2017, Dindot invented a compound called GTX-102 that targets the genetic cause of AS — loss of the maternal copy of the UBE3A gene. Individuals with AS have genetic mutations that lead to the loss of maternal UBE3A — to replace it, GTX-102 “turns on” the paternal copy of the same gene, which is usually silenced.

Last year, the therapy achieved two big milestones on its path to to U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approval — over the summer, GTX-102 received FDA Breakthrough Designation and a generic drug name, apazunersen, and at the end of last year, Ultragenyx, the biopharmaceutical company developing GTX-102, announced the global expansion of the therapy’s phase 3 human clinical trial.

If the trial is successful, and if the drug is subsequently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, it will be the first drug therapy for AS and the first FDA-approved drug to come from Texas A&M.

A Chance Partnership

Dindot never planned on studying AS — like many scientists, his choice of focus developed over time through graduate school and postdoctoral training.

One defining experience was working as a postdoc in the lab of Dr. Arthur Beaudet, a professor of molecular and human genetics at Baylor College of Medicine, who was instrumental in discovering AS’ genetic cause.

“When I started my faculty profession at Texas A&M, I continued to do work on AS,” Dindot said. “I was very interested in how the UBE3A gene is regulated in the brain.”

Meanwhile, an organization run by parents of children with AS called the Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST) was looking for research partners.

“They didn’t want the usual academic cycle of doing research, publishing papers, and training students; they wanted a therapy for AS,” Dindot said. “At the time, it wasn’t very common for parents and foundations to get involved with developing therapies, but we’re actually starting to see that change because of FAST and similar organizations.”

In 2012, Dindot was asked to join a consortium funded by FAST that would try to develop a drug therapy for AS. For six years, he and four other scientists from three other institutions tried every means at their disposal to find some way to treat it directly.

“Every Friday for six years we met on Zoom with parents from FAST,” Dindot said. “They held us accountable; we gave them updates on what we had found and what we were doing, and we explored a lot of things. We looked at drugs that were already approved by the FDA, gene therapies, our own research, everything.”

Dindot’s project — turning on the paternal copy of UBE3A — was one that worked.

“Because of FAST, I knew the kids and their parents and what it was like for them. It was incredibly motivating,” he said. “Interacting with the children, their families, and caregivers was incredibly meaningful. They reminded us why our research matters and inspired us to explore every possible path to make a difference.”

The Science Of Gene Regulation

Two researchers in white coats inspect a microscope.
Dindot and research scientist Dr. Sarah Christian

What makes GTX-102 such a unique discovery is its ability to target the root cause of AS rather than treat its symptoms. Because AS is caused by a genetic mutation, impacting the root cause — the loss of UBE3A — is no small feat.

All individuals carry two copies of UBE3A, but in the brains of healthy individuals, only the maternal copy is expressed — or “turned on” — while the paternal copy is “off.” When the mutation causing AS occurs, it silences the maternal copy, leaving no version of the gene expressed, Dindot said. 

A single gene turning off may not sound like a major problem, but genes determine everything from easy-to-spot physical traits, like a person’s hair color, to more complex bodily systems, like the immune system.

The human genome contains around 20,000 genes and a single gene’s expression may influence dozens of others in a complicated pattern of gene relationships. This is why individuals with AS experience changes to so many aspects of life, all caused by the loss of a single gene.

To solve the problem, GTX-102 uses synthetic molecules of DNA and RNA to turn off the gene that silences the paternal copy of UBE3A, allowing it to replace the missing version.

“GTX-102 is unique not only because it targets the genetic cause of AS but also because it’s the first disease-modifying drug for AS to advance into clinical development,” Dindot said. “There are only a few examples of disease-modifying drugs being used to treat genetic disorders and even fewer examples that are being developed to treat neurodevelopmental disorders such as AS.”

Leading The Way Forward

While the primary outcome of Dindot’s research is the discovery of GTX-102 and its significance for the AS community, his work has also had a positive impact on the next generation of genetic researchers.

Former VMBS graduate trainee Dr. Ryan Doan is now an assistant professor of pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. During his time in Dindot’s lab at Texas A&M, Doan learned cutting-edge techniques — and developed some of his own — that have been formative for his own research career, which focuses on the genetic mechanisms behind complex disorders like autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

“Many of the methodologies that I use today are similar to what we used when I was working on my Ph.D.” Doan said. “Although most of my work in Dr. Dindot’s laboratory focused on other areas, my contributing to an early study from his lab examining how imprinting affects UBE3A dosage in neurons sparked my lasting interest in brain disorders and inspired me to apply my skills to conditions such as autism.”

Doan’s career success includes a major discovery — that there is a genetic cause for ADHD — which has allowed Doan to give answers to families who have long wondered why their children have the condition. In the future, it may even lead to new treatments.

Clinical Trials Continue

While it has taken over a decade of hard work for Dindot’s research to arrive at its current stage, the last several years have seen many leaps forward. 

In late 2017, once enough data had been collected to show the potential of Dindot’s discovery, FAST formed a company called GeneTx Biotherapeutics LLC that would develop the treatment for a phase 1/2 clinical trial. In 2022, the company was purchased by Ultragenyx, which now leads the development of GTX-102.

The phase 3 clinical trial is currently ongoing, and participants are being dosed. Hopefully, the results will show that GTX-102 is ready to move forward to the next stage of development — going through a rigorous approval process prior to becoming available to families.

In the meantime, GTX-102 has already received its official FDA name — apazunersen — and a Breakthrough Therapy designation, a process designed to expedite the development and review of drugs that are intended to treat a serious condition after preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over available therapy, according to the FDA.

Both steps increase the likelihood of FDA approval.

“It’s been a team effort the entire journey,” Dindot said. “It wouldn’t have happened without the families, FAST, GeneTx, Ultragenyx, or the many amazing trainees who have worked in my lab over the years. They each have played a major role in the success of this project.”

For more information about the trial, visit the clinical trial’s website at tx.ag/ASClinTrial or contact Ultragenyx at trialrecruitment@ultragenyx.com.

GTX-102 is an investigational [antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) OR therapy] that is not currently approved by any health authority.

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Note: This story originally appeared in the Summer 2025 issue of VMBS Today.

For more information about the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, please visit our website at vetmed.tamu.edu or join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Contact Information: Jennifer Gauntt, Director of VMBS Communications, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, jgauntt@cvm.tamu.edu, 979-862-4216

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Texas A&M VMBS To Shift Panhandle-Based Programming

Beginning in the summer of 2026, the Texas A&M Veterinary Education, Research, & Outreach campus will work to expand clinical education, while maintaining its research focus, with the goal of developing a new center of excellence in livestock medicine and rural practice in Canyon, Texas.

