How About A Career In Veterinary Pathology? Opportunities in: Diagnostic Labs Academia Industry...

How About A Career In Veterinary Pathology?

Opportunities in:

Diagnostic LabsAcademiaIndustryGovernment From the American

College of Veterinary Pathologists

We are looking for some excellent veterinarians who would like to specialize in an exciting field!

Veterinary pathologists study everything from live animals to proteins

Live animals Diseased organsCells

Organelles Chromosomes Molecules

Emma Cantor, daughter of Dr. Glenn Cantor, contemplates her career path during a necropsy on a musk-ox in Palmer, Alaska.

Diagnostic Veterinary PathologyDiagnostic Veterinary Pathology

Finding the causes of diseases in animals of all species

Duties of a diagnostic pathologist Diagnosis (for one animal or a group) Prognosis – predict the outcome and

report risks to animals and humans Written report to primary clinician

Diagnostic Veterinary PathologyDiagnostic Veterinary Pathology

Maylee Peterson, CVT, and Dr. Donna Hertzke work in a large diagnostic laboratory, helping hundreds of veterinarians, animals, and owners every day.

A diagnostic veterinary pathologist will be critical in determining what is causing disease in these animals, and whether there is a risk to humans handling the animals or consuming the milk or meat.

Divisions of Diagnostic Divisions of Diagnostic Veterinary PathologyVeterinary Pathology

Clinical Pathology Cytology – analysis of cells in tissue

or body fluid Clinical chemistry – body fluid

analysis Hematology – blood cell analysis Microbiology – agent identification

Dr. Laura Andrews and Cindy Frey, MLT, discuss fluid analysis preparation.

Cytology slide: Cells from a lymph node cancer

Blood smear: Lymph node cancer cells in blood (leukemia)

Divisions continuedDivisions continued

Anatomic Pathology Necropsy (Autopsy) – gross (naked

eye) and microscopic examination of whole animals

Surgical Pathology – gross and microscopic examination of biopsies (tissue removed from living animals)

Horse with a melanoma of the eyelid

Microscopic melanoma

The tumor is removed by a veterinary clinician and submitted to a diagnostic laboratory. The diagnosis is made by the pathologist.

Training RequiredTraining Required

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent – 2 to 4 years

DVM or equivalent – 4 years Residency training or other advanced

training in veterinary pathology – 3 - 5 years

ACVP Board Certification in Anatomic and/or Clinical Pathology (achieved by passing an examination)

Dr. Betsy Aird and Dr. James Carpenter examine cytology slides together on a double headed training/consulting microscope.

Employment OpportunitiesEmployment Opportunities

Private diagnostic laboratory State or provincial diagnostic laboratory Academic institution – veterinary or

medical school Contract laboratory (laboratory for

assessing product safety) Zoo Other agency serving the needs of wildlife

and/or the environment

Veterinary diagnostic laboratories use state of the art equipment. Stan Krogman, MT, and CellDyn 5300

Diagnostic veterinary pathologists can work for zoos and wildlife agencies. They play an important role in protecting endangered species.

Rewards of Being a Diagnostic Rewards of Being a Diagnostic Veterinary PathologistVeterinary Pathologist

Your work is critical to quality veterinary care; you will be a key team player.

Your contributions will benefit a very large number of animals and humans every day.

You could be the first to recognize a new disease or public health hazard.

You will embark on a lifetime of learning and face exciting new challenges daily.

Veterinary pathologists discovered that the West Nile virus had invaded North America. Critical work was done at the Bronx Zoo.

Veterinary pathologists at Colorado State Diagnostic Lab are studying Chronic Wasting Disease in deer and elk, a disease that has spread to several states. The disease is caused by prions similar to those which cause Mad Cow Disease.

Rewards continuedRewards continued You can build on the vast knowledge you

acquired in veterinary school, becoming extremely knowledgeable in the diseases of numerous animal species.

Or you can specialize in one area of veterinary pathology (for example, diseases of fish, or diseases of the skin).

You can work in a large laboratory with many pathologists.

Or you can perform some or all of your duties at home.

Diagnose disease in all

species.

Or specialize. Dr. Sherman Jack is an expert in catfish pathology, of economic importance in southern Gulf states in the USA.

Work in a large diagnostic laboratory. The workload is shared and it is easy to consult with others before releasing the results.

Because Dr. Maron Calderwood Mays works for two veterinary diagnostic labs in different states, she does most of her work at home.

Diagnostic veterinary pathology is often a stepping stone to other career choices in veterinary pathology.

