Veterinary student uses fellowship to research chronic pneumonia in sheep
In the rolling hills of Southwest Virginia, Emilia Jones finds herself far from her Chicago roots, drawing blood samples from sheep and diving deep into the world of veterinary research.
The rising second-year veterinary student's journey from urban vegetarian to passionate food animal researcher is as unexpected as it is inspiring.
Jones is among 15 students selected for the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research Veterinary Student Research Fellowship. The program addresses critical challenges facing the agriculture industry and global food security.
Seizing research opportunities
As a veterinary student at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Jones was eager to gain research experience. When she did not secure a spot in the competitive summer research program, she refused to give up.
Her persistence paid off when she discovered the Veterinary Student Research Fellowship opportunity. With a tight deadline looming, Jones raced to put together a proposal, drawing on her previous experience of doing health checks with her own sheep.
Jones focused on ovine progressive pneumonia, a disease that needs to be more widely studied because of its slow, insidious nature.
Ovine progressive pneumonia is a chronic disease that affects sheep and is a slow progression and affects multiple systems in the body. The signs typically appear in sheep older than 2 and include progressive weight loss despite a normal appetite, labored breathing, and respiratory distress.
Ovine progressive pneumonia is considered one of the most economically significant chronic diseases in sheep production worldwide for its impact on animal health and productivity and despite its prevalence, many sheep operations lack effective control. It requires diligent management practices to control its spread and mitigate its impact on sheep flocks.
Learning the research ropes
Sierra R. Guynn, clinical assistant professor of production management medicine and Jones's research mentor, was impressed by her determination.
"Emilia came in with this incredible drive," Guynn said. "She didn't have research experience but had the passion to learn."
The learning curve was steep. Jones had to navigate the complexities of grant applications, Institutional Review Board protocols, and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approvals. "Dr. Guynn has been my guiding light," Jones said. "From paperwork to blood draws, she's been there every step of the way."
Boots on the ground
Jones's research involves visiting sheep farms across Southwest Virginia, collecting blood samples and surveying farmers about their management practices. Over a year, she aims to test 306 sheep from 30 to 35 farms.
The hands-on nature of the research has provided valuable experiences, but it is challenging. Jones has had to quickly learn the intricacies of conducting field research, from proper blood sample handling to operating unfamiliar equipment.
Despite these hurdles, Jones remains enthusiastic about the learning process. She finds working with producers and collecting samples relatively straightforward but acknowledges that the biggest challenge lies in learning everything else as she goes along.
Impacting animal health and farmer education
Guynn sees the project's potential to make a real difference, particularly in its alignment with the college's focus on food animal research in Virginia. The research has both economic implications and a role in improving biosecurity practices.
Beyond studying ovine progressive pneumonia, the project provides an opportunity to educate farmers about broader animal health issues.
"We're not just collecting data," Guynn said. "We're having conversations about vaccinations, management practices, and overall flock health."
A global perspective
The 2024 Veterinary Student Research Fellows represents a diverse group of students from institutions across the United States and internationally. The year-long fellowship culminates with the fellows presenting their research at the annual Veterinary Scholars Symposium, a national event that brings together hundreds of veterinary students, researchers, and leaders in the field.
Looking to the future
For Jones, this research fellowship is just the beginning.
“Whether it's mixed animal practice, regulatory medicine, or infectious disease work, I am excited to see where this journey takes me. The One Health initiative really resonates with me because it shows how everything is connected – human health, animal health, and the environment. It's not just about treating individual animals,” she said.
As she balances her veterinary studies with this ambitious research project, Jones remains driven by her curiosity and passion for learning. She credits her experiences as an LGBTQ individual and a mother to have further inspired and motivated her pursuit of success in the veterinary field.
Jones is quick to emphasize that her achievements are not hers alone. "I couldn't have achieved this without the support of my VMCVM [veterinary college] friends and encouraging faculty," she said. "Dr. Guynn, in particular, has been extremely supportive and given me so much of her time. She has helped me with every step of the process, from paperwork to practical skills."
