New Faculty Focus: Amelia Munsterman

Title: Clinical Assistant Professor (large animal surgery), School of Veterinary Medicine

Hometown: Raymore, Missouri

Educational background: University of Missouri-Columbia, B.S, 1997; University of Missouri-Columbia, DVM, 2001; The Ohio State University, M.S., 2005; Auburn University Ph.D., 2017.

Previous position: Clinical Assistant Professor, Auburn University

How did you get into your field of research? My main area of interest is in gastrointestinal surgery, which led to pursuit of research that would improve and advance post-operative care. While completing my fellowship in emergency and critical care medicine, I became interested in abdominal hypertension, and developed new methods for measurement in horses. Complications of celiotomy closure are interrelated to abdominal pressure, which led to an interest in novel closure methods and knot security.

What attracted you to UW–Madison? The history of a strong research base, the inclusive atmosphere of the college, and the quality of the faculty.

What was your first visit to campus like? Cold.

Favorite place on campus? The effigy mound at the top of Observatory Hill — a great juxtaposition of past, present and future.

What are you most enjoying so far about working here? The wonderful people I have to work with. Faculty have all been warm and welcoming, and the staff is super helpful, and are knowledgeable about their jobs. And I can’t forget the students who are all invested in the University and improving the lives of their patients. The teamwork is outstanding.

Do you feel your work relates in any way to the Wisconsin Idea?  I think that what we do very day in the clinic allows us to directly serve the citizens of Wisconsin. Our research is very clinical, and seeks to find immediate and clinically applicable solutions to problems we see on a daily basis in our patients.

What’s something interesting about your area of expertise you can share that will make us sound smarter at parties? The strongest knot for tying suture is called an Aberdeen and is a modification of a knot used to moor sailboats. It has a shady history, that it was used as a quick getaway knot for bank robbers on horseback.

Hobbies/other interests: Powerlifting; Traditional Chinese Medicine; Trying to learn Italian…slowly.