Maisie Dawes, DVM, PhD, DACVIM
Assistant Professor of Immunology, Large Animal Internal Medicine
College of Veterinary Medicine
Join year: 2007
•Maisie Dawes, DVM, PhD, Diplomate, ACVIM, a Jamaican, joined the faculty of Western University of Health Sciences as Assistant Professor, Food Animal Internal Medicine in January 2007. She obtained her Doctor of Philosophy in Immunology in May 2006, at the University of Missouri-Columbia, focusing on neonatal innate immune responses in calves. This project began during her tenure at that institution, as a Food Animal Resident and progressed during her Clinical Instructorship. She hopes to continue her investigation of lactoferrin in inflammation in ruminant models, while at Western University of Health Sciences.
•As an Intern Dr. Dawes also pursued work in the area of the passive transfer of bovine colostral immunoglobulins. In August 2005 she was accredited Diplomate status in Large Animal Internal Medicine.
•Dr. Dawes graduated from Tuskegee University with a DVM degree (cum laude), subsequent on a BS degree (summa cum laude) in 1995, in Animal and Poultry Sciences. During her time at Tuskegee and since then, she has been privileged to participate in scientific and clinical publications including manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and a book chapter.
Educational Profile:
- PhD, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 2006
- DVM (Cum Laude), College of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 1999
- BSc (Summa Cum Laude), Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 1995
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Specialty of Large Animal Internal Medicine), since 2005
- 2021 - Present : Associate Professor of Immunology and Large Animal Internal Medicine -Food Animal focus - Western University of Health Sciences, CVM, Pomona, CA 91766.
- 2007 - 2021 : Assistant Professor of Immunology and Large Animal Internal Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, CVM, Pomona, CA 91766.
- 2006 - 2007 : Food Animal Clinical & Immunology Instructor, Departments of Veterinary Pathobiology and Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia, CVM, Columbia, MO 65211
- 2005 - 2006 :Food Animal Clinical Instructor & PhD Candidate, Departments of Veterinary Pathobiology and Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia, CVM, Columbia, MO 65211
- 2003 - 2005 :Large Animal Internal Medicine Resident, Food Animal Medicine and Surgery and Production Medicine & PhD Candidate - Supervisor: Jeff Lakritz, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (LA), DACVCP, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211
- 2000 - 2003 :Large Animal Internal Medicine Resident, Food Animal Medicine and Surgery and Production Medicine & MS Candidate - Supervisor: Jeff Lakritz, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (LA), DACVCP, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211
- 1999 - 2000 :Food Animal Intern (Supervisor, late Jeff W. Tyler, DVM, MPVM, PhD, DACVIM (LA)), Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211
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1997 – 1999 : Work Study Student, Large and Small Animal Hospitals, School of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36083.
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1993 – 1998: Research Assistant (Mentor: Edward Smith, PhD), Animal Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36083.
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1992 – 1993: Farm Manager, Crops, Knox Community College, Clarendon, Jamaica, W. I.
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1992: Science Teacher, Biological Sciences, Christiana Comprehensive High School, Christiana, Manchester, Jamaica, W. I.
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1990 – 1992: Research Field Assistant, "Evaluating Cattle Growth on African Star Grass." Jamaica Agricultural Development Foundation, Moneague, St. Ann, Jamaica W.I.
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1989 :Cooperative Internship Education Program- College of Agriculture curriculum-related 8-week internship: Practiced prophylactic and curative medicine in food animal species, under the supervision of veterinarians and animal health assistants of the Government of Jamaica, Ministry of Agriculture, Jamaica Veterinary Division.
More current contributions to student learning are listed below. This is a non-exhaustive list and does not include time prior to WesternU CVM:
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DVM Clinical Skills Instructor (Year 2, 2019–Present): Facilitates hands-on and virtual training in animal restraint, physical exam techniques, and clinical reasoning using case-based learning and instructional media.
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Lecturer, Fluid Therapy (2019–2020): Delivered third-year instruction on fluid therapy principles, including acid-base interpretation and treatment planning.
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Course Director/Leader, Livestock Practice (2007–2019): Led and managed third-year courses with full curricular oversight, including assessments, field-based instruction, and student evaluation.
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Fourth-Year Clinical Educator (2007–2019): Developed and taught large animal rotations, mentored students in case management and diagnostics, and contributed to herd health and production medicine training.
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NAVLE/Board Review Instructor (2008–2019): Led interactive, case-based review sessions on food animal medicine for graduating students.
