We are proud to congratulate Dr. Elizabeth Maxwell on receiving the Spring 2026 Excellence Award for Assistant Professors! This award recognizes Dr. Maxwell’s outstanding performance, dedication to mentorship, and commitment to professionalism within the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. Her passion for education, support of colleagues and students, and…
Congratulations to Dr. Portela and Dr. Chiavaccini from the Pain Innovation and Research Laboratory (PIRL) and the Anesthesia Department at the University of Florida Veterinary Hospital for being recognized as Founding Fellows in Pain Management through the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (ACVAA). This prestigious international recognition honors…
Congratulations to Dr. Manraj Grewal on successfully defending her thesis, “Assessment of the Analgesic Efficacy of Encapsulated Kratom for Acute Pain Management in Dogs.” Over the past two years, Dr. Grewal has made significant contributions to advancing pain research through her dedication, hard work, and commitment to improving veterinary medicine.
In February 2026, Dr. Elizabeth Maxwell and Roman A. Mirra delivered compelling presentations at the 5th Scientific Kratom Symposium in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Maxwell presented: “Assessing the Analgesic Efficacy of Encapsulated Kratom in Altering Sensory Thresholds in Dogs, using Electric, Thermal and Mechanical Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST)” “Effect of Encapsulated…
A big round of applause for Dr. Miscioscia from the Pain Innovations Research Laboratory! In August, she delivered an abstract presentation at the American College of Veterinay Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program, on the Effect of Encapsulated Kratom on Naturally Occurring Osteoarthritic Pain in a Canine Model. In October, Dr.
“Maly joined our family when my husband and I were a young couple. Effectively, she was with us from the beginning. Maly was found, with her litter mates, near a dumpster and was brought to the SPCA by a concerned citizen. The first time I saw her, I knew she…
“Athena was my beautiful 10-year-old German Shepherd. She was kind, intelligent, protective, courageous, loving, and calm—truly the peace in the middle of our chaos. She was an incredible “nanny dog” and adored her human kids (ages 10, 9, 7, and 6). She loved going to cheer practice with the girls…
This Veterinary Technician Week, we’re thrilled to celebrate the heart of our lab — April Hardison, CVT, our tireless research assistant and lab manager. April keeps the Pain Innovations Research Laboratory running seamlessly, ensuring that every study is executed with precision and care. Her dedication extends far beyond organization and…
This past weekend, the Pain Innovation Research Laboratory (PIRL) marked the end of summer with a festive gathering full of great food, meaningful connections, and a refreshing dip in the pool. It was the perfect way to welcome a new academic year filled with hope, exciting discoveries, and continued collaboration.
We’re excited to highlight a recent article from the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation, featuring one of our own researchers, Dr. Diego Portela of the Pain Innovation Research Laboratory. In “Relieving Pain, Restoring Joy: A New Approach to Canine Osteoarthritis,” Dr. Portela discusses his team’s groundbreaking work to improve…
