Michelle L. Delco, DVM, PhD, DACVS
Department of Clinical Sciences
Diplomate - American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Harry M. Zweig Assistant Research Professor
Department of Clinical Sciences
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
930 Campus Rd., Box 32
Ithaca, NY 14853
Email: mld12@cornell.edu
Research/Clinical Interest
Dr. Delco's research aims to understand how joint injury leads to arthritis in horses and humans. Specifically, she is investigating mitochondria, the energy-producing centers of the cell, as a link between cartilage trauma and osteoarthritis. The goal of her research is to develop new strategies to improve healing and prevent irreversible joint disease and chronic pain in equine and human athletes who suffer orthopedic injuries.
Education
- 2016 Cornell University, PhD in Comparative Biomedical Sciences
- 2003 - 2006 University of California, Davis, Residency in Equine Surgery
- 2002 - 2003 Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Internship in Equine Medicine and Surgery
- 1998 - 2002 Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, DVM
- 1994 - 1998 Cornell University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, BS (Animal Science)
Biography/Professional Experience
Dr. Delco received her DVM from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. After completing a residency in Equine Surgery at the University of California, Davis to become board certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, Dr. Delco served as an Assistant Professor of Equine Surgery at Kansas State University. In 2008, she joined a private equine referral practice near Seattle, WA, where her primary focus was minimally invasive surgery and the diagnosis and treatment of complicated sports injuries in equine athletes. In 2012 Dr. Delco was awarded a National Institutes of Health Clinical Scientist Career Development Award (K08) research fellowship. After completing her PhD, Dr. Delco was appointed Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. She also currently serves as a Large Animal Staff Surgeon for the Cornell University Hospital for Animals in Ithaca, NY and an Equine Surgeon at Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists in Elmont, NY.
Publications
Awards and Honors
- 2016 Young Investigator Award, Arnold and Madalene Penner 5th Annual Musculoskeletal Repair and Regeneration Symposium, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
- 2015 Coleman Graduate Leadership Program, Cornell University
- 2015 Dante and Sharon Ferrini Award for Veterinary Thoroughbred Horse Racing Studies, Inaugural Recipient
- 2007 Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons (Large Animal)
- 2004 Center for Equine Health Research Award, University of California, Davis
- 2004 John Hughes Memorial Award, University of California, Davis
- 2002 A. Gorgon Danks Large Animal Surgery Award, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Professional/Academic Affiliations
- 2017 – present International Cartilage Repair Society
- 2015 – present Osteoarthritis Research Society International, member
- 2014 – present Orthopedic Research Society, member
- 2013 – present American Veterinary Medical Association
- 2007 – present American College of Veterinary Surgeons (Large Animal)
- 2003 - 2012 USDA/APHIS National Veterinary Accreditation Category II Veterinarian