Exterior of the Texas A&M Veterinary Education, Research & Outreach (VERO) building with a sunburst shining over the roofline, modern metal-and-glass architecture, and a VERO sign in the foreground.
Sunlight breaks over the Texas A&M Veterinary Education, Research & Outreach (VERO) building on the WT campus.

Building on the strengths of its Texas Panhandle-based research, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program clinical training, and relationships with West Texas A&M University (WT) and industry partners, the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) will transition the programming offered at its Veterinary Education, Research, and Outreach (VERO) campus in Canyon, Texas, at the end of the spring 2026 semester.

With the goal of establishing a new center of excellence in livestock medicine and rural practice at VERO, the VMBS will expand its DVM clinical rotations and maintain focus on its nationally recognized research while concluding its preclinical veterinary coursework offered through the 2+2 DVM program. VERO, which was created as a partnership between the VMBS and WT in 2009, is located on the WT campus in Canyon.

“Through the development of a new center of excellence, a world-class program for hands-on training in production medicine and rural practice can be established at VERO. This center would offer immersive, high-impact clinical experiences for fourth-year veterinary students and graduate veterinarians through our strong partnerships with West Texas A&M and stakeholders in rural veterinary practices and the cattle industry,” said Dr. Bonnie R. Rush, The Carl B. King Dean at the VMBS. “We are committed to further developing educational training programs that will strengthen the presence and impact of Texas A&M in the Texas Panhandle, and this shift will better serve those needs.”

Producing New Opportunities

As home to one-quarter of the nation’s finished beef supply and ranked as the third-largest milk shed in the United States, the Texas Panhandle provides the VMBS with ample opportunities for expanding experiential training that will allow clinical veterinary trainees to apply their knowledge and skills as they progress toward graduation.

Since 2020, pre-eminent VMBS faculty have been leading fourth-year clinical rotations at VERO in dairy cattle practice, cattle feedlot medicine and surgery, rural and mixed animal general practice, and working horse health maintenance. More than 227 Aggie DVM students have gained unique, agriculture and veterinary industry-relevant training through these elective, two-week rotations.

Now, new rotations in rural practice management will be developed to strengthen graduate success in practice ownership in the Texas Panhandle region. Once established, the new center of excellence will expand those offerings, serving as a national hub for advanced clinical training in livestock production and rural practice business management coursework for Texas A&M veterinary students and those from other veterinary colleges.

“These experiences will strengthen technical skills, competence, and confidence of our graduates in livestock medicine,” Rush said. “Livestock-interested veterinary students will become familiar with the Texas Panhandle at the critical time, when they are considering job opportunities.”

In addition, VERO research faculty will continue to support the livestock industries through collaborative studies that promote the productivity and the sustainability of animal agriculture. Over the past three years, the VERO research team has received $10.4 million in new funding, covering 46 awards, for projects that span bovine respiratory disease, antimicrobial use and resistance, food safety, cattle behavior, and animal welfare.

A Sustainable Future

The decision to end the 2+2 DVM program centers on its sustainability following recent changes made by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education, the accreditation body for veterinary colleges, related to the delivery of distance education.

“We recognize and celebrate the commitment of the faculty, staff, and stakeholders who worked diligently to establish and deliver the 2+2 program,” Rush said. “The VMBS continues its commitment to strong educational training programs that address the needs of Texas’ agriculture community and strengthen the presence and impact of the college in the Texas Panhandle.”

Current 2+2 DVM program students will join their peers in College Station for the fall 2026 semester, and following the conclusion of the 2+2 program, all 180 students accepted into Texas A&M’s DVM program will complete the four-year curriculum in College Station.

Existing VERO faculty with clinical training credentials in production medicine and rural practice will be retained to deliver elective courses, clinical rotations, and externships at VERO and surrounding communities. VERO faculty members who teach the pre-clinical curriculum will be offered faculty positions in College Station.

“Through the creation of a new center of excellence in livestock medicine and rural practice, the VERO research faculty and rotating DVM students will continue their work to support regional producers, expanding their nationally recognized research portfolio through discovery in livestock disease prevention, antimicrobial drug resistance, and herd health management,” Rush said. “This transition will leverage existing assets in the Texas Panhandle region to train students for their future in rural practice and livestock medicine in a way that better encourages them to stay and serve the region.”

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For more information about the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, please visit our website at vetmed.tamu.edu or join us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Contact Information: Jennifer Gauntt, Director of VMBS Communications, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, jgauntt@cvm.tamu.edu, 979-862-4216

Texas A&M Research Team Identifies Species Of Brucellosis-Causing Bacteria In Cameroon

Four researchers in PPE holding up their equipment in a research lab and doing gig 'em
Visiting Scholar Gaelle Kamdjo, Associate Professor Dr. Angela Arenas, Cameroon National Veterinary Laboratories Director General Dr. Abel Wade, and Postdoctoral Research Associate Dr. Sonia Vection

As part of their ongoing efforts to combat brucellosis, a serious and often neglected disease endemic to many low- and middle-income countries around the world, a team of researchers from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) has identified the specific species of the Brucella bacteria that causes illness in animals in Cameroon.

The VMBS research team, led by associate professor Dr. Angela Arenas, studied more than 4,600 livestock animals and found that the only Brucella species present was Brucella abortus, a species primarily associated with cattle that causes pregnancy loss and infertility.

Their recent article, published in Nature Communications, suggests that a substantial number of cattle and goats in Cameroon — likely exceeding one million animals — are infected, which indicates a significant potential impact on human health through zoonotic transmission, with several million chronic human infections potentially occurring in the population.

“This study is critical because it provides the first molecular confirmation of whichBrucella species is endemic in Cameroon. We found that only Brucella abortus is present, and its strain is genetically distinct from those outside Africa,” said Dr. Christopher Laine, an assistant research scientist and epidemiologist in Arenas’ lab. “This was unexpected, as previous assumptions suggested multiple species might circulate.”

“Understanding the strain’s origin and uniqueness is essential for designing targeted control measures, particularly since B. abortus primarily infects cattle rather than small ruminants or pigs,” Arenas said. “Focused surveillance and prevention strategies are critical for controlling this disease. By mapping genetic relationships, we can strengthen surveillance and implement region-specific strategies to reduce transboundary transmission.”

The Challenges In Fighting Brucellosis

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that can spread to people who handle infected tissues from major livestock species, including cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats, as well as through consumption of unpasteurized dairy products.