June 2019 - Present :Instructor, DVM Year 2 Clinical Skills (F2F prior to March 2020 and currently on Zoom).Through the engagement of students during hands-on activities, personally made (see innovations) or internet-based YouTube instructional videos and software, namely Dr. Jonathan Naylor’s “The Art of Bovine Auscultation,” demonstration on models, supplemental learning materials and PowerPoint presentations, learners are presented with opportunities to develop restraint skills (physical and mechanical), which are essential to developing proficiency in physical examination (observation, palpation, auscultation, ballottement and percussion), and the interpretation of clinical and diagnostic findings. Using case encounters and vignettes, learners are introduced to the essential components of the Problem Oriented Veterinary Medical Record (POVMR), and the opportunity to identify or present components of the medical record, including effective client communication. Prior to the pandemic, two 50 min sessions were held each week, either on the Mount San Antonio Community College or California Polytechnic Institute State University of Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona) campuses-two of our strategic partnerships.
Over the years, my research focus has evolved into having a central focus of comparative immunology. Given the significance of agriculturally important domestic species to public health, I utilize ruminant and avian models to investigate the impact of novel alternatives to traditional antibiotic and anti-inflammatory agents like bovine lactoferrin, on immune system development and function.
FUNDED RESEARCH, Western University of Health Sciences:
1. Dawes ME (Principal Investigator). “Plasma Lactoferrin (LF) concentrations serve as a marker of disease severity in pre-weaned diarrheic calves.” Western University of Health Sciences Intramural Research Small/Seed Grant Program. March 2016.
2. Lee L, Han J, Tyler J, Ho JK, Dawes ME (Co- investigator). “Clinical investigation of hypertensive and hypotensive cardiovasoactives in animal models utilizing a novel fiber optic biosensor incorporating measurement of oxygen, hydrogen, glucose, lactate, temperature, and microcirculation.” Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST). January 2016.
3. Dawes ME (Principal Investigator). An in vitro study: The effects of lactoferrin (LF) on LPS-induced inflammatory mediator production by primary bovine neonatal macrophages via p38 Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling.” Western University of Health Sciences Intramural Research Small/Seed Grant Program, $5, 000, & matching funds, College of Veterinary Medicine, Office of Research. August 2012.
4. Collisson E, Drechsler Y, Dawes ME, Tkalcic S, Irizarry K, Saggese M. (Co- investigator). I collaborated and coordinated with both key and other personnel during the preparation of the grant, “Impact of immune responses of chickens with defined B haplotypes on resistance to respiratory coronavirus infection.” USDA CSREES-NRI-Competitive Grants Program. July 2008.
5. Dawes ME (Principal Investigator). “In vitro effects of Lactoferrin (LF) on the Regulation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling and Gene expression associated with Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in Bovine monocytes.” Western University of Health Sciences Intramural Grant Funding Cycle. July 2008.
Ongoing Projects (inclusive of benchtop work & data processing):
1.Dawes ME (Principal Investigator), Chitko-McKown CG. In vitro lactoferrin and lactoferricin B effects on LPS-induced p38 signaling and pro-inflammatory cytokine production.
2.Dawes ME (Principal Investigator), Xie C, Aguilar J. A comparison between the in vitro antimicrobial activity of bovine lactoferrin and the 25 AA peptide, lactoferricin B (LFcin B), against NetB positive C. perfringens type A, the etiological agent of avian necrotic enteritis.
3. Lee L, Han J, Tyler J, Ho JK, Dawes ME (Co- investigator). “Clinical investigation of hypertensive and hypotensive cardiovasoactives in animal models utilizing a novel fiber optic biosensor incorporating measurement of oxygen, hydrogen, glucose, lactate, temperature, and microcirculation.” Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)
4. Lee L, Han J, Tyler J, Ho JK, Dawes ME (Co- investigator). “Injectable anesthetic protocol using alfaxolone in laboratory animals.” Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)
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2026 – Nominee, Zoetis Research Award, Western University of Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine
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2024 – Principal Investigator, Veterinary Pharmacology Research Grants (AVMF/VPRF; $30,000) + WesternU CVM Matching Funds ($5,000)
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2024 – Principal Investigator, WesternU CVM Student Research Grant ($2,000)
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2025, 2022 – Mentor to FFAR Veterinary Fellows (AAVMC/FFAR competitive national program)
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2024, 2021 – Mentor, Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Scholars Program
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2025 – Mentee Award: 3rd Place Poster, American College of Veterinary Pathologists (mentored student research)
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2020–Present – Invited Member, Medical Advisory Board, Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens
