The Baker Institute for Animal Health

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The Baker Institute for Animal Health

The Baker Institute for Animal Health has had a special relationship with animal lovers ever since its founding in 1950.

Dedicated to the study of veterinary infectious diseases, immunology, cancer, reproduction, genomics, and epigenomics to improve the lives of both animals & humans. Our faculty, staff, and trainees strive to build on the success of the past to become a leading center for basic research in animal health. We seeks to foster excellence and address real-world problems by focusing attention on a strate

gic selection of cutting-edge fields of research. We also seeks to be a leader in training scientists and veterinarian scientists in state-of-the-art methods in animal health research. By applying innovative and collaborative approaches in research and training, the Baker Institute strives every day to improve the lives of animals and humans alike. The advances and discoveries made at the Institute would not have been possible without help from supporters like you. Visit our website to read more about the research and the researchers that your donations go to support, helping our scientists achieve landmark discoveries that make a real difference in the lives of animals.

06/16/2026

We're incredibly proud to share that our student Franklin made such an impressive impact at the 39th International Conference on Antiviral Research (ICAR) in Prague that an antiviral company created a summer internship position specifically for him! 🎉

Last month at ICAR, Franklin joined the world's most prestigious gathering of antiviral research leaders.

✨ ICAR 2026 highlights:
• Led by Cornell's own Dr. Luis M. Schang, president of International Society for Antiviral Research (ISAR)
• Cutting-edge AI-driven drug discovery discussions
• Award recipient Sir Peter Karel, Baron Piot - co-discoverer of Ebola and key HIV researcher
• Blend of discovery science and clinical application

Franklin's success exemplifies what ICAR stands for, supporting the next generation of scientists who will accelerate the path from lab discovery to life-saving treatments for everyone.

Learn more about research at the Baker Institute: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/baker-institute-animal-health/research-baker-institute

06/11/2026

We're hiring!🧬

The Baker Institute for Animal Health is seeking a distinguished scientist for the prestigious Judy Wilpon Endowed Chair in Cancer Biology at the Associate or Full Professor level.

This role offers the opportunity to advance cancer biology research with access to cutting-edge facilities and collaborative networks spanning veterinary medicine, biomedical engineering, and computational biology.

Interested in driving transformative advances in human and animal health?

Apply today: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/32133

06/09/2026

Today on World Pet Memorial Day we lovingly remember the cherished pets who live on in our hearts. The bond we share with our animal companions is profound, and when they leave us, the grief can feel overwhelming. You are not alone in this pain every pawprint left behind represents a life deeply loved and a loss deeply felt. 🐾❤️

In times of grief, many find comfort in honoring their beloved pet's memory through the Baker Institute's Memorial Giving Programs. Whether you're a veterinarian wanting to support a grieving client or a pet parent seeking to create meaning from loss, these gifts become your companion's legacy and beacons of hope for a better future for animal health. 🩺🌎

Learn more: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/baker-institute-animal-health/giving-baker-institute/memorial-giving-programs

06/05/2026

We're thrilled to celebrate Mackenzie, who just graduated with Distinction in Research in Biological Sciences (Cell & Molecular Biology)! 🧬🔬🎓

As a trainee in Luis M Schang's lab, she conducted groundbreaking research on herpes simplex virus dynamics and host cell protein PML interactions. Her
Honors Thesis revealed how PML degrades and re-accumulates during infection - findings that pave the way for future discoveries!

Balancing rigorous research with her role on Cornell Women's Lacrosse team, Mackenzie truly embodies the scholar-athlete spirit. 🥍

Congratulations and welcome to the Cornell alumni family! 🐻❤️

06/01/2026

We're excited to announce that our very own Dr. Sarah Caddy has been honored with the prestigious 2025 Research Mentorship Award from the Veterinary Investigator Leadership Program (VILP). She is being recognized for exemplary mentorship of veterinary students in The Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Scholars Research Program! 🎉 Thank you Dr. Caddy for creating a lasting impact in veterinary science education.🐾

Learn more about the VLIP program here: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/education/other-educational-opportunities/veterinary-investigation-leadership-program-vilp

05/29/2026

A study recently published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine highlights how collaboration between clinicians and geneticists can lead to discoveries that benefit both animals and people.
When a young Black and Tan Coonhound experienced severe, unexplained bleeding, veterinarians and scientists at Cornell University worked together to uncover the cause. Their investigation led to the identification of an extremely rare inherited bleeding disorder, only the second case ever reported in dogs and the first in a companion animal to be genetically characterized.

The project combined the clinical expertise of Dr. Marjory Brooks and Dr. Robert Groggs in the College of Veterinary Medicine with research led by co-first authors Leo Pieples, former undergraduate researcher, and Shawna Cook, a postdoctoral researcher, in Dr. Jacquelyn Evans' lab at the Baker Institute for Animal Health. Using advanced diagnostic testing and whole genome sequencing, the team identified a previously unknown genetic variant responsible for the disorder.

This kind of translational research helps improve diagnosis and future screening tools for dogs while also deepening our understanding of similar rare bleeding disorders in humans.

Read the full article here: https://tinyurl.com/canine-research

05/27/2026

Huge thanks to Kyle's Legacy Inc. for their incredible support of the Baker Institute for Animal Health, to Tina Visalli and all the volunteers, and to every attendee, donor, sponsor, and pup who made this day unforgettable. Your generosity and community spirit are making a real difference. 🙏✨

05/19/2026

Long before modern medicine, discoveries in horse health helped shape our understanding of human development. In honor of the American Triple Crown races, the National Library of Medicine’s exhibition, The Horse: A Mirror of Man, highlights this remarkable connection between equine and human medicine. Today, that legacy continues at the Baker Institute, where Dr. Mandi de Mestre’s research in early equine development is advancing knowledge that benefits both animal and human health.

Read more about Dr. de Mestre’s work here: https://tinyurl.com/BakerInstituteEquine

05/13/2026

🥳 Please join us in celebrating Alexis Smrekar, who was honored today at the 2026 Graduate Excellence and Impact Awards Celebration with the Exemplary Leadership & Service Award: Early Career Student!

This award recognizes graduate students whose leadership, service, and commitment to community create lasting impact beyond the classroom and laboratory, and Alexis exemplifies that spirit in every way.

In the de Mestre lab at the Baker Institute, Alexis studies early pregnancy resilience in horses, helping advance understanding of the earliest stages of equine development. Beyond her research, she serves as the Graduate Coordinator for Academic Success & Belonging with the Cornell Graduate School, supporting and connecting fellow students across campus.

Reflecting on the recognition, Alexis shared:
“It continues to ground my experience as a PhD student in the reminder to move through the world with care and intention. I am deeply grateful to be recognized with this award, and to work alongside such incredible student leaders.”

We’re proud to celebrate Alexis for her leadership, scientific contributions, and dedication to others.

🎉 Congratulations, Alexis! 😃

Address

235 Hungerford Hill Road
Ithaca, NY
14853

Telephone

+16072565600

Website

https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/baker-institute

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