The Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) conferred graduate degrees at its Diploma Distribution Ceremony for the Graduate Academic Studies Program on December 14.

Stephen D. Gaunt, DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl. ACVP, professor of veterinary clinical pathology, presided over the ceremony. Gaunt represented both Interim Associate Dean for Research and Advanced Studies James E. Miller, DVM, MPVM, PhD and the LSU Graduate School. Several equine-related theses were presented, and included:

• David Beehan, MVB, Dipl. ACT (Athgarvan, Co. Kildare, Ireland), received his MS degree from the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. His thesis was entitled, "The Effects of Iodixanol Present during Equine Semen Cryopreservation," and his major advisor was assistant professor Sara Lyle, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACT. Beehan is currently an instructor of theriogenology at the LSU SVM and is pursuing his PhD.
   
• Shiliang Anthony Liu, MS (Qigndao, China), received his MS degree from the Department of Pathobiological Sciences. His thesis was entitled, "Immunization of West Nile Recombinant Envelope Domain III with Equine CD40 Ligand Protein Vaccine Induced Specific Immune Response in Rabbits and Horses," and his major advisor was Professor of Veterinary Virology Konstantin G. Kousoulas, PhD. Liu is now pursuing his PhD at the LSU SVM.

Also recognized at the Diploma Distribution Ceremony were those graduates who received degrees in August 2012. Equine-related theses from this group included:

• Myra Durham, DVM (Walnut Cove, N.C.), received her MS degree from the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. Her thesis was entitled, "Evaluation of Plasma Sprayed Hydroxyapatite Coated AO Cortical Screws in Equine Third Metacarpal Bone," and her major advisor was Assistant Professor of Equine Surgery Laura Riggs, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS. Durham is a clinic instructor at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine and is currently studying for the College of Veterinary Surgeons’ board examination.
   
• Florence Polle, DVM (Toulouse, France), received her MS degree from the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. Her thesis was entitled, "Role of Intraocular Leptospira Infections in the Pathogenesis of Equine Recurrent Uveitis in the Southern United States," and her major advisor was Assistant Professor of Veterinary Ophthalmology Renee Carter, DVM, Dipl. ACVO. Polle will start a position with a private practice in Normandy, France, in 2013

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