In humans, it can cause chronic fever, joint pain, neurological issues, cardiovascular issues, and potentially death. Because many of its symptoms mimic malaria, typhoid, or even food poisoning, affected individuals are often misdiagnosed, sometimes even for years.

One of the biggest challenges in fighting brucellosis is a lack of awareness among doctors, veterinarians, and policymakers in affected countries.

“Lack of awareness among health professionals and policymakers is a major barrier,” Arenas said. “This knowledge gap was a key motivator for our work — without accurate data and awareness, effective control programs cannot be implemented.”

Learning more about which species of bacteria cause brucellosis in affected countries is an important step in developing plans to reduce transmission, as it can indicate how the disease is spreading and support the development of control and prevention approaches, including diagnostics and vaccines.

Diving Into The Data

A researcher in a maroon shirt kneels in front of a group of African children.
Drs. Angela Arenas (front, kneeling) and Christopher Laine (left) visit a local farm in Bafoussam, Cameroon, to learn about pastoral ranching practices and assess available resources and facilities with the goal of supporting sustainable livestock management and improving the livelihoods of local farming communities.

For the recent study in Cameroon, the Arenas research team analyzed tissue samples taken from seemingly healthy animals in the Far-North, North, and West regions of Cameroon between February 2021 and May 2023.

Through a series of diagnostic tests, the team determined that approximately 8.3% of cattle and 7.3% of goats were infected with B. abortus. Because cattle serve as the primary host of this Brucella species, these results indicate that they are likely the main livestock species driving brucellosis transmission in Cameroon.

“These findings show that control measures need to focus primarily on cattle,” Laine said. “This is a major step forward and highly significant for Cameroon because the government now has a specific livestock target rather than speculating that goats or sheep are the primary source.

“Even small percentages of infected animals can have an outsized impact on disease spread,” Laine said. “Brucella abortus is easily transmitted, and a single infected cow can expose many other animals through shared markets and grazing. The risk to people is even greater: because milk from multiple cows is routinely mixed and sold raw, one infected animal’s milk can reach hundreds of consumers each week.”

Next‑generation DNA sequencing showed that the B. abortus strain circulating in Cameroon is genetically related to strains found in Uganda and Sudan but distinct from those present on other continents, which suggests that the strain likely spread to Cameroon from within Africa rather than being introduced from outside the region.

“This finding underscores the need for control strategies centered on regional collaboration and enhanced border surveillance, as neighboring countries are likely facing similar epidemiological patterns,” Laine said.

Ongoing Work

This study, which was funded by the United States Department of Defense’s Defense Threat Reduction Agency, is part of a series of projects Arenas’ team has been conducting to fight brucellosis in several countries, also including Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, and Armenia.

Their work has also included measuring the rates of misdiagnosis, developing new diagnostic tests, training researchers in affected countries, and providing educational resources for local health professionals, officials, and community members.

“Brucellosis is a leading cause of economic loss and human suffering in low-resource settings, with global estimates reaching up to 7 million new cases annually,” Laine said. “The disease reduces livestock productivity and poses a serious public health threat.

“Our work spans multiple countries to strengthen diagnostic capacity, minimize misdiagnosis, and advance One Health strategies,” he said. “Ultimately, our goal is to provide evidence-based tools that enable policymakers to implement sustainable control programs and reduce the overall burden of disease.”

Their work has a global impact, not only because of the disease’s current widespread reach and the speed at which it can spread, but also because of its potential use as a bioweapon.

“Beyond its natural spread, Brucella is a potential bioweapon due to its ease of aerosolization and high infectivity,” Arenas said. “This underscores the need for international collaboration and investment in surveillance and control.”

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For more information about the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, please visit our website at vetmed.tamu.edu or join us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Contact Information: Jennifer Gauntt, Director of VMBS Communications, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, jgauntt@cvm.tamu.edu, 979-862-4216

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Ruff Days Or Cat-astrophies? How To Help Pets Handle Stressful Situations

Brown and white dog with its paw in someone's hand.

Just like with people, when pets experience chronic stress it can raise cortisol levels, heart rate, and blood pressure; weaken the immune system; and even cause fluctuations in weight — all of which increase a pet’s risk of becoming ill.

Fortunately, pets are skilled at expressing their emotions through body language. Learning to understand these signals and to recognize when stress is building can make all the difference in helping pets stay healthy and comfortable.

Dr. Audra Jones, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences’ Veterinary Education, Research, & Outreach campus in Canyon, Texas, explains common causes of stress and how owners can recognize and best support pets in stressful times.

Stressful Situations

Some situations — like veterinary visits, car rides, moving houses, and introducing new pets to the household — are especially challenging for pets.

“Pets may associate veterinary visits with stress related to the pain of injections or treatments, or even the smells of other animals in the same space as them,” Jones said. “While car rides are enjoyable for some pets, others can have very different responses due, in part, to motion sickness, past negative experiences, and unfamiliar sights and sounds.”

Big life changes, like moving to a new house or quick introductions of a new pet, can also heighten stress.

“Cats and dogs are territorial in nature and like to be in places that are familiar to them,” Jones said. “Pets also don’t like to share space with another animal that may threaten their environment and peace.”

Signs of Stress

Stress can show up in subtle ways before it becomes severe.

“Commonly, both dogs and cats will yawn or lick their nose and lips as an early sign of discomfort in a situation,” Jones said.

If stress increases, physical behaviors may become more noticeable.

“Both dogs and cats might freeze and it is possible to see them shaking in fear,” Jones said. “They might also tuck their tails between their legs and lower their bodies closer to the ground in an attempt to ‘shrink away’ from the stress.

“Pets might also defecate or urinate under severe stress,” Jones said. “And stressed-out pets will usually not want to eat treats or drink water until the stressful situation is resolved and they feel comfortable enough to let their guard down.”

While both dogs and cats can sometimes express similar stress behaviors, there are also differences between species.

“Dogs will generally start panting when stressed and sometimes will smack their lips or jaws together,” Jones said. “Cats will commonly look for hiding places or run from stressful situations.”

How To Help Stressed Pets

When a pet becomes stressed, owners should stay calm, be patient, and work to diffuse tension.

“When animals feel unsafe or nervous, they can become aggressive and go into fight or flight mode,” Jones said. “If a dog is growling, please do not attempt to approach the animal. This dog is reacting with ‘fight’ and will likely attack if approached or threatened.”

Instead, owners should avoid loud noises, speak calmly, and observe pets’ reactions to different tones — some animals respond well to higher-pitched voices, while others may find them irritating.

