ACVIM celebrates award-winning 2026 resident research abstracts

One veterinary medicine resident investigated a minimally invasive technique for feline bladder wall biopsy. Another compared the effects of 2 drugs on canine heart health. A third resident explored clinical and microbial alterations with long-distance equine transport.

These investigators were among 15 residents recognized by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) for their research abstracts on Friday, June 12, 2026. Winners of the Resident Research Abstract Award were honored at a special luncheon celebrating the 2026 ACVIM Forum in Seattle, Washington, which recognized veterinary professionals at various career stages for a wide range of accomplishments.

The Resident Research Abstract Award, sponsored by the Purina Institute, aims to recognize the best resident research abstracts for eligible ACVIM candidates, according to the organization. The 15 award winners were selected in various specialty categories. They each receive a $1500 cash prize as well as $1500 in travel support to attend the 2027 ACVIM Forum in Montreal, Canada.²

Jason Gagné, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition), director of external relations for the Purina Institute, announced each of the 15 resident research abstract winners individually as he called them up to the stage. All the winners in attendance then shared a celebratory moment on stage and posed for photographs as a group.

The 2026 Resident Research Abstract Award winners are as follows¹:

• Cardiology: Todd Sumerfield, DVM—University of Illinois; “Feasibility of Blood Speckle Imaging for Visualization of Left Ventricular Diastolic Vortices in Dogs”
• Cardiology: Vanessa Silvia, DVM—The Ohio State University; “Effects of Zenalpha vs Dexmedetomidine on Blood Pressure, Electrocardiogram and Echocardiography in Healthy Dogs”
• Large Animal Internal Medicine (Equine): Ananya Mahalingam-Dhingra, DVM—Tufts University; “Clinical and Microbial Alterations in Performance Horses Undergoing Long-Distance Transport”

• Large Animal Internal Medicine (Equine): Virginia Logue, DVM, MS—New Bolton Center; “Expanding Geographic Recognition of Neorickettsia findlayensis in the United States”
• Large Animal Internal Medicine (Food Animal): Elizabeth Alvey, DVM—Oregon State University; “Assessment of an Immunocrit Method to Detect Failure of Passive Transfer in Crias”
• Neurology: Allison DuPont, DVM—University of Missouri; “Dysphagia Occurs in Dogs With Cervical Spinal Cord Injury”
• Neurology: Alejandra Mondino, DVM, PhD—North Carolina State University; “Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of Split and Crushed Levetiracetam Extended-Release Tablets in Dogs”
• Nutrition: Ann Gaier, DVM—North Carolina State University; “Large Gastric Residual Volumes Do Not Increase Risk of Regurgitation, Aspiration Pneumonia in Brachycephalic Dogs”
• Oncology: Samantha Beeson, DVM, PhD—Colorado State University; “Single-Institution Analysis of Adverse Events Associated With Chemotherapy in Dogs”
• Small Animal Internal Medicine: Sophie Karchemskiy, DVM—Tufts University; “Multicenter Investigation of the Effectiveness of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange for Canine Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia”
• Small Animal Internal Medicine: Logan Shirley, DVM—University of Florida; “Frequency of Hypoglycemia When Meal Omission Occurs in Diabetic Dogs Treated With Once Daily Insulin Degludec”
• Small Animal Internal Medicine: Hannah McCormack, DVM—University of Tennessee; “Effect of a Prokinetic Dose of Erythromycin on the Canine Fecal Microbiome and Bile Acids”
• Small Animal Internal Medicine: Sarena Krojanker, DVM—Iowa State University; “Assessment of Point-of-Care Quantitative Serum CPL for Diagnosis of Acute Pancreatitis in Dogs”
• Small Animal Internal Medicine: Zackery Bieberly, DVM—Iowa State University; “Characteristics of Multicavitary Effusions in Dogs”
• Small Animal Internal Medicine: Caroline Bondi, BVMS—Tufts University; “Minimally Invasive Ultrasound-Guided Technique for Bladder Wall Biopsy in Female Cats”

References

1. ACVIM awards luncheon. Presented at: 2026 ACVIM Forum; June 11-13, 2026; Seattle, WA.
2. Resident Research Abstract Awards. American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Accessed June 12, 2026. https://www.acvim.org/acvim-forum-2026/speaker-resources