Sloane Boukobza, a member of the Lincoln Memorial University-Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine (LMU-CVM) Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Class of 2028, received first place for a graduate oral presentation at the Kentucky-Tennessee Branch of the American Society for Microbiology meeting held Nov. 7–8 at Meharry Medical College in Nashville. Her research focuses on leptospirosis, a zoonotic bacterial disease, and its public health implications in the Cumberland Gap region.
Boukobza began working in the laboratory of Dr. Ashutosh Verma during her first year at LMU-CVM. Her work contributes to a long-standing research effort in Verma’s lab that has investigated leptospiral presence in local wildlife, farm animals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and, most recently, shelter dogs. During the summer of 2024, she conducted testing on samples from shelter dogs in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia, forming the basis of her award-winning presentation.
Leptospirosis spreads from infected animals and can persist in rivers, soil and other wet environments. The Powell River and surrounding habitats in the Cumberland Gap region create ideal conditions for transmission to both animals and humans.
“Our goal is to monitor and spread awareness of leptospirosis prevalence in the Cumberland Gap region to keep humans and animals safe,” Boukobza said.
Boukobza is refining the shelter dog study for journal submission and is contributing to a review of leptospirosis across species. She is also a co-author of “Detection of leptospiral antibodies and DNA in freshwater fish,” published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science in August 2025. She will present two posters at the Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases in Chicago in January 2026.
The multi-year leptospirosis research effort is supported by an institutional grant awarded to Verma. Boukobza credits the progress of her summer research to fellow LMU-CVM students Ryann Lockwood and Sungum Saharan, with laboratory operations supported by staff members Joey Morgan and Chase Jones.
“This research would not be where it is today without the contributions of the lab members who worked on this project before me.” Boukobza said. “Expanding this research is vital for the safety of both humans and animals.”
Boukobza said expanding testing to better understand asymptomatic carriers of leptospirosis in Appalachia is a priority of the Verma lab. She, and her lab partner, Carleigh Ebert (DVM Class of 2029), are working to establish methodology for identifying these intermediate strains.
“This research is critical for understanding the threat that leptospirosis poses to both animals and people in the Cumberland Gap region of Central Appalachia,” Verma said. “Our surveillance efforts continue to grow, and contributions from students like Sloane are essential for generating the data needed to safeguard animal and human health.”
Before entering veterinary school, Boukobza graduated summa cum laude from Vassar College with a degree in neuroscience. She conducted research on social bonding in ADHD and autism models in mice and presented her work at the 2023 Society for Neuroscience conference. She plans to pursue a career in veterinary ophthalmology.
In addition to her research responsibilities, Boukobza serves as president of the LMU-CVM Research Club and as a Student Ambassador. She volunteers at the Tate’s Trap Neuter and Release (TNR) program in Middlesboro, Kentucky, and at Herps Alive Reptile Rescue when in her hometown of Cleveland, Ohio.
Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in liberal arts and professional studies. The LMU-Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine is located on LMU’s main campus in Harrogate, Tennessee, with additional academic facilities in nearby Lee County, Virginia. LMU-CVM is an integral part of the University’s medical programs and provides real-world, community-based education in a collaborative learning environment. For more information about LMU-CVM, call 1.800.325.0900, ext. 6600 or visit us online at vetmed.LMUnet.edu.