Academia

Industry

Government

Careers in AcademiaCareers in Academia

College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University

Careers in AcademiaCareers in Academia

Combinations of: Teaching,Research, Service

Careers in AcademiaCareers in Academia

Traditionally, all three areas Many positions now combine only

two areas Research and diagnostics, or Research and teaching, or Teaching and diagnostics

Or, only research

Training required for an academic Training required for an academic careercareer

DVM Pathology residency and ACVP boards PhD (recommended) (required if you

choose a research career) Post-doctoral training (recommended if

you choose a research career as a principal investigator)

Note: Post-DVM graduate students and post-docs are paid much better than traditional graduate students

Types of institutionsTypes of institutionsVeterinary schools, medical schools, research universities

Dr. Krista La Perle, a veterinary pathologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, and Rockefeller University, works on genetically engineered mice to identify genes involved with human diseases.

ResearchResearch

Pathology training teaches flexibility, broad approach to problem-solving, ability to learn new techniques and ways of thought

MolecularBiology

Toxicology

Histo-pathology

Physiology

InfectiousDiseases

Nutrition Fields that aren’t

inventedyet

ResearchResearch

Research by people with comparative pathology training includes a wide variety of fields: molecular biology, toxicology, infectious diseases, physiology

Principal investigator or collaborator

Funded by government or private grants

ResearchResearch

You can pick your own field of expertise and research

“Academia allows you to follow reason wherever it may lead to” - Dr. Patrick Caplazi

Dr. Peter Doherty, Nobel laureate Dr. Peter Doherty, Nobel laureate and veterinary pathologistand veterinary pathologist

Peter C. Doherty, BVSc, PhD, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee

A T killer cell (upper right) attaching to and sensing the antigens on a target cell. If the target cell carries the correct antigens fitting the receptor of this particular T cell, the "kiss of death" will follow: the target cell will be destroyed.

TeachingTeaching

Small group case-based problem solving

TeachingTeachingVeterinary students

Lectures, small groups (clinical rotations, case simulations), or one-on-one

Professor of the Year stresses love of medicine, love of life Monday, December 11, 2000

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER STAFF As a child, Steve Hines would crawl under houses to pluck out feral felines he heard crying for food. So it wasn't surprising that his love for animals led him to become a veterinarian. And when he was a doctoral student, he realized that solving actual problems, rather than answering multiple-choice questions, made it fun to learn how to treat sick animals….

Dr. Steve Hines, Professor of Pathology

TeachingTeaching

Pathology residents Small classes, lots of

one-on-one Graduate students

Research mentoring, small classes

Undergraduates Lectures, research

mentoringDr. Terry McElwainand Dr. Esther Trueblood

ServiceService Many universities are associated with state

diagnostic laboratories Diagnostic laboratories also serve veterinary

teaching hospitals Laboratory animals from the university research

community

Cryptosporidia in the intestineof a foal

RewardsRewards

Highly diverse and challenging work

“Academia offers a nice balance. Truly significant research that helps people and animals is the 20-year plan that makes my life meaningful. But I also need day-to-day immediate satisfaction--solving a case in the diagnostic lab or teaching a student.”

-Dr. Glenn Cantor

RewardsRewards

Teaching smart students is fun, keeps you constantly thinking, has a huge impact on young people’s lives

Service has short-term satisfactions and rewards – solving problems for real animal owners and practitioners

RewardsRewards

Research has long-term satisfactions and rewards – discovering something important!

Opportunity to be truly creative

It’s intellectually exhilarating to have smart colleagues who challenge one’s ideas and push for further accomplishments.

Academic environment can be very Academic environment can be very pleasantpleasant

Rafting on the Salmon River, near Washington State University

Lake Alice at the University of Florida. A good place to watch alligators and egrets or to go sailing or swimming.

Necropsy students show prowess with their knives by carving pumpkins

CareerCareer Opportunities Opportunities in Industry in Industry

Play a key role in discovery and development of new drugs for major health problems

Human diseases Animal diseases

CancerDiabetes

Malaria

HIV

Asthma

Alzheimer’s

Heartdisease

And more

CareerCareer Opportunities in Industry Opportunities in Industry

Type of businessType of business Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology

(focusing on treatment of humans) Small chemical entities, proteins,

vaccines, gene therapy products Regulated by FDA and its international

counterparts Chemical and agrochemical industry

Regulated by EPA

Veterinary pathologists participate in the short-term and long-term animal testing of drug development. The contribution by pathologists is key in the selection process and development of drug candidates.

Types of business (cont.)Types of business (cont.)

Animal health Medicines and vaccines for food and

companion animals Regulated by FDA

Food and consumer products Regulated by FDA

Contract Research Organizations (CROs) Provide service in all aspects of work for

industry

Dr Judith Saik, a pathologist working on the development of animal health products, at a research farm with animals that are on study there.

