Veterinary college researcher Kylene Kehn-Hall receives 2024 Zoetis Research Excellence Award
Ask Kylene Kehn-Hall about receiving the 2024 Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence, and she'll tell you it's about more than personal recognition — it's about advancing science that matters.
"The award prompted me to reflect on how our work impacts veterinary medicine," said Kehn-Hall, professor of virology at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. "While we focus on basic science, we're laying the foundation for tomorrow's treatments and vaccines."
The Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence annually recognizes one outstanding researcher at each U.S. veterinary college who has significantly contributed to veterinary medicine. The award aims to foster innovative research that advances the scientific standing of the veterinary profession.
Kehn-Hall's lab is revolutionizing the study of dangerous viruses, backed by funding from the National Institutes of Health and Department of Defense. Kehn-Hall's lab uses artificial intelligence to unlock the secrets of hemorrhagic fever viruses, starting with Rift Valley fever virus, a disease that threatens both livestock and human health.
But the lab’s recent breakthroughs truly showcase its impact. Ph.D. student Kaylee Petraccione led groundbreaking research on how viruses interact with host cells, publishing findings that could reshape our understanding of viral diseases. Meanwhile, the team is discovering potential new uses for existing Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs — a strategy that could slash treatment development time by a decade.
"When we work with FDA-approved drugs, we're building on years of established research," Kehn-Hall said. "We already know they're safe at certain doses, and we understand how they work in the body."
Behind every discovery stands a dedicated team of young scientists. Kehn-Hall's lab bustles with seven Ph.D. students — including one completing a veterinary pathology residency — plus an undergraduate researcher, two technicians, and two research assistant professors.
"Mentoring is the heart of what we do," Kehn-Hall said. "Watching students grow into skilled researchers, seeing them make discoveries that could change lives — that's what drives our lab forward."
One current project could transform how we treat virus-induced neurological conditions. The lab's latest research focuses on Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, a pathogen affecting both animals and humans.
The team's groundbreaking work, led by Morgen VanderGiessen, Ph.D. student, and Caitlin Woodson, research assistant professor, and in collaboration with Michelle Theus and Hehuang Xie in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathology, is advancing our understanding of long-term neurological impacts while developing protective treatments.
"We're looking beyond basic survival," Kehn-Hall said. "Our goal is to develop treatments that protect against long-term neurological complications and improve quality of life for those affected by these viruses."
For Kehn-Hall, the Zoetis award validates her team's collaborative approach. "This recognition elevates our entire lab's work," she says. "It shows that our research matters — not just to the scientific community, but to the future of both veterinary and human medicine."
