The College of Veterinary Medicine was proud to host President Martha Pollack on Tuesday, July 25, as she visited with students, faculty, and staff during her tour of the College grounds.

Pollack met with administrative and staff leadership, and took a hard-hat tour of the capital expansion, viewing the newly constructed spaces that will greet students this coming fall. 

Additionally, she met with College education leadership and students about the breadth of learning programs, and viewed a demonstration of the canine medical simulator RoboJerry at the Tetlow and Roy Park Innovation Laboratory with Dr. Daniel Fletcher. “It was great to visit with President Pollack and share a little about the educational program here, including the inspiring stories of several of our stellar students,” he says. “I think we gave her a nice introduction to the innovative educational programs here at the veterinary college.”

Pollack next visited the labs of Dr. Paula Cohen and Dr. Richard Cerione, where the faculty and trainees described their current research projects. Pollack had a chance to hear about Cohen’s Gates Foundation–funded project—which investigates blocking meiosis in sperm as a novel form of contraception—and about the Cerione lab’s work in using cellular particles known as extracellular vesicles to turn normal cells into stem cells.

Next on the visit was the Cornell University Hospital for Animals (CUHA), where CUHA Director Dr. Meg Thompson led Pollack, a pet owner herself, on a behind-the-scenes tour.  Pollack viewed the state-of-the-art facilities and equipment belonging to the CUHA community practice service, the intensive care unit, and radiology service (including a look at a horse receiving a CT scan), and finished the day with a walk-through of the Nemo Farm Animal Hospital.  

“It was a pleasure and privilege to show President Pollack a snapshot of what we do here at the College,” says Warnick. “I was incredibly proud of our community who gave her an outstanding and informative welcome. I’m hopeful that President Pollack came away from that visit with an excellent understanding of the breadth and depth of what our College has to offer, and our connections to other parts of the university.”