CareersCareers in Industry in Industry

Type of activitiesType of activities Safety assessment of compounds/products

Studies required by regulations Conducted under Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)

Investigative pathology Determination of pathogenesis in support of

studies Earlier and faster prediction of toxic effects Use of molecular biological tools Integration of gene and protein expression with

morphology and function

Laser capture microdissectionLaser capture microdissection

Danielle Diaz, BS is identifying areas of interest for microdissection of a tissue section to be used for RNA recovery.

Microdissected tissue

Hierarchical clustering ofgene expression

mRNA

RNA isolation

Microarray

CareerCareers in Industrys in Industry

Type of activities (cont.)Type of activities (cont.) Lead optimization

Assist in selection of best compound/product in a series, based on pathologic parameters

Research Characterize animal models of diseases

Including transgenics and knockouts Assess efficacy in animal models

Compound/product sponsorship Participate in multidisciplinary development teams

Luciferase-based non-invasive imaging and Luciferase-based non-invasive imaging and microscopic localization of metastatic cellsmicroscopic localization of metastatic cells in in oncology researchoncology research

Metastatic prostate cancer cells are demonstrated by imaging in knees and rib; microscopic section of rib.

CareersCareers in Industry in Industry

Species/specimens studiedSpecies/specimens studied Rodents

Mice (including transgenics, knockouts), rats Non-rodents

Dogs, non-human primates, mini pigs, rabbits, guinea pigs, horses, cattle, chickens, fish

In vitro systems Cultured specimens: cells, tissue slices,

organs Specimens from in vitro physiologic

experiments

Light microscopy and ultrastructure of liver slice culture

Crystalline and granular mitochondrial inclusions

C and cup-shaped mitochondria

CareersCareers in Industry in Industry

Clinical pathology Hematology, coagulation, clinical chemistry,

cytopathology, laboratory instrumentation and methods, and quality control/quality assurance

Seek out patterns and correlations between laboratory data in treated and non-treated groups

Technical familiarity with wide range of modern instrumentation, laboratory principles, and statistics

Dr Laurie O’Rourke and Jill Omerza, MT are reviewing dot density plots of peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Clinical pathology: flow cytometry for immunophenotyping

Careers Careers in Industryin Industry

Anatomic pathology Recognize changes on gross, light microscopy, and

ultrastructure Ancillary methods include immunohistochemistry,

in situ hybridization, laser applications (laser scanning microdissection, confocal microscopy), computerized morphometry

Participate in study design, study conduct, and data analysis

Paul Grosenstein, BS, EMT is working at the morphometry station using the KS400 system.

Immunohistochemical stains for B and T lymphocytes in spleen

Anatomic pathology - Transmission Electron Microscopy

Dr. Natasha Neef reviews ultrastructural images taken by a Zeiss electron microscope using the Soft Imaging System software.

CareersCareers in Industry in Industry

Studies requiring specialized expertiseStudies requiring specialized expertise

Reproductive toxicity Staging of spermatogenesis

Immunopathology Assessment of function/response Phenotyping cells

Neurotoxicity Detailed assessment of function and morphology

of central and peripheral nervous system

Plastic embedded, Toluidine blue stained sections of peripheral nerve from a control animal and an animal with neuropathy

Three-dimensional reconstruction of MK801-induced neuronal degeneration in rat brain (red); ventricles (light green)

Careers Careers in Industryin Industry

RewardsRewards Be a key participant in the development of

safe and innovative products that Meet unmet medical needs Increase agricultural productivity Have positive impact on customers’ business

and/or life Constant learning, new scientific and

intellectual opportunities

Rewards (cont.)Rewards (cont.) Compared to general veterinary

practice: Opportunity to manage or influence others without

being responsible for a small business Flexible hours provide a family friendly

environment Ample resources for scientific investigation Great diversity of workforce assures an enriching

environment Generous compensation package

Makes student loan and house payments more affordable

CareersCareers in Industry in IndustryWhat type of person excels in industry What type of person excels in industry

as a veterinary pathologist?as a veterinary pathologist?

Able to integrate data from other disciplines

Scientific creativity and curiosity Be a team player Good communication skills

With peers, associates, management, and regulators

Flexibility and ability to accept change

Duties overlap those of pathologists in diagnostic, academic, and industry settings

Function as an anatomical pathologist or clinical pathologist

Function may be specialized e.g., toxicologicpathologist ormolecular pathologist

Career Opportunities in GovernmentCareer Opportunities in Government

Careers in Government: TrainingCareers in Government: Training

DVM DVM with board certification in

anatomic or clinical pathology DVM and PhD During PhD studies, may obtain

training in toxicology or molecular biology which allows pathologist to become specialized

Dr. Dixon, DVM, PhD specializes in understanding the cellular and molecular causes of neoplasia in the female reproductive system at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

APOPTOSIS PROTEINS

MARKER OF CELL PROLIFERATION

Growth Factor Staining

Careers in GovernmentCareers in Government

US Army Veterinary Corps

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Careers in Government:Careers in Government:Employment OpportunitiesEmployment Opportunities