“Try to recognize what’s making the pet feel stressed or unsafe and, if possible, remove that threat from their environment,” Jones said.

Creating positive associations before stressful events can also help. To prepare for visiting a veterinary clinic for the first time, Jones recommends doing a “happy visit.”

“During these visits, dogs walk through the clinic and get used to the smells and people involved in the day-to-day activities without a negative association such as a vaccine, nail trim, or other procedure,” Jones said. “For cat patients, I let them explore and receive treats in the exam room. And all pets get treats before and after the visit.”

Medication can also be a valuable tool for particularly anxious pets.

“If you know that your pet gets stressed about car rides or vet visits, ask your veterinarian about prescribing an anti-anxiety treatment,” Jones said. “These prescriptions are catered to each individual patient and have a great safety profile. They can make stressful experiences much more enjoyable for pets and all others involved.”

Cats, in particular, benefit from gradual desensitization, including things such as leaving their carrier out before a visit, which allows them to explore and feel more comfortable, and spraying the carrier with synthetic pheromones at least 15 minutes before travel.

“Pheromones are natural chemicals that are secreted by cats to mark a safe spot,” Jones said. “When cats rub against a tree or your leg, they are marking that spot as ‘safe’ by secreting pheromones.

“Luckily, there are products available that contain that same ‘safe’ chemical,” Jones said. “Using these sprays in a cat’s carrier and/or putting the spray on a towel and placing it in the carrier will help ‘mark’ safe spaces for cats.”

Stress is an inevitable part of life — for both humans and animals — but understanding how it affects pets and learning how to best support them during those situations can prevent long-term consequences.

Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the web at vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk. Suggestions for future topics may be directed to vmbs-editor@tamu.edu.

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Aggie Veterinary Student Pursues Career Goals With Help From Biomedical Sciences Master’s Degree

Brianna Bazel in scrubs standing in a field with several deer
Brianna Bazel
Photos by Ryleigh Rejcek ’26, VMBS Marketing & Communications

Rolling up in a mobile vaccine clinic, sprinting after a lost dog in the middle of the night, or even spending an afternoon inquiring about caffeine’s effect on cows is a typical day for Brianna Bazel, a third-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) student at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS)

Bazel’s nontraditional path to veterinary school has included time in the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets as an undergraduate and with the Biomedical Sciences (BIMS) master’s non-thesis degree program, taking her on a journey full of memorable moments that have been driven by her curiosity to explore the world of veterinary medicine.

A Texas Transition

Hailing from Boston, Massachusetts, Bazel never imagined that her path would intersect with Texas.

“I came down to Texas when I was 17 after my mom’s travel nursing assignment,” Bazel said. “She expected to be here for a few weeks, but then she met my stepdad. She fell in love, married him, and they have been together for 10 years now.”

Her mom’s career as an emergency pediatric nurse introduced Bazel to the world of medicine, but because of her lifelong love for animals, she chose to pursue a career as a veterinarian. She also appreciated the flexibility, freedom, and pace a veterinary medicine career could offer.

“If I have an interest in emergency medicine, I can do that immediately after graduation,” Bazel said. “If I want to work with cows in 10 years, I can do that. If I want to be a pathologist, I can go back to school and pursue that. I just love how broad the field is.”

When it came time to choose a college for her undergraduate degree, Bazel was drawn to Texas A&M both because it was where her stepdad graduated and because of its reputation as a friendly campus; as a BIMS major, she also found community with the Corps of Cadets during Fish Camp. 

“I spent four years running around in khakis as a cadet in company I-1,” Bazel said. “I loved my Corps community; it gave me a support structure I wouldn’t have had had I gone the traditional route.”

Bazel also enjoyed the hands-on experiences she received from the BIMS program.

“I worked at the Winnie Carter Wildlife Center with Dr. Alice Blue-McLendon, caring for deer, zebras, and other exotic animals,” Bazel said. “I also got to go hang out with alpacas with the Pre-Vet Society, where I helped coordinate the Shadow Program — an opportunity for members to be matched with a veterinarian for shadowing.”

The BIMS Master’s Advantage

Bazel doing gig 'em while surrounded by deer

Despite her experiences during undergrad, Bazel felt that her veterinary school application was lacking, so she decided to pursue a master’s degree; she believed that the fast-paced nature of the VMBS’ BIMS master’s program would help her ease the transition between her undergraduate experience and veterinary school and pursued the program’s non-thesis option (BIMS NTO).

“I wanted extra guidance and structure, and the BIMS master’s degree program gave me a clear, linear path to become a good applicant for vet school,” Bazel said. “The idea behind the program is that you’re being set up for success in professional schooling.”

Since completing her master’s degree, to her surprise, Bazel has discovered that there is overlap in the BIMS NTO coursework and the first year of veterinary school, with anatomy and physiology being almost identical.

The mentorship available through the graduate program also helped enhance her veterinary school application.

“During my wildlife disease course, I was able to meet Dr. Walter Cook, the resident wildlife disease expert here at Texas A&M,” Bazel said. “Through his class I got the chance to give a lecture on bluetongue virus (an insect-borne virus affecting ruminants) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (a fatal illness that affects white-tailed deer) to a crowd of undergrads. This opportunity allowed me to dive into these diseases and gain an interest in pursuing future studies regarding the topic.”

Following the course’s end, Bazel was able to research white-tailed deer alongside Cook.

“I also got to shadow Dr. Albert Mulenga in his lab for a semester,” Bazel said. “He’s working on some extremely cool genetics research that could someday lead to anti-tick vaccines. His team is incredibly smart, and I felt so lucky to get to meet them.”

Even years after completing her master’s program, Bazel said she’s still able to count on the mentors who invested in her long-term success.

“Dr. Christine Budke was my chair for the BIMS NTO program,” Bazel said. “She helped me prepare my vet school application and she’s even my coauthor and boss for a research project I am working on.”

These experiences built her confidence — and her veterinary school application — and she was accepted into the VMBS’ 2+2 DVM program in Canyon, Texas, as a member of the DVM Class of 2027. She has also realized how instrumental the BIMS NTO program has been in preparing her for the rigor of professional school.

“I am so deeply grateful for the experience that I got from the BIMS master’s program,” she said. “It gave me the preparation I needed for doing a lot of very complicated things very quickly. It helped me build confidence so that even if I fall flat on my face one day, it won’t be the end of the world.”

“The most important thing for prospective students to remember is that you should not build this idea of ‘my life doesn’t start until vet school,’ because that’s not true. I got to experience so much just being on that journey.”

