Veterinary Student Gains Research Experience with Collaborative Project

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Michael Wallis of Talala, Okla., spent his summer involved in a collaborative research project studying Asian elephants to try to answer the question, how long does it take a healthy elephant’s blood to clot and how can we test their clotting? Wallis, a third year veterinary student, is one of eight veterinary students participating in the Summer Research Scholars Program at Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences. Interested in exotic animals and conservation, his end goal is to apply veterinary medicine to conservation efforts.

“Asian elephants are afflicted with a virus called elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV),” said Wallis. “This virus targets cells that line blood vessels and affects the elephants’ ability to clot, among other issues. Our study looks at coagulation times in elephants using three different methods. Currently, there is limited knowledge on normal elephant coagulation. So, if we can determine normal values using the equipment available at OSU, our results will help others conducting future research.”

The Asian elephant study is funded by the Kirkpatrick Foundation. In addition to studying clotting times, the team will look at ways to ship samples.

“We will simulate shipping over a 24 hour period,” continued Wallis. “Some places may not be able to afford the equipment or personnel needed to process blood samples. So if a zoo or an elephant refuge needs to test an elephant’s blood, we will be able to tell them the best way to ship it to make sure the sample is viable upon arrival at the lab.”

Wallis was excited to be part of this study.

“Elephants are great,” he said. “I have enjoyed getting to network with the hospital clinicians and make connections with people in the area zoos. I have discovered that a study of this magnitude involving three different institutions takes a lot of coordination to make sure everyone is on the same page. Each institution has to follow its Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee guidelines. For example, when the blood is drawn, we have to make sure it is not too much for an animal or the sampling is not done too often.”

“Michael is very dedicated and willing to do everything he can,” added Dr. Joao Brandao, assistant professor of zoological medicine and Wallis’ mentor for the Summer Research Scholars Program. “He is very efficient and I’m pleased to have him helping us with this study. The summer program is a good opportunity for students to get involved in different aspects of research and with people who have been doing research for a long time.”

Wallis presented preliminary data from the Asian elephant study at the National Veterinary Scholars Symposium in College Station, Texas.

The Summer Research Scholars Program is sponsored in part by the Morris Animal Foundation, PetSmart Charities, and the OSU Center for Veterinary Health Sciences including its Department of Veterinary Pathobiology and the office of Research and Graduate Education. To support veterinary medical research, please contact Ms. Chris Sitz, senior director of development and team lead at the OSU Foundation, at 405-385-5170 or csitz@osugiving.com.