Diagnostic pathology support for all U.S. Government-owned animals

Pathology Opportunities in thePathology Opportunities in theU.S. Army Veterinary CorpsU.S. Army Veterinary Corps

Chemical, biological & radiological defenseresearch programs

Pathology Opportunities in the Pathology Opportunities in the U.S. Army Veterinary CorpsU.S. Army Veterinary Corps

Travel and Fun

Rewards of U.S. Army Rewards of U.S. Army Veterinary CorpsVeterinary Corps

Lancet 346: 1669-71, 1995

Jaax N, Jahrling P, Geisbert T, Geisbert J, Steele K, McKee K, Nagley D, Johnson E, Jaax G, Peters C.

Transmission of Ebola virus (Zaire strain) to uninfected control monkeys in a biocontainment laboratory

United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases,

Frederick, Maryland 21702-5011, USA.

Role of the Veterinary PathologistRole of the Veterinary Pathologistin an American Ebola Outbreakin an American Ebola Outbreak

National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

National Toxicology Program (NTP)

Major governmental agency that coordinates toxicology research and testing activities in cooperation with other governmental agencies

World leader in designing, conducting, and interpreting assays for toxicity and cancer

Provides information to the public about potentially toxic chemicals to safeguard public health and prevent unnecessary exposure to hazards

Careers in Government: NIEHS / NTP Pathologists work on issues relevant to the American publicEvaluate the safety of chemicals intended for human use

Chemicals used in commerce

Food additives

Drugs, cosmetic ingredients

Pesticides

Serve as pathologist responsible for gross and microscopic evaluation of laboratory animals

Serve as director of large multidisciplinary studies

Serve as researcher – principal investigator or collaborator

Teach undergraduate and graduate students

Careers in Government: ResponsibilitiesNIEHS / NIH

Retroviruses Cat leukemia virus (Bill Jarrett) Cat sarcoma virus

(Stan Snyder, Gordon Eilen) Bovine leukemia virus

(Janice Miller) Helicobacter species

(Ward, Haines, Anver) Helicobacter hepaticus

liver tumors

Role of the Veterinary Pathologist in Discovering Infectious Agents as aCause of Cancer

Contributions of a Veterinary Pathologist to a Nobel Prize: Kuru (in humans) vs Scrapie (in sheep)

Nobel Prize in Medicine 1976 for showing the infectious nature of kuru – to Carleton Gajdusek, MD

Carlton Gadjusek, Nobel Lecture, 1976:

“The clinical picture and histopathological findings of scrapie closely resemble those of kuru; this permitted Hadlow (1959) to suggest that both diseases might have similar etiologies.”

William Hadlow, DVM 1959 letter in Lancet:

“The natural history and general clinical aspects (and the neuropathological changes) of the two diseases are strikingly similar…..Thus, it might be profitable to examine the possibility of the experimental induction of kuru in a laboratory primate ”

Provide input into review of new molecular entities and new formulations for human and veterinary drugs, vaccines, devices

Role in food safety

Research the potential for cutting edge technologies and drugs (e.g. transgenic animals)

Help design studies for understanding drug mechanisms of action and / or toxicity

Participate in national and international initiatives for drug development (e.g. World Health Organization)

Careers in Government: Careers in Government: Responsibilities of FDAResponsibilities of FDA

Research at the National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency

The National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory is a collection of research stations across the country where experiments are conducted to study the potential adverse effects of chemicals and environmental contaminants on human health, ecosystems, and wildlife.

EPA: Opportunities exist to become a recognized expert in many relevant fields such as reproductive toxicology,

neurotoxicology, respiratory toxicology, immunology, and carcinogenesis.

Lysotracker Staining for Cell Death

Opportunity to serve the American public and be mentored by other pathologists

Opportunity to serve as national and international advisors

Opportunity to collaborate with colleagues in academia, industry, diagnostic labs without having to write grants

Opportunity to make significant impact on protecting human health

Careers in Government: Rewards

Careers in Veterinary Pathology Careers in Veterinary Pathology For more information:For more information:

American College of Veterinary Pathologists7600 Terrace Avenue, Suite 203, Middleton, WI 53562-3174608-833-8725 www.acvp.org

Society of Toxicologic Pathology1767 Business Center Drive, Suite 302, Reston, VA   20190703-438-7508 www.toxpath.org

American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians

P.O. Box 1770, Davis, CA 95617530-754-5727 aavld@email.com

This presentation was created by these individuals – This presentation was created by these individuals – with the help of many other veterinary pathologists….with the help of many other veterinary pathologists….

Dr. Maron Calderwood Mays

Dr. Judit Markovits

Dr. Glenn Cantor

Dr. Robert Sills