Brianna Bazel

Pursuing Unique Experiences

As part of the 2+2 program, Bazel completed the first two years of her veterinary education at the VMBS’ Veterinary Education, Research, & Outreach (VERO) campus, located on the West Texas A&M University campus.

“I appreciated the small class sizes, the student-to-faculty ratio, the chance to explore a new part of Texas, and the opportunity to become more comfortable with food animal medicine,” Bazel said. “I got what I came for, and I am very grateful for the mentorship that I received as well as the friends I made at VERO.”

As a veterinary student, Bazel’s interests have continued to evolve as she’s taken advantage of opportunities presented to her.

“I was one of 12 people in the country who entered the Boehringer Ingelheim and USDA Agricultural Research Service Program,” Bazel said. “I was in Kansas working with Dr. Stacey Scroggs, a government virologist who studies the effects of vesicular stomatitis, bluetongue virus (BTV), and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV).”

BTV and EHDV are especially dangerous because they can adapt rapidly, much like the influenza virus. This makes vaccine development difficult, and the initiative to understand how these viruses operate that much more important.

These experiences, along with more traditional veterinary roles — including her work as an animal control officer (ACO) — have led Bazel to return to the field of shelter medicine. Combining her passions, she is currently conducting a research project in which she’s analyzing a year’s worth of bite report data from five cities in Texas.

“I’ve found a love for population health, which makes me feel like I’m making an impact,” Bazel said.

Living And Learning

In between her classes and extracurriculars, Bazel can be found tapping into her Corps roots.

“I’m a trail runner; this is the biggest thing I got out of the Corps,” Bazel said. “I go to Lake Bryan every weekend and run around the wilderness up there. I go right at sundown so that it’s the last thing I do before I wind down for the night — it’s a nice chance to decompress.”

As she nears the end of veterinary school, Bazel is open to going wherever her widespread interests take her.

“The most important thing for prospective students to remember is that you should not build this idea of ‘my life doesn’t start until vet school,’ because that’s not true,” Bazel said. “I got to experience so much just being on that journey.

“I didn’t do things just for the process; I did them for me,” Bazel said. “So, my advice to aspiring veterinarians is to explore — do the things that look cool, have fun, and get a little sidetracked. It’s OK if you are more than a pre-vet student. You can be human, too.”

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For more information about the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, please visit our website at vetmed.tamu.edu or join us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Contact Information: Jennifer Gauntt, Director of VMBS Communications, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, jgauntt@cvm.tamu.edu, 979-862-4216

Bridging Gaps In Veterinary Medicine: Texas A&M Gains New Food Animal Faculty Member

Dr. Jake Trautmann holding a black and white cow's halter
Dr. Jake Trautmann
Photos by Nadya Pichkasova

In his new role as a clinical assistant professor in the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences’ Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Dr. Jake Trautmann brings a passion for mentorship, a deep appreciation for livestock health, and a philosophy centered on critical thinking and adaptability.

Through teaching, clinical service, and research, the food animal veterinarian hopes to bridge gaps in the field while inspiring future veterinarians to approach every animal and every challenge with confidence.

His Path To Veterinary Care

Trautmann grew up in a family where service was second nature. His parents started a greyhound rescue, and as the youngest of seven, he watched his older siblings pursue careers in healthcare and education.

“We had upwards of several dozen greyhounds over the course of my childhood,” Trautmann said. “We also had family members who owned cattle, so I’ve always wanted to work with animals.”

That early sense of purpose led him to Texas A&M, where he pursued his undergraduate degree in production animal science. During one of his courses, Trautmann met Dr. Chad Paulk, a clinical assistant professor of swine nutrition and production, who introduced him to the field that would define his future career.

Paulk not only became a mentor but also connected Trautmann to a summer job on a pig farm in Indiana — an experience that left a lasting impression.

“I had a great time and, honestly, almost quit undergrad to continue working there,” Trautmann said. “You see these tiny piglets, eight to 12 per litter, and in just a few weeks, right before your eyes, they’re 30 to 40 pounds. You get this sense of accomplishment because you helped them get there.”

While looking for a job after graduation, Trautmann began mowing lawns at Ten West Bird and Animal Hospital — until Dr. Barbara Powers, the hospital’s owner, discovered he had a degree in production animal science and offered him a technician position.

Over the next few years, Powers saw his potential and encouraged him to think bigger.

“She told me, ‘This shouldn’t be your last stop. You should keep pursuing education. I think you’d be a great veterinarian,’” Trautmann said. “After that conversation, almost out of the blue, Ross University sent me a flyer for their veterinary school.”

Pursing His Degree

Dr. Jake Trautmann listening to a black cow's heart with a stethoscope

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, located on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts, brought Trautmann both challenges and clarity.

“When my first exam grades came back, I didn’t do that well,” Trautmann said. “But I knew my first priority was vet school, so I buckled down.”

Over time, he found his rhythm and started leaning into his enduring interest in swine medicine — and discovering how few others shared it.

“I assumed there would be a group of students interested in pigs, but that wasn’t the case,” Trautmann said. “I joined the swine club, but most of the people in it didn’t view pigs as their career path.”

At Ross, DVM students complete their fourth-year clinical training at other veterinary schools, and when it was time to rank schools for his final year, Trautmann was told that Iowa State had a large focus on swine.

“Unfortunately, there weren’t a whole lot of people focused on swine at Iowa State either,” Trautmann said. “It was surprising how few people, from my perspective, focus on swine, considering pigs are a major food-producing species. I figured that needed to be my responsibility.”

From Student To Veterinarian

Trautmann’s time at Iowa State coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant that his clinical rotations were partially or completely online. As a result, when he graduated and didn’t feel confident in his “practice-readiness,” he was advised by a professor to pursue a veterinary internship. 

Texas A&M was at the top of his list — not only because he was familiar with the campus but because he constantly heard of the quality of mentorship and community it offered — and he was accepted for a large animal rotating internship with a food animal emphasis.

The experience marked the beginning of his transition from a student to a practicing veterinarian and helped him gain confidence by working with multiple specialties, assisting senior clinicians with emergency cases, and teaching fourth-year veterinary students.

“It used to make me nervous when we’d get certain emergency calls — like a septic calf — and I’d always question my skills,” Trautmann said. “Over time, I got to the point where I could easily recognize what was making the animal sick, what it needed, and how to help it recover.”

After his internship year, Trautmann remained at Texas A&M for an internal medicine residency, through which he worked more independently, deepened his diagnostic expertise, and took on more professional responsibilities.

