Home / Events
April 2026
25apr2:00 pm4:00 pmGoing Viral: Studying the Wild Ancestors of Our Pet Cats

Event Description:
Join NMVMA for a fascinating afternoon with Dr. Meredith Brown, DVM, PhD as she explores how the study of wild felids can deepen our understanding of feline health and disease in clinical practice.
Drawing from her field research in Mongolia, including her work with Pallas’s cats and the discovery of feline immunodeficiency virus in that species, Dr. Brown will examine how infectious disease research in wild cat populations can inform what we know about domestic cats, host-pathogen relationships, and the evolutionary history of feline disease. Her presentation will highlight the ways comparative feline health research can expand our thinking about disease transmission, immune response, and the biological connections between wild and domestic species.
This program offers a unique opportunity to engage with science that crosses disciplines and settings, connecting wildlife research, veterinary medicine, and public education in a way that is both accessible and highly relevant. Attendees will gain broader insight into the origins and behavior of feline infectious diseases while hearing firsthand how research conducted in the field can shape understanding back home.
This program will be of interest to veterinarians, veterinary technicians, students, and others in the veterinary community who want to deepen their understanding of feline infectious disease and explore the intersection of wildlife health and companion animal medicine.
Date: April 25, 2026
Time: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Las Cruces Museum of Nature & Science
411 N. Main St.
Las Cruces, NM 88001
This is a free program presented in partnership with the Las Cruces Museum of Nature & Science. NMVMA is currently seeking approval for 2 hours of continuing education credit for the veterinary community.
Register here: Going Viral Registration