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.

08/18/2026

Meet a second-year Ph.D., Alexis Smrekar, candidate in the Molecular and Cellular Medicine concentration, working in the de Mestre Lab.

Smrekar's current work aims to understand how endometrial natural killer cells develop in the equine uterus to support maternal and fetal health during early pregnancy.

She chose Cornell's BBS program for its comparative approach to immunology. After studying Francisella tularensis and host-pathogen interactions, she became fascinated by how organisms adapt to stress, leading her toward comparative physiology. She wanted a program where she could explore how diverse species use unique strategies to address immunological challenges and Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and the Baker Institute for Animal Health made that possible.

Learn more: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/about-us/news/20260807/bbs-student-qa-alexis-smrekar

08/14/2026

At last week's 2026 Veterinary Scholars Symposium Isha Chauhan, a D.V.M./Ph.D. student at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, was awarded the 2026 Boehringer Ingelheim Research Award for Veterinary Students for her research on early equine pregnancy loss. ✨

Working in Dr. Mandi de Mestre's lab at The Baker Institute for Animal Health, Isha used a genome-wide association study on 400+ samples to identify genetic mutations linked to pregnancy failure in horses, work that could shape future screening tools for equine reproduction and offer insights into human pregnancy loss as well.

Congratulations, Isha!

Learn more: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/about-us/news/20260812/isha-chauhan-dvmphd-student-receives-2026-boehringer-ingelheim-research-award

08/13/2026

August is National Immunization Awareness Month! 💉

At the Baker Institute for Animal Health, researchers have been at the forefront of understanding and combating canine parvovirus (CPV), a highly contagious and potentially deadly virus affecting dogs worldwide. The Baker Institute played a key role in the original discovery and characterization of parvovirus, work that helped lead to the development of vaccines that protect millions of dogs today. 🐾

🔬 Learn more about the Baker Institute’s groundbreaking work on canine parvovirus: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/baker-institute-animal-health/research-baker-institute/canine-parvovirus

08/07/2026

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

07/28/2026

🐴 Baker Institute's very own Dr. Sarah Caddy was invited to present at the 7th International Rhodococcus equi Workshop in Hokkaido, Japan! 🇯🇵

R. equi is a soil-dwelling bacterium that causes severe, life-threatening pneumonia in young foals, often requiring intensive antibiotic treatment. Sarah's lab is tackling this problem from a different angle: understanding how maternal antibodies protect foals from infection.

The impact doesn't stop with horses. R. equi is also a zoonotic pathogen, capable of causing serious illness in immunocompromised people. Insights from this research could ultimately help protect vulnerable human populations too. 🌏

🔗 Learn more about the workshop: https://7th-rhodococcus-equi.com/

07/21/2026

🔬 Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do at the Baker Institute.

As part of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, we're proud to work alongside talented researchers across the university, building partnerships that amplify discovery and drive innovation in animal health.

One close collaboration is with the Cornell Feline Health Center, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of cats everywhere through education and research funding. Together, under the leadership of Dr. Mandi de Mestre (Baker Institute Director) and Dr. Bruce Kornreich (Feline Health Center Director), our teams share resources, expertise, and a shared mission, furthering our impact for animals and the people who love them. 🐾

Great science doesn't happen in isolation, it happens through partnership. 🧬

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

Learn more about the Cornell Feline Health Center: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center

07/10/2026

When someone experiences a stroke, every minute counts. The sooner doctors can determine what kind of stroke a patient is having, the sooner they can begin treatment that may save brain function and improve recovery. Yet diagnosing the most common type of stroke, acute ischemic stroke, isn't always straightforward. Studies show that nearly 1 in 6 strokes is initially missed, significantly increasing the risk of cognitive impairment, disability and death.

At the Baker Institute for Animal Health, Dr. Alexander Travis and Dr. Roy Cohen developed groundbreaking technology that could change everything: a rapid blood test to detect acute ischemic stroke.

Their innovation sparked TETmedical, co-founded with Cornell Trustee Emeritus David Fischell '75, to bring this life-saving diagnostic from lab to bedside.

Learn more: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/about-us/news/20260710/stroke-test-tech-receives-breakthrough-status-fda

07/06/2026

Happy National Farrier's Week! Celebrating the skilled craftspeople who protect and support our horses.

While farriers care for hooves and limbs, Baker Institute researchers like Dr. Mandi de Mestre are advancing equine health from conception onward.

Dr. de Mestre's groundbreaking research on placental development and congenital conditions helps ensure foals are born healthy - setting them up for success before they ever meet their first farrier!

From the cellular level to the hoof level we support horse health at every stage of life! 🐴

07/01/2026

Today we're celebrating the anniversary of the King Buck stamp, honoring an extraordinary Labrador Retriever who made history both in the field and on paper!

King Buck was a two-time National Retriever Field Trial Champion in 1952 and 1953, owned by John M. Olin, a Cornell alumnus and benefactor of our Baker Institute for Animal Health. In 1959, King Buck became the first dog ever featured on a Fish and Wildlife Service duck stamp, cementing his place in history, and his statue still stands inside Baker today.

Here's to King Buck, a true legend whose legacy lives on at Cornell and beyond!

Learn more: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/baker-institute-animal-health/about-baker-institute-animal-health/history-baker-institute-animal-health/75-years-discoveries

06/26/2026

Congratulations to the Goodman Lab! 🔬✨

Earlier this month, four talented trainees from the Baker Institute attended and presented their research at the ASM Microbe 2026 conference in Washington, D.C.!

We are incredibly proud to celebrate our presenters:
Dr. Jordan Zehr (Postdoctoral Associate)
Dr. Chloe Murrell (Postdoctoral Associate)
Grace Gonzalez (Combined DVM/PhD Student)

As the premier international event for the American Society for Microbiology, unites over 5,000 global experts, researchers, and healthcare professionals to share groundbreaking scientific advancements.

Having a poster accepted at ASM Microbe means these trainees passed a rigorous peer-review process by top international scientists in their fields.

Please join us in celebrating Jordan, Chloe, and Grace for representing the Baker Institute and Dr. Laura Goodman’s lab on the global stage! 🎉

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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