Teaching The Next Generation

Dr. Jake Trautmann leading a black cow by the halter

Now, as a clinical assistant professor, Trautmann devotes much of his time to coordinating and teaching lectures and labs for first- through third-year students, equipping them with the foundational skills they’ll need for their fourth-year clinical rotations. He hopes to encourage students to find value in every area of veterinary medicine, regardless of their intended specialty — a lesson he learned during his own training.

“During my first five semesters in veterinary school, there was a huge focus on small animals,” Trautmann said. “I don’t mind working with small animals, but it definitely wasn’t why I went to vet school. Still, I valued that training and have tried to use it to improve my approach to large animal medicine.

“I want to instill in my students that being a veterinarian isn’t just about working with small or large animals; you have to be prepared to treat a variety of animals,” he said. “Disasters happen — like severe flooding in Texas — and you have to ask yourself, ‘what would I be comfortable doing?’ If you embrace every part of veterinary medicine, there’s little you’ll be uncomfortable with.”

Trautmann will also mentor interns and residents, helping them navigate difficult cases and refine their clinical judgement, and continue providing clinical care, primarily handling emergency and critical care cases for food animals at the Large Animal Teaching Hospital.

Looking Ahead

Although he’s still settling into his new role and awaiting his board-certification exam, Trautmann is excited for the future.

Beyond teaching and clinical duty, he hopes to pursue some of his research interests, including exploring new ways to preserve rumen fluid for microbiome transplants in cattle and pancreatitis’ potential role in unexplained gastrointestinal disease in pigs.

“I think there’s a lot more to learn about digestive health in livestock,” Trautmann said. “If we can better understand what’s going on internally, we can improve care for these animals and outcomes for producers.”

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For more information about the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, please visit our website at vetmed.tamu.edu or join us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Contact Information: Jennifer Gauntt, Director of VMBS Communications, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, jgauntt@cvm.tamu.edu, 979-862-4216

More Isn’t Always Better: Texas A&M Research Links High-Dose Antioxidants To Offspring Birth Defects

Dr. Michael Golding standing next to a microscope in his research lab
Dr. Michael Golding
Photos by Jason Nitsch

Findings from a mouse study suggest men planning to conceive should use caution with antioxidant supplements, as excess intake can influence sperm and early offspring craniofacial development.

Antioxidants have been marketed as miracle supplements, touted for preventing chronic diseases and cancers; treating COPD and dementia; and slowing aging.

While antioxidant therapies are widely used to treat male infertility, a new study from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) found that, ironically, regularly consuming high doses of antioxidants negatively influences sperm DNA and may lead to offspring born with differences in craniofacial development.

In their study, published Dec. 19 in the journal Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, a team of researchers led by Dr. Michael Golding examined the effects of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and selenium (Se) — two widely used antioxidants — in mouse models.

They found that offspring of male mice exposed to antioxidants for six weeks exhibited skull and facial shape differences, even while the father’s health didn’t change.

These findings suggest that men should exercise caution when consuming high doses of antioxidants, especially if they’re planning to have children in the near future.   

When Good Goes Too Far

Dr. Michaela Golding looking into a microscope

Antioxidants like NAC — which is a key ingredient in many nutritional supplements, including multivitamins — are often used to treat oxidative stress, which can be caused by excessive alcohol consumption.

Because Golding’s lab has been studying the effects of parental alcohol consumption on offspring — and have successfully correlated this consumption to a whole host of issues in children born to males who consumed excessive amounts of alcohol, including craniofacial abnormalities — his team was interested in the impacts of adding NAC or Se to a male mouse’s diet.

“We know alcohol causes oxidative stress and we were looking to push back on it by adding a supplement known to lower oxidative stress,” said Golding, a professor in the VMBS’ Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology. “When we realized that offspring born to males that had only been given NAC were displaying skull and facial differences, it was a surprise because this molecule is universally thought to be good.

“When we sat down to think it through, we realized that it makes sense — you take a multivitamin to ensure that you’re in balance, but if the thing that you’re taking to ensure you’re in balance is unbalanced (the dose of antioxidants is too high), then you’re not doing a good thing.”

It is well established that high doses of antioxidants can have negative impacts; research has proven that antioxidants can diminish the effects of exercise in endurance athletes, for example, and, in the case of professional athletes, can lead to negative outcomes in performance metrics.

“Sperm health is another performance metric; it’s just not one that we think about in everyday life,” Golding said. “If you’re taking a high dose antioxidant, you could be diminishing your reproductive fitness and part of the journey toward the bad outcome is going to be the effects on the offspring.”

What The Face Reveals About The Brain

Dr. Michael Golding working in his lab

Among their unanticipated findings was that female offspring, in particular, exhibited significantly closer-set eyes and smaller skulls, which are also symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome.

“There’s a very commonly accepted truism in pediatric medicine that the face mirrors the brain, because the brain and the face form at the same time,” Golding said. “When your face migrates (during gestation), it’s using cues from your brain to know where to go, and if the two things are not aligned, there’s either a delay or some kind of abnormality in brain development.

“So, if you see abnormalities in the midline of the face, you’re probably going to see midline abnormalities in the brain,” he said. “People with these abnormalities typically have problems with impulse control, neurological conditions like epilepsy, and other developmental issues.”

Whether the offspring in this project will exhibit central nervous system dysfunction will require further study.

The Dose Makes The Difference

While the lab continues to research this “unexplored frontier,” Golding says in the case of antioxidants, too much of a good thing can, in fact, be too much, especially in the absence of a medical reason to take an antioxidant supplement.

Because many men regularly take high doses of these supplements — including products that contain antioxidant-rich ingredients — it’s important to pay attention to how much of these compounds are listed on the label. This includes NAC, which is one of the key ingredients in many multivitamins and is often found in high doses in these pills.

“The larger message here is that there’s a balance,” Golding said. “Think of yourself as a plant — if you stick your plant out in the sun too long, it’s going to get dehydrated. If you overwater your plant, it gets root rot. But if you have the right balance of sunshine and water, that’s when growth occurs. Health is in that domain.

“If your vitamins are providing 1,000% of the recommended daily amount, you should be cautious,” he said. “If you stick to the 100% range, then you should be OK.”

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For more information about the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, please visit our website at vetmed.tamu.edu or join us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Contact Information: Jennifer Gauntt, Director of VMBS Communications, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, jgauntt@cvm.tamu.edu, 979-862-4216

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Easterwood Begins New Leadership Role With Texas A&M Veterinary Continuing Education

Dr. Leslie Easterwood headshot
Dr. Leslie Easterwood

Dr. Leslie Easterwood, a strong advocate for lifelong learning, has been named director of the Office of Continuing Education (CE) at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS).

