Penn Vet’s Annual Research Retreat Calls for the Power of Synergy in Challenging Times

Noting the challenges ahead, but celebrating the many breakthroughs at hand, the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) community gathered for their 31^st annual Research Retreat held at the Inn at Swarthmore on October 17.

“Synergies that Accelerate Discovery” was the rallying banner of the meeting of more than 130 Penn Vet faculty, staff, students, and postdocs who turned out for the research symposium.

Phillip Scott, Penn Vet’s Vice Dean for Research and Academic Resources, as opening speaker, said the timing was appropriate.

“The theme today is synergies. I think that gives us power, and the power that we have is our community,” said Scott. Acknowledging current concerns in higher education, including federal funding, he stressed the need to work together. On that front, he saw cause for hope.

“I think we should all be really proud of being at the University of Pennsylvania,” said Scott. “We believe in the integrity of science, of intellectual opportunities to have different points of views.”

The day unfolded to highlight and recognize the many research initiatives and advances in small and large animal health, oncology, infectious and zoonotic disease, One Health work, and other specialties throughout the Penn Vet research community.

The Zoetis Award winner and special guest speakers

Louise Moncla, an assistant professor of pathobiology, received the 2025 Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence. The award recognizes researchers whose innovative studies have advanced the scientific standing of veterinary medicine.

Moncla was commended for her contributions in advancing the understanding of the emergence, evolution, and spread of H5N1 avian influenza viruses in North America, as well as viral evolution and cross-species transmission dynamics.

David F. Meaney, the University’s Vice Provost for Research and Solomon R. Pollack Professor of Bioengineering, gave this year’s Robert R. Marshak Lecture on his groundbreaking work on seeking recovery for concussion.

Scott E. Hensley, professor of microbiology at the Perelman School of Medicine and director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Response, was the retreat’s invited speaker. He spoke about development of avian influenza mRNA-LNP vaccines for humans and livestock.

A day rich in veterinary research and medical advances

Among the many research highlights, Amy L. Johnson, Marilyn M. Simpson Professor of Equine Medicine, took her colleagues through her ongoing investigation of EDM, a neurological disease in horses, including discovering behavioral clues to the condition.

Christopher Hunter, Mindy Halikman Heyer Distinguished Professor of Pathobiology and director of the Institute for Infectious and Zoonotic Diseases, spoke about the work of the institute in supporting basic and clinical infectious disease research and education at Penn Vet. 

Stephen D. Cole, assistant professor of clinical microbiology, talked about his One Health research in the transmission of treatment-resistant carbapenemase-producing organisms. Cole informed his colleagues about the transmission’s human-animal bond issues; research he has been involved with has indicated a crossover in the infection between humans and animals.

Antonella Rotolo, research assistant professor of immunobiology, shed light on novel mechanisms to harness the immune system against cancer, and Christopher Lengner, Harriet Ellison Woodward Professor, provided new insight into tumor suppression and colon cancer.

David Holt, professor of surgery, and Kimberly A. Agnello, professor of orthopedic surgery, lectured on areas in small animal surgeries.

Thomas D. Parsons, Marie A. Moore Professor of Animal Welfare and Ethics and director of the Center for Stewardship Agriculture and Food Security, told his colleagues about the progress of the agroforestry initiative, a multi-disciplinary land-use project that blends trees, livestock, and streamside buffers to turn Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center into a living laboratory for stewardship agriculture.

Eduardo Rico, assistant professor of population medicine, sustainable agriculture, and food security, explored the impacts of nutrition on nutrient metabolism and the health of animals.

Many of those presenters as well as others who shared their work talked about research breakthroughs made possible by collaboration with other scientists, including those at other institutions. The capabilities of Penn Vet’s six core laboratories were also presented, showcasing advanced technologies to support investigators from across the University. It was in keeping with the spirit of the synergy focus of the day.

This year, 48 abstracts were submitted along with displayed posters from faculty, staff, post docs, residents, students, a research follow and a visiting scholar. The topics covered a broad range of topics from T cells to cameras capturing urban wildlife to vocalization among nursing sows to whole genome sequencing.

View the full “Synergies that Accelerate Discovery” 2025 Research Retreat program and abstracts here.

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