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…
“Our Gentle Guardian 2016–2025 KJ, our incredible German Shepherd, blessed our family for nine unforgettable years. I’ll admit, I was the skeptic at first, convinced he would be too much dog for our home. Thankfully, I was outvoted, and he remains one of the greatest gifts our family ever had. …
“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…
Her study, titled “Feasibility, Repeatability, and Regional Differences in Thermal Threshold and Cold Thermal Latency Testing in Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps),” was conducted under the mentorship of Dr. Ludovica Chiavaccini. Together, they piloted this important research, contributing valuable data to our understanding of thermal nociception in reptiles. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1090023325001145…
We’re proud to recognize Fiona Hecker, a rising second-year student at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, for presenting her first research poster titled “The Influence of Gabapentin and Amantadine on Altering Sensory Thresholds in Dogs” on July 31, 2025. Representing the Florida Veterinary Scholars Program, Fiona delivered…