Easterwood, who also serves as a VMBS clinical associate professor, began her new role on Jan. 1 and is excited to expand the VMBS’ CE offerings across a variety of veterinary fields and continue establishing Texas A&M as a nationally renowned source for veterinary CE.

“Dr. Easterwood is well-known in the veterinary profession as a proud Aggie, dedicated equine practitioner, and a leader in organized veterinary medicine. These roles made her the perfect candidate to take the reins as director of our Office of Continuing Education,” said Dr. Bonnie R. Rush, the Carl B. King Dean of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M.  “We thank Dr. Jordan Tayce for his significant work in enhancing the visibility and quality of CE offerings by the college.” 

As she leaves her previous role with the Texas A&M Large Animal Teaching Hospital’s Equine Community Practice Service, Easterwood is excited to enhance the future of veterinary medicine though her new position.

“I’ve always enjoyed participating in CE, so the opportunity to provide and expand our CE is exciting,” Easterwood said. “I’m looking forward to building upon the programming and networking opportunities Dr. Jordan Tayce (the former CE director) has established and offering more and more targeted, hands-on opportunities.”

Embracing Hands-On Learning

With more veterinarians seeking engaging learning experiences, Easterwood sees the future of CE taking place in the lab or field as much as the classroom.

“We hope to expand not only the number of CE offerings — across both small and large animal medicine — but also the wet lab component,” Easterwood said. “More veterinarians are seeking and expecting hands-on opportunities instead of the traditional lecture-only format.”

She plans to continue the CE office’s regular annual offerings, which include the Emergency & Critical Care Conference, the Feline Forum, the Veterinary Technician Annual Conference (VTAC), and the Veterinary Instruction Through Alumni (VITA) conference.

In addition, she hopes to pursue new, unique opportunities such as a mixed animal ophthalmology conference and even extend CE beyond the VMBS’ walls with an exotic animal training in South Africa.

“Our attendees want to gain knowledge and skills that they can take home and put into practice on Monday,” Easterwood said.

She also hopes to incorporate student education into current and future CE events, providing veterinary students from across the country with the chance to learn from VMBS experts.

To support this growing schedule, Easterwood has hired Miranda Britton, a veterinary technician and program assistant, to join the CE staff support team and help ensure that the office is equipped to plan and run a wide variety of events.

A Passion For Service

Easterwood listens to a cow's heartbeat at the Houston Rodeo
Easterwood at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Easterwood earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M in 1995 and spent 10 years working in private practice before returning to the VMBS in 2005 for a residency, followed by her faculty position.

She is well-known for living out the Aggie Core Value of selfless service through her decades of dedication to organized veterinary medicine.

Easterwood has served on the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ (AAEP) Foundation Advisory Council, Board of Directors, Membership Development Committee, and more. Most recently, she served as chair of the Foundation for the Horse, initiating the AAEP’s most ambitious fundraising program and substantially increasing efforts to support equine research and student scholarships.

In addition, she is a past president of the Texas Equine Veterinary Association and has served as one of two official veterinarians for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for 21 years.

Her efforts have been recognized with numerous awards over the years, including the My Mentor Honor that was announced on Dec. 7 at the AAEP annual convention. This award celebrates Easterwood’s tremendous impact on the lives of students, colleagues, and others in the equine community.

“Teaching students and contributing to the next generation of equine practitioners is one of the most satisfying parts of my job; that is why I have stayed in academic practice in our Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for the last 20 years,” Easterwood said. “There is no higher honor for me than to have received this recognition for mentorship.”

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For more information about the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, please visit our website at vetmed.tamu.edu or join us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Contact Information: Jennifer Gauntt, Director of VMBS Communications, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, jgauntt@cvm.tamu.edu, 979-862-4216

Texas A&M Association Of Former Students Honors VMBS Faculty Members For Outstanding Teaching, Mentoring

The Texas A&M Association of Former Students has recognized two College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) faculty members with College-Level Teaching Awards for their excellence as teachers and mentors.

Drs. Sara Lawhon and Randolph Stewart were selected as award recipients by their faculty peers for their high expectations for students, the academic rigor in their classrooms, and their responsibility in motivating and contributing to the overall success of their students.

“I am proud to recognize and celebrate two of our teaching colleagues for their unwavering dedication to education and mentorship,” said Dr. Bonnie Rush, the Carl B. King Dean of Veterinary Medicine. “Drs. Lawhon and Stewart play pivotal roles in shaping the academic and professional growth of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) students and graduate trainees. I thank them both for their commitment to Texas A&M University’s Core Values and their dedication to advancing our college’s mission through excellence in education, research, and service.”

Dr. Sara Lawhon

Randy Reyes, Dr. Sara Lawhon, and Dr. Bonnie Rush at the holiday party. Lawhon is holding her award plaque from the Association of Former Students.
Texas A&M Association of Former Students Assistant Vice President of Marketing & Communication Randy Reyes, Dr. Sara Lawhon, and VMBS Dean Dr. Bonnie Rush

Lawhon is a professor and the associate department head for teaching in the VMBS’ Department of Veterinary Pathobiology. She contributes to several courses in the DVM curriculum, including Agents of Disease, Organ Dysfunction, Research & Discovery in Veterinary Medicine, and Clinical Diagnostics.

“Dr. Lawhon’s teaching exemplifies innovation and a deep commitment to student success, seamlessly integrating foundational knowledge with real-world clinical application,” one nominator said.

Her teaching expertise has made an impact beyond the VMBS as well through case-based learning modules developed in collaboration with the Texas A&M Center for Educational Technologies.

“These resources have significantly strengthened antimicrobial stewardship education and contributed to national efforts to address antimicrobial resistance,” one nominator said. “Her sustained scholarly contributions and commitment to educational excellence have positioned her as a national leader in integrating antimicrobial stewardship into the DVM curriculum.”

Outside of the classroom, Lawhon directs the Clinical Microbiology & Immunology Laboratory within the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital — providing DVM students and veterinary residents with hands-on diagnostic experience — and conducts impactful research on various subjects within the field of microbiology.

She has also been recognized with the Zoetis Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award, the Bridges Teaching and Service Award, and John H. Milliff 1928 Memorial Award for Teaching, the Students of the American Veterinary Medical Association Teaching Excellence Award, and many more.

“Dr. Lawhon sets clear expectations and check-in points in order for students to develop self-sufficiency in education and research while always feeling supported and driven to achieve, qualities from which I have personally experienced and benefited,” said one former student. “Beyond my own invaluable experiences working with Dr. Lawhon, I often was witness to her interacting directly with her other students and can attest to the care and attention she showed each one. I carry her methods and attitude forward with me in my career and know many others do as well.”

