Professional Profile

Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University

VMID 962 Small Animal Cardiology Clinical Rotation, 2013 - 2014

Serve as senior clinician for a busy cardiology service, overseeing all cases,

resident training, and catheterization procedures. Didactic portions include

weekly ECG, case, and topic discussions for senior students and interns.

Leadership is shared with other faculty on a rotating basis.

VTPP 925 Pharmacology/Toxicology, Spring 2014

Case based lecture covering cardiovascular drugs as part of core pharmacology

course.

VSAM 948-327 Echocardiography, Spring 2014

Fifteen hour hands-on echocardiography laboratory instruction for third year

students as a follow-up elective to the advanced clinical cardiology

elective. Emphasizes performance and interpretation of echocardiograms in

dogs and cats.

Clinical Instructor, Texas A&M University

VTPP 910 Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory, Fall 2010, 2011

Two hour laboratory for first year students covering interpretation of

electrocardiograms and recognition of common cardiac rhythm disturbances.

VMID 912/913 Clinical Correlates I/II, Fall 2009 - 2011, Spring 2010, 2011.

Two hour interactive clinical practical exam administration to first year students

covering physical examination.

VSAM 948-327 Echocardiography, Spring 2010 - 2012.

Five hour hands-on echocardiography laboratory instruction for third year

students. This class is a follow-up elective to the advanced clinical cardiology

elective, and emphasizes performance and interpretation of echocardiograms in

dogs and cats.

VMID 962 Small Animal Cardiology Clinical Rotation, 2009 - 2012

Weekly ECG, case, and topic discussions for senior students and interns.

Leadership is shared with other residents and faculty on a rotating basis.

• Fries RC, Saunders AB. Use of procainamide for conversion of acute onset atrial fibrillation following pericardiocentesis in a dog. JAAHA 2012 Nov;48(6):429-433.

• Gordon SG, Saunders AB, Roland RM, Winter RL, Drourr LT, Achen SE, Hariu CD, Fries RC, Boggess MM and Miller MW. Effect of oral administration of pimobendan in cats with heart failure. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2012;241(1):89-94.

• Fries RC, Heaney AM, Meurs KM. Prevalence of the myosin-binding protein C mutation in Main Coon cats. J Vet Intern Med 2008;22:893–896.

• Comparison of transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography, three dimensional echocardiography, lithium dilution (cardiac output), computed tomography, and gated magnetic resonance imaging in normal canine hearts.
  Funding: American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and Ginn.
  Principal Investigator 2009 - 2012.

• Preclinical DCM in the Doberman Dog: The PROTECT Study
  This is an international double blind placebo controlled study designed to determine if initiation of pimobendan during the occult/preclinical stage of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Doberman Pinschers can delay the onset of clinical signs including death.
  Co-investigator and examining veterinarian 2009 – 2011
  Funding: Boehringer Ingelheim

• Utility of NT-proBNP and NT-proANP to Predict the Onset of Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs with Asymptomatic Canine Mitral Valve Disease
  Multi-center prospective study evaluating the utility of NT-proBNP and NTproANP to reflect the progression of mitral valve disease based on thoracic radiographs and echocardiography.
  Co-investigator and examining veterinarian 2009 – 2011
  Funding: IDEXX

• Comparison of MRI and Angiography for Quantification and Characterization of Vascular Anatomy in a Porcine Model of Renal Artery Stenosis
  Collaborator 2009
  Funding: Scott & White Healthcare

• Comparison of MRI and Angiography for Quantification and Characterization of Vascular Anatomy in a Porcine Model of Renal Artery Stenosis
  Collaborator 2009
  Funding: Scott & White Healthcare

• Clinical evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Bay 41-9202 in dogs with heart disease: HECTOR.
  This is a multi-center CVM FDA Pivotal Field Trial (GCP). The purpose of this project is to determine if oral administration of a new drug (BAY 41-9202) can delay the onset of heart failure in dogs with asymptomatic chronic mitral valve disease (Stage B2).
  Co-investigator and examining veterinarian 2009 – 2010
  Funding: Bayer Animal Health

• Treatment of Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) with Shape Memory Polymers Performed selective cardiac catheterization for optimization and characterization of PFO formation in a porcine model.
  Collaborator 2010.
  Funding: NIH BRP Grant

• Clinical evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Pimobendan in dogs with heart disease: EPIC.
  This is a multi-center FDA labeling study. The purpose of this project is to determine if oral administration of Pimobendan can delay the onset of heart failure in dogs with asymptomatic mitral valve disease (Stage B2).
  Co-investigator and examining veterinarian 2011 – Present
  Funding: Boehringer Ingelheim

• Evaluation of C635, in comparison to benazepril, in dogs with heart failure caused by left atrio-ventricular valvular insufficiency (AVVI). This is a multicenter GCP study designed to obtain FDA/CVM approval of C635 in the treatment of AVVI in dogs.
  Principle Site Investigator 2012 - 2013
  Funding: CEVA Animal Health LLC

• Stem Cell Therapy for Chemotherapy-Induced Congestive Heart Failure in Swine.
  Performed selective cardiac catheterization for delivery of intra-coronary doxorubicin. Weekly echocardiographic studies performed.
  Co-investigator 2013
  Funding: Texas Heart Institute

• Use of Admittance to Determine Cardiac Hemodynamics from Bi-Ventricular Pacemakers.
  Placed transvenous cardiac pacing leads in the right atrium, right ventricle, and coronary venous system of dogs. Performed transesophageal echocardiography to determine cardiac output at various pacing heart rates. Weekly transthoracic echocardiographic studies performed.
  Co-investigator 2013
  Funding: UTHSCSA

• Biocompatibility Assessment of the HeartMate III BiVAD in a Chronic 60 day Bovine Model
  Performed intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography to assist BiVAD placement.
  Collaborator 2013
  Funding: Thoratec, LLC

• A Novel Anti-hypertensive Nitric Oxide Donor Refractory to Nitrate Tolerance in a Porcine Model
  Performed selective catheterization, angiography, and stent placement of the renal arteries. Placed vascular access ports in the carotid arteries as well as telemetry devices for continuous invasive blood pressure, electrocardiogram, and body temperature readings.
  Co-investigator 2013
  Funding: NIH SBIR

• Response of Canine Cardiac Tissue to Radiofrequency Power in BIOTRONIK Solia Leads
  Placed pacemaker leads in the right atrium and right ventricle of dogs.
  Co-investigator 2014
  Funding: Mico Systems Engineering, Inc

• Diplomate American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Cardiology)
• Chief Resident Texas A&M University
• Pfizer Clinical Excellence Award
• Pfizer Pharmacology Award
• Ross University Semester Achievement Award 3,6, and 7
• Small Animal Proficiency Award
• AAHA Student Chapter Small Animal Proficiency Award
• Hills Nutrition Buddy Award
• Teacher's Assistant Award (Small Animal Medicine I & II)
• Large Animal Surgery Team Award
• DVM Dean's List All Semesters: Graduated valedictorian, summa cum laude

• American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine 2009 - present
• American Veterinary Medical Association, 2007- present
• Brazos Valley Veterinary Medical Association 2010 - present
• Ohio Veterinary Medical Association 2007- present