Yukitaka Kani, who first arrived at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM) as an exchange student in 2011, has joined the veterinary college as an assistant professor of veterinary anatomy.

His journey from student to faculty member highlights the success of the college's international partnerships and promises to enhance its anatomy education for future veterinarians.

A global journey in veterinary medicine

Kani was born in Chile. He spent his early years in Japan and Morocco before returning to Chile to pursue his veterinary career. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master of Science degrees from the Universidad Austral de Chile.

Virginia Tech has had a longstanding relationship with the Universidad Austral de Chile, initiated by the veterinary college, and colleges across the university have participated in exchange programs.

In an annual exchange, students from the veterinary college and the Universidad Austral de Chile explore hands-on opportunities. The collaboration between the two universities began in 1996 with a veterinary faculty exchange facilitated by Professor Emeritus Gerhardt Schurig. Schurig served as the college's dean from 2004 to 2013. Working with Virginia Tech Outreach and International Affairs, Schurig expanded the program universitywide.

"My first experience at Virginia Tech was as an exchange student in 2011," Kani said. "That three-month program opened my eyes to the possibilities in veterinary education and research. I knew then that I wanted to return someday."

That opportunity came when Kani pursued his Ph.D. in biomedical and veterinary sciences at VMCVM, which he completed in 2022. Now, he returns to Blacksburg as a faculty member, ready to inspire the next generation of veterinarians.

Innovative approaches to anatomy education

Kani's research interests reflect his commitment to advancing veterinary education, including innovation in teaching veterinary anatomy, small animal radiology ultrasound, and exotic animal anatomy.

"Anatomy is often seen as a subject heavy on memorization," Kani said. "My goal is to make it more engaging and relevant to clinical practice. I want students to see the connections between what they learn in the lab and how it applies to patient care."

Kani's approach aligns with the veterinary college's integrative curriculum. His experience in both anatomy and diagnostic imaging will help students bridge the gap between basic sciences and clinical applications.

A rich background in teaching and practice

Prior to joining VMCVM, Kani held teaching positions at Santo Tomás University in Chile and his alma mater, Universidad Austral de Chile. His experience in veterinary anatomy, radiology, and semiology provides a solid foundation for his role at VMCVM.

Kani's practical experience extends beyond the classroom. He has worked in diagnostic imaging and completed a small animal medicine residency at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Universidad Austral de Chile. His volunteer work at a wildlife rehabilitation center also reflects his passion for exotic animal medicine.

"Working with wildlife gave me a unique perspective on comparative anatomy," Kani said. "It's fascinating to see how evolutionary adaptations manifest in different species, and I'm excited to bring that enthusiasm to our students."

Looking ahead

Kani will teach first- and second-year veterinary students, focusing on normal animal anatomy and the anatomy of various body systems. He hopes to incorporate his expertise in radiology and ultrasound to help students visualize anatomical structures in living animals.

As he prepares for his first semester of teaching at the veterinary college, he is excited about the opportunities ahead.

"I'm looking forward to working with our talented students and collaborating with my colleagues on our anatomy curriculum," he said. "There's so much potential for integrating technology and hands-on learning to make anatomy even more accessible and relevant."

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