Dr. Randolph Stewart

Drs. Cristine Heaps, Randolph Stewart, and Ramesh Vemulapalli at a holiday party. Stewart is holding his award plaque from the Association of Former Students
VTPP Department Head Dr. Cristine Heaps, Dr. Randolph Stewart, and VMBS Executive Associate Dean Dr. Ramesh Vemulapalli

Stewart, a clinical professor in the VMBS’ Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology (VTPP), is a key instructor of physiology for both DVM and graduate students. He also supports undergraduate student learning by providing authentic research experiences that have resulted in abstracts, posters, and manuscripts.

“As a professor, Dr. Stewart provides students the opportunity to be involved in — and, ultimately, take charge of and be responsible for — their own learning,” one nominator said. “This is truly transformational teaching that is exceptionally well-received and supported by DVM students.”

In the physiology teaching laboratory, Stewart often goes above and beyond to ensure that his students achieve full understanding of complex physiological concepts. He even designed and built a working model of the cardiovascular system from transparent tubing, valves, and syringes.

“Dr. Stewart’s commitment to student success is evident in his mentoring of those who struggle,” one nominator said. “Rather than lowering expectations, he helps students rise to meet them — providing clarity, structure, and encouragement that empowers learners to persist through difficulty. The lasting testament to his impact is found in the careers of the thousands of veterinary students he has taught and mentored.”

Stewart freely volunteers his time to support students and his fellow faculty members, including be serving on the VMBS Curriculum Committee, the VMBS and VTPP Promotion & Tenure Committees, the Clinical Research Review Committee, and more.

Stewart previously received the Association of Former Students’ College-Level Teaching Award in 2001 and has also been recognized with the VMBS’ Richard H. Davis Teaching Award, as a Texas A&M University Regents Fellow, and more.

“Dr. Stewart has a rare talent for explaining difficult topics in a way that feels accessible,” one former student said. “He made complex physiology interesting and clinically applicable by using real-world examples to help bridge the gap between theory and practice. It’s clear that he takes real joy in helping us grow into thoughtful, competent veterinarians, and I’m grateful to have had the chance to learn from him.”

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For more information about the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, please visit our website at vetmed.tamu.edu or join us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Contact Information: Jennifer Gauntt, Director of VMBS Communications, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, jgauntt@cvm.tamu.edu, 979-862-4216

Nutritional Needs: A Guide To Selecting Cat Food

A black and white cat looking up at a can of cat food

A cat’s health begins with their diet. In order to determine the best meals for feline friends, owners must be able to distinguish and select between numerous food options — a choice that is best made by knowing their specific cat’s needs and preferences.

Dr. Deb Zoran, a professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, provides guidance to cat owners on choosing the most nutritious food to support their cat’s health and well-being.

The Wet Vs. Dry Debate

When considering whether to feed your cat wet or dry food, owners should understand the benefits of both options.

“The differences are primarily physical — texture, moisture, and how they are processed,” Zoran said. “Wet is cooked, while dry is extruded, made into pellets, and then cooked. Wet food is about 75-80% water, and dry is less than 5% water, unless it’s a ‘soft moist’ product.”

In addition to its crunch-based texture, dry foods tend to have higher fiber and other carbohydrates, and while canned foods can vary widely, they can have a higher protein content.

Because the majority of a cat’s daily hydration needs are typically met with their diet, according to Zoran, wet food goes a long way in ensuring adequate water intake, which is especially important in the prevention of constipation and maintaining a good urine output. However, many people prefer to feed both, and with proper feeding approaches cats can benefit from diets that contain both dry and wet foods.

Because dry foods contain little water, they are more calorie dense than wet foods, so if dry foods are fed, portion control is essential to prevent overfeeding and weight gain.

“Most adult cats only need about 200 calories a day, and if you are feeding both canned and dry food you have to account for both,” Zoran said. “A good rule of thumb is that if you are feeding a volume of food that is larger than the cat’s head, you are overfeeding.”

Because of the importance of portion control, Zoran advises against the use of demand-feeder methods — in which the cat triggers a dispenser — and free feeding.

“Indoor spayed and neutered cats are particularly prone to weight gain because they get less exercise, less stimulation, more food, and more calorie-dense food,” Zoran said. “So, it’s really crucial to control their intake.”

Selecting A Brand

When choosing a food brand or consistency, owners should consider your cat’s individual needs. Paying attention to the specific nutritional statements on packaging can help owners choose a brand that is trustworthy and consistent in offering a well-balanced meal, according to Zoran.

“Seeking out packaging that explicitly states ‘complete and balanced for all life stages’ is an important first step, as this legally defined claim can only be used if a brand is meeting specific nutritional standards,” she said. “Many cat foods on the shelves have ‘add ons’ or ‘flavor enhancers,’ which are not formulated to be a complete diet on their own, so that is very important to pay attention to.”

Another indicator of quality is found in brands that have been on the market for a long time and have earned credibility through consumer consistency.

“There are new or smaller pet food companies that are not necessarily bad, but they may not have established or published quality controls or nutritionists on staff,” Zoran said. “A lot of people like these foods — they appeal to people because of how they are marketed — but, you should consult your veterinarian or contact the company for specific information about their product.”

Feline Food Flexibility

In addition, understanding and monitoring a cat’s eating habits are vital in maintaining a healthy diet and regular feeding routine.

“There are some unique behavioral and preference considerations for cats that help determine what kind of food they prefer — whether that’s dry vs. canned, flaked vs. pate, and so on,” Zoran said. “Unlike dogs, cats usually will not easily transition to another food if they were not introduced to it at a young age or have not been routinely fed over time; they have very distinct, learned preferences and will develop food habits that can be hard to change.”

Cats that eat only dry food only as kittens tend to grow attached to that taste and texture. This can lead to problems later in life if the cat develops a health problem that is best managed with a wet food diet, such as urinary tract disease, kidney disease, or diabetes.

“A cat that prefers dry food may refuse to eat wet food or will, at least, be very resistant to change due to having the learned food preference,” Zoran said. “The easiest way to prevent this issue is to feed some canned and some dry food every day throughout life.”

Meeting a cat’s basic nutritional needs is one of the most important responsibilities as a pet owner, one that may involve some trial and error as you work to balance your cat’s needs with its preferences. 

“Remember, indoor cats can’t supplement their diet with outdoor prey, so they rely completely on us to select the food that meets their needs,” Zoran said.

Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the web at vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk. Suggestions for future topics may be directed to vmbs-editor@tamu.edu.