CSU Animal Cancer Center

03/05/2026

It's a MATCH! ❤️ ⚕️

This week, the Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program (VIRMP) announced the new class of House Officers coming to CSU. We're thrilled for the future veterinary oncologists who will train in oncology at the FACC.

Our new trainees include –

⚕️ Medical Oncology Residencies – Drs. Katie Larsen, Shannon O'Day, and Brianna Jacobs

⚕️ Radiation Oncology Residency – Dr. Efstathia Palyvou

⚕️ Surgical Oncology Fellowships – Drs. Carma Horwood and Erin Smith

⚕️ Medical Oncology Specialty Internship – Dr. Claudia Odiot

⚕️ Clinical Trials Internship – Dr. Mariela Aponte Hernandez

Congrats to all! We can't wait to train the next generation of cancer fighters.

03/04/2026

Kudos, Dr. MacNeill! 🏆️

Six CSU-led projects, including one from FACC member, Dr. Amy MacNeill's lab, secure state funding to move high-potential innovations toward market.

MacNeill's project includes studying a new treatment for soft tissue sarcomas in dogs – an oncolytic virus designed to target cancer cells without damaging healthy cells.

Read more about the project here:

From bioscience to energy and natural resources, Colorado has identified advanced industries as key drivers of long-term economic growth. The Advanced Industries Proof of Concept (AI POC) Grant Program is one of the state’s primary tools for strengthening those sectors.

03/03/2026

Happy Clinical Trials Tuesday! Our clinical trial for dogs that have recently been diagnosed with a tumor called hemangiosarcoma of the spleen is still enrolling patients. This trial seeks to stimulate the patient’s own immune system to "Scout Out" and kill the cancer cells. All dogs will receive standard of care chemotherapy and will be randomized to receive either a novel anti-cancer vaccine or control vaccine. More information is available about this study on our website: https://www.csuanimalcancercenter.org/clinical-trial/soch-scout-out-hemangiosarcoma-study/

This canine clinical trial for dogs with Hemangiosarcoma assess the safety and effectiveness of a specially designed vaccine.

03/02/2026

Cover-Worthy! 💚

Congrats to our very own Dr. Christine Hardy for her artwork gracing the cover of the March Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association issue.

“Phoenix Bison Skull” was created in 2024. The artwork featured on this cover was inspired by the Laramie Foothills Bison Conservation Herd in Northern Colorado.

The symbolism drawn from Native American folklore—including the Thunderbird and Phoenix—reflects themes of protection, strength, and renewal that parallel this conservation effort.

See more of her work here: www.christinehardyart.com

02/28/2026

ASPET Committee Officer in the House! 🔬

Congrats to Dr. Duval for being a newly elected Committee Officer for the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET), representing the Division for Cancer Pharmacology. Dawn is the Secretary/Treasurer-Elect.

ASPET is a leading research journal in the field of pharmacology.

Read more here: https://www.aspet.org/aspet/about-us/aspet-council/elections/2026-aspet-election-results

Way to go, Dawn!

02/27/2026

It was a beary good day! 🐻💞

We're so proud of our surgical oncologist, Dr. Giovanni Tremolada, and fellow Dr. Bella Hildebrandt, for helping take care of Emmett at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo!

02/24/2026

Happy Clinical Trials Tuesday! Colorado State University is excited to be taking part in a fully funded clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of a novel investigational product for the treatment of oral melanoma in dogs. For more information on the study, visit our website! https://www.csuanimalcancercenter.org/oral-melanoma-study-in-dogs/

Oral Melanoma Study in Dogs Patient Disease: Canine Oral Melanoma Study Name: Oral Melanoma Study in Dogs Primary Eligibility Criteria: Weighs at least 3 kg (6.6 lbs) Diagnosis of Stage III oral melanoma (not confined to lip) At least one measurable lesion with a longest diameter of ≥ 10 mm (≥ 1...

02/23/2026

Global Collaborations 🔬 🌎️

Meet Dr. Gabriel Carra! He is a visiting scholar, working in Dr. Cawley's Cancer Plasticity and Phenotypic Modeling Lab. He'll be here for six months, working on hemangiosarcoma projects in the lab.

Gabriel Carra attended veterinary school at São Paulo State University (UNESP). He then completed a residency in small animal surgery and subsequently earned a master’s degree in veterinary surgery at UNESP.

He is currently pursuing a PhD in veterinary sciences focused on prognostic oncological factors of canine splenic hemangiosarcoma.

We're thankful to have his passion and expertise here at the FACC.

02/21/2026

Hope for osteo! 🦴 🔬

We’re so proud to see our own Dr. Dan Regan, principal investigator at the Flint Animal Cancer Center’s Investigational Pathology Lab and member of CSU Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology, featured in the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Trends magazine!

Dr. Regan’s groundbreaking work on osteosarcoma research was highlighted in the article. His work is aimed at slowing or preventing metastatic bone cancer in dogs and people.

Read the full article here:
👉

Research from CSU's Flint Animal Cancer Center is investigating how existing drugs can improve outcomes for osteosarcoma patients.

02/20/2026

Going for Gold (and Treats) 🥇 🏆️

At the Flint Animal Cancer Center, our patients are proving that cancer picked the wrong pets!

Between treatments, our four-legged fighters took gold in so many events. They’re not just battling cancer… they’re out here collecting wins (and maybe a few extra snuggles). 💛

Now that’s what we call champions!

02/17/2026

Happy Clinical Trials Tuesday! A new study recently opened for dogs with bone cancer that are candidates for limb sparing surgery. This study is evaluating the feasibility of using a novel 3D-printed implant that the body can replace with its own bone. More details about the study are on our website: https://www.csuanimalcancercenter.org/clinical-trial/3d-printed-implant-that-replaces-bone-for-limb-sparing-in-giant-breed-dogs-with-a-primary-bone-tumor/

This Limb Spare Surgery for Dogs clinical trial evaluates the use of a personalized 3D-printed implant in dogs with osteosarcoma.

02/14/2026

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
We’re serious about curing cancer—
And paws-itively grateful for YOU! ❤️🐾

Happy Valentine's Day! 🌹