Vanessa Jensen, DVM, DACLAM
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Division of VP, Research
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Department Chair, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Division of Basic Science Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Professor, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Division of Basic Science Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1995 | Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA, DVM, Veterinary Medicine |
| 1991 | Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA, BS, Biomedical Science |
Postgraduate Training
| 1996-1997 | Postdoctoral Research Associate, Immunology and Microbiology, The University of Iowa School of Medicine, Iowa City, IA |
Board Certifications
| 2009 | Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 2006 - 2015
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Department Chair ad interim, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2018 - 2019
Director of Research Animal Support Facility for the Cancer Center Support Grant Core, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2018 - Present
Deputy Department Chair, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2017 - 2018
Co-Director of Education, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2016 - 2022
Section Chief, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2015 - 2018
Residency Program Director, The Gulf Coast Consortium Veterinary Training Program, Houston, 2015 - 2018
Chief of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 2012 - 2015
Chief Executive Officer of Preceptor Site, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 2007 - 2015
Chief of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 2006 - 2012
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Advisor, Lone Star College Veterinary Technology Program Advisory Committee, Tomball, TX, 2007 - Present
Institutional Committee Activities
Attending Veterinarian and voting member, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, 2018 - Present
Chair, Program Income Advisory Committee, 2018 - Present
Voting Member, Institutional Biosafety Committee, 2015 - 2021
Alternate Voting Member, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, 2015 - 2018
Training Program Director, Gulf Coast Consortium Postdoctoral Veterinary Training Program in Laboratory Animal Medicine and Science Advisory Committee, 2014 - 2015
Voting Member, Radiation Safety Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 2012 - 2015
Primary Advisor, Gulf Coast Consortium Postdoctoral Veterinary Training Program in Laboratory Animal Medicine and Science Advisory Committee, 2012 - 2014
Attending Veterinarian, Voting Member, Animal Welfare Committee (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 2011 - 2015
Member, Animal Care Communications Crisis Management Leadership Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 2011 - 2015
Voting Member, Animal Welfare Committee (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 2008 - 2015
Voting Member, Institutional Biosafety Committee, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 2006 - 2012
Voting Member, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, University of Wisconsin Medical School, 2003 - 2006
Consultantships
Attending Veterinarian, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX, 2014 - 2020
Attending Veterinarian, Nanospectra Biosciences Inc, Houston, TX, 2012 - Present
Ad Hoc Consultant, Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care – International, Frederick, MD, 2012 - Present
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Spencer CN, McQuade JL, Gopalakrishnan V, McCulloch JA, Vetizou M, Cogdill AP, Khan MAW, Zhang X, White MG, Peterson CB, Wong MC, Morad G, Rodgers T, Badger JH, Helmink BA, Andrews MC, Rodrigues RR, Morgun A, Kim YS, Roszik J, Hoffman KL, Zheng J, Zhou Y, Medik YB, Kahn LM, Johnson S, Hudgens CW, Wani K, Gaudreau PO, Harris AL, Jamal MA, Baruch EN, Perez-Guijarro E, Day CP, Merlino G, Pazdrak B, Lochmann BS, Szczepaniak-Sloane RA, Arora R, Anderson J, Zobniw CM, Posada E, Sirmans E, Simon J, Haydu LE, Burton EM, Wang L, Dang M, Clise-Dwyer K, Schneider S, Chapman T, Anang NAS, Duncan S, Toker J, Malke JC, Glitza IC, Amaria RN, Tawbi HA, Diab A, Wong MK, Patel SP, Woodman SE, Davies MA, Ross MI, Gershenwald JE, Lee JE, Hwu P, Jensen V, Samuels Y, Straussman R, Ajami NJ, Nelson KC, Nezi L, Petrosino JF, Futreal PA, Lazar AJ, Hu J, Jenq RR, Tetzlaff MT, Yan Y, Garrett WS, Huttenhower C, Sharma P, Watowich SS, Allison JP, Cohen L, Trinchieri G, Daniel CR, Wargo JA. Dietary Fiber and Probiotics Influence the Gut Microbiome and Melanoma Immunotherapy Response. Science 374(6575):1632-1640, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34941392.
