The Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine has named Sarah Davies the Outstanding Master's Student and Naveen Surendran the Outstanding Doctoral Student for the 2009-2010 academic year.

2009-10 Outstanding Masters Student



Sarah Davies, of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia, is a master’s student in the biomedical and veterinary sciences graduate program at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.

Davies earned her Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree from the University of Sydney in Sydney, Australia.

As a graduate student, Davies has excelled academically while participating in a variety of professional activities. She worked as a small animal intern for two years before coming to the college to work as a veterinary radiology resident while pursuing her master’s degree. She received her Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiology specialty certification in 2009.

While not working for the college, Davies participates in a variety of student activities as well. She was the resident representative for the Graduate Student Assembly at Virginia Tech and the student representative for the Teaching and Learning Committee for the faculty of veterinary science at the University of Sydney.

Her awards include the Veterinary Imaging Associates prize for proficiency in veterinary radiology, first place award at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Annual Research Symposium for a master’s student poster session, and first place award at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Annual Research Symposium for a master’s student presentation.

2009-10 Outstanding Ph.D. Student



Naveen Surendran, Thrissur, Kerala, India, is a Ph.D. student in the biomedical and veterinary sciences graduate program at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.

Surendran earned his Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry degree from Kerala Agricultural University in Kerala, India.

After receiving his bachelor’s degree, Surendran interned as a research assistant in the Center for Advanced Studies in Animal Genetics and Breeding at the Kerala Agricultural University.

Among his numerous research awards, Surendran received a first place award at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Annual Research Symposium for his oral presentation entitled, ‘Enhanced ability of Brucella abortus rough vaccine strains to induce innate immunity in vitro and in vivo in a murine model’. He also received a first place award at the Virginia Tech Annual Research Symposium for his oral presentation entitled, ‘The differential ability of Brucella abortus rough vaccine strains to induce innate immunity in vitro and in vivo in a mouse model.’

Surendran also received a Graduate Research and Development Program grant for his proposal entitiled, ‘Effect of intranasal priming of Brucella abortus on cell mediated immune response.’

While excelling academically, Surendran is also active in extracurricular activities. He served as the vice president of the Biomedical and Veterinary Science Graduate Student Association from 2006-2007. He remains an active member of the organization while completing his doctorate.

Students are selected for service to the university community, membership and involvement in professional societies, and progress in research.

Written by Krystyne Hayes. Hayes, of Front Royal, Va., is a senior majoring in communication in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

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