Liz Pluhar, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVS

Dr. Pluhar received her D.V.M. from Oregon State University in 1989. She earned a master of science degree in molecular biology from Northern Illinois University. In 1999, she earned a Ph.D. in veterinary sciences/comparative orthopaedics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research interests include improving total joint longevity, development of bone graft substitutes, the study of osteoclasts and bone graft incorporation, and the investigation of novel gene and immunotherapies for brain tumors.

• Resident Publication Award, mentor and co-author to Brian Rose, American College of Veterinary Surgeons, 2010
• Mark of Excellence Award, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 2009
• Who's Who in 20th Century America, Marquis' Who's Who, 2003
• Hall of Fame Inductee, Oak Lawn Community High School, Oak Lawn, Illinois, 2003
• First Place Faculty Oral Presentation, Phi Zeta Research Day, Colorado State University, 2003
• First Place Faculty Poster Presentation, Phi Zeta Research Day, Colorado State University, 2003
• The William Harris Award (for outstanding work in orthopaedic research related to the hip), Orthopaedic Research Society and the Harris Fellows Club, 2002
• Second Place Faculty Oral Presentation, Phi Zeta Research Day, Colorado State University, 2000
• Annual Dissertator Travel Award, Animal Health and Biomedical Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1999
• First Place Pre-Doctoral Abstract Award, First Annual Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development National Meeting, Washington D.C., 1998

• Evaluation of Botulinum toxin Type A (BoNT/A) for the treatment of canine elbow osteoarthritis. Allergan, Principal Investigator
• Hollow fiber catheters for drug delivery into brain tumors. National Institutes of Health (NINDS) and Twin Star Medical, co-Investigator
• Role of NK cells in enhancing brain tumor immunotherapy. American Cancer Society, co-Principal Investigator
• Gutless Adenovirus Mediated Gene Therapy for Glioma. National Institutes of Health (NINDS), Principal Investigator
• FT-IR Microscopy of Mineral Structure in Osteoporosis. National Institutes of Health (NIAMS), Principal Investigator
• Understanding and enhancing mechanisms of priming in cancer immunotherapy. National Institutes of Health (NIAMS), co-Principal Investigator
• Improved pre-clinical model for orthopaedic trauma. US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, co-Principal Investigator

For a listing of recent publications, refer to PubMed, a service provided by the National Library of Medicine.

• Small Animal Orthopedics - biomechanics, bone healing, fractures, orthopedic examinations, external coaptation, osteoarthrits, developmental bone diseases
• Animal models of orthopedic diseases
• Creating effective posters
• Canine neurosurgery - brain surgery
• Clinical

• Surgery