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2020–2023 – Invited Member, Veterinary Immunology Committee, American Association of Immunologists
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2019 – Travel Grant Awardee, Immunology 2019 (AAI Annual Meeting)
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2016, 2012 – Principal Investigator, Intramural Research Grants, WesternU CVM
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2016 – Co-Investigator, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Research Grant ($395,000+)
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2008 – Co-Investigator, USDA Competitive Research Grant ($375,000)
- Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (2020 – present)
- California Veterinary Medical Association (2007- present)
- Missouri Veterinary Medical Association (2004-January 2007)
- American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (LAIM since 2005)
- American Association of Bovine Practitioners (1999-present)
- American Veterinary Medical Association (1999-present)
COLLEGE -LEVEL COMMITTEE & OTHER WORK
- July 2021 - Present Chair, Instructional Resources Committee (IRC)
- 2020 - Present Member, Reverence for Life, Committee (RFLC)
- October, December, and January 2014 to Present Reviewer & Interviewer, CVM Admissions Applications
- 2020 - June 2021 Member, Instructional Resources Committee (IRC)
- July 2017 - 2020 Member, Faculty Affairs Committee
- July 2014 - 2017 Member, Curriculum Committee (CC)
- 2013 - 2014 Member, Faculty Search Ad Hoc Committee
- Fall 2012 - Spring 2013 Member, Curriculum Action Team- subgroup, Clinical Partnerships
- 2011 - 2014 Member, Committee on Clinical Instruction (CCI)
- Feb. 2013 & 2014 Application Reviewer, Zoetis AABP Summer Externship Program
- 2008 - 2011 Member, Public Health and Safety Committee (PHSC)
- 2009 - 2010 Chair, CVM Student Affairs Committee
- 2007 - 2010 Member, CVM Student Affairs Committee
- 2008 - 2009 Member, Faculty Search Ad Hoc Committee
- 2007 - 2008 Member, Faculty Search Ad Hoc Committee
UNIVERSITY-LEVEL COMMITTEE WORK
- 2014 - Present Alternate CVM Representative, Faculty Senate.
- 2009- 2014 CVM Representative, University Awards Committee
- 2009-2010 Member, Administrative Student Affairs Council
Selected Publications
- Wong TW, Rai V, Dong F, Tkalcic S, Aguilar JS, Dawes ME. Research Note: Bovine lactoferrin in chickens: an investigation into its viability as an antibiotic alternative. Poultry Science, 2024;103(6):103658. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2024.103658
- Dawes ME, Britt LG, Jones BT, Shuck KK, Eng CL, Memarzadeh A, Ondrak JD. What is Your Diagnosis? Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2022;260(4):401–403. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.20.11.0631
- Dawes ME, Xie C, Chitko-McKown CG. A host-associated antimicrobial agent exhibits both immuno-protective and immunotherapeutic effects. Journal of Immunology, 2019;202(1 Suppl):187.13.
- Dawes ME, Griggs LM, Collisson EW, Briles WE, Drechsler Y. Dramatic differences in the response of macrophages from B2 and B19 MHC-defined haplotypes to interferon gamma and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid stimulation. Poultry Science, 2014;93(4):830–838.
- Dawes ME, Tyler JW, Hostetler DE, Nagy DW, Tessman RK. Clinical examination, diagnostic testing, and treatment options for neonatal calves with diarrhea: A review. Bovine Practitioner, 2014;48(1):61–75.
- Dawes ME, Tyler JW, Marsh AM, Larson RL, Steevens BJ, Lakritz J. In vitro effects of lactoferrin (LF) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced proliferation of bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 2008;69(9):1164–1170.
- Chigerwe M, Tyler JW, Dawes ME, Nagy DW, Schultz LG, Middleton JR, Gourley D, Luby CD. Enteral feeding of mature cattle via rumenostomy. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2005;19(5):779–781.
- Chigerwe M, Dawes ME, Tyler JW, Middleton JR, Moore MP, Nagy DW. Evaluation of a cow-side immunoassay kit for assessing immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration in bovine colostrum. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2005;227(1):129–131.
- Moore MP, Tyler JW, Chigerwe M, Dawes ME, Middleton JR. The effect of delayed colostrum collection on colostral IgG concentration in dairy cows. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2005;226(8):1375–1377.
- Dawes ME, Lakritz J, Tyler JW, Chakwenya J, Hostetler DE. Effects of supplemental lactoferrin at birth on serum lactoferrin concentrations, neutrophil oxidative metabolism, and IgG concentration in Holstein calves. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2004;18(1):104–108.
- Dawes ME, Tyler JW, Hostetler D, Lakritz J, Tessman R. Evaluation of a commercially available immunoassay for assessing adequacy of passive transfer status in calves. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2002;220(6):791–793.
Book Chapters & Scholarly Contributions
- Dawes ME. Brassica Toxicity. In: Chase CCL, Lutz KA, McKenzie EC, Tibary A, editors. Blackwell’s Five-Minute Veterinary Consult: Ruminant, 2nd ed. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons; 2017.
- Dawes ME, Tyler JW. Principles of colostrum feeding. In: Youngquist RS, Threlfall WR, editors. Current Therapy in Large Animal Theriogenology 2; 2006.
- Dawes ME. Pigeon fever (Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis). American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Fact Sheet; 2015.