- Hennessy M, Wahba A, Felix K, Cabrera M, Segura MG, Kundra V, Ravoori MK, Stewart J, Kleinerman ES, Jensen VB, Gopalakrishnan V, Pena R, Quach P, Kim G, Kivimäe S, Madakamutil L, Overwijk WW, Zalevsky J, Gordon N. Bempegaldesleukin (BEMPEG; NKTR-214) Efficacy as a Single Agent and in Combination with Checkpoint-Inhibitor Therapy in Mouse Models of Osteosarcoma. Int J Cancer 148(8):1928-1937, 2021. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 33152115.
- Chen Y, Zhang R, Wang L, Correa AM, Pataer A, Xu Y, Zhang X, Ren C, Wu S, Meng QH, Fujimoto J, Jensen VB, Antonoff MB, Hofstetter WL, Mehran RJ, Pisimisis G, Rice DC, Sepesi B, Vaporciyan AA, Walsh GL, Swisher SG, Roth JA, Heymach JV, Fang B. Tumor Characteristics Associated with Engraftment of Patient-Derived Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Xenografts in Immunocompromised Mice. Cancer 125(21):3738-3748, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31287557.
- Yan X, Zhang X, Wang L, Zhang R, Pu X, Wu S, Li L, Tong P, Wang J, Meng QH, Jensen VB, Girard L, Minna JD, Roth JA, Swisher SG, Heymach JV, Fang B. Inhibition of Thioredoxin/Thioredoxin Reductase Induces Synthetic Lethality in Lung Cancers with Compromised Glutathione Homeostasis. Cancer Res 79(1):125-132, 2019. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30401714.
- Mamenko M, Zaika O, Tomilin V, Jensen VB, Pochynyuk O. Compromised regulation of the collecting duct ENaC activity in mice lacking AT1areceptor. J Cell Physiol 233(9):7217-7225, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29574718.
- . Abstracts of Scientific Presentations 2018 AALAS National Meeting Baltimore, Maryland. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 57(5):534-642, 2018. PMID: 30236173.
- Gopalakrishnan V, Spencer CN, Nezi L, Reuben A, Andrews MC, Karpinets TV, Prieto PA, Vicente D, Hoffman K, Wei SC, Cogdill AP, Zhao L, Hudgens CW, Hutchinson DS, Manzo T, Petaccia de Macedo M, Cotechini T, Kumar T, Chen WS, Reddy SM, Szczepaniak Sloane R, Galloway-Pena J, Jiang H, Chen PL, Shpall EJ, Rezvani K, Alousi AM, Chemaly RF, Shelburne S, Vence LM, Okhuysen PC, Jensen VB, Swennes AG, McAllister F, Marcelo Riquelme Sanchez E, Zhang Y, Le Chatelier E, Zitvogel L, Pons N, Austin-Breneman JL, Haydu LE, Burton EM, Gardner JM, Sirmans E, Hu J, Lazar AJ, Tsujikawa T, Diab A, Tawbi H, Glitza IC, Hwu WJ, Patel SP, Woodman SE, Amaria RN, Davies MA, Gershenwald JE, Hwu P, Lee JE, Zhang J, Coussens LM, Cooper ZA, Futreal PA, Daniel CR, Ajami NJ, Petrosino JF, Tetzlaff MT, Sharma P, Allison JP, Jenq RR, Wargo JA. Gut Microbiome Modulates Response to anti-PD-1 Immunotherapy in Melanoma Patients. Science 359(6371):97-103, 2018. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29097493.
- Prieto MC, Reverte V, Mamenko M, Kuczeriszka M, Veiras LC, Rosales CB, McLellan M, Gentile O, Jensen VB, Ichihara A, McDonough AA, Pochynyuk OM, Gonzalez AA. Collecting Duct Prorenin Receptor Knockout Reduces Renal Function, Increases Na+ Excretion and Mitigates Renal Responses in ANGII Induced Hypertensive Mice. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 313(6):152, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28814438.
- Duran AF, Gopalakrishnan V, Guio J, Roberts K, Nezi L, Wargo J,Jensen VB. Did You Know About IVC Gnotobiotics?. Lab Animal Science Professional 5(4):47-49, 2017.
- Mamenko MV, Boukelmoune N, Tomilin VN, Zaika OL, Jensen VB, O'Neil RG, Pochynyuk OM. The Renal TRPV4 Channel is Essential for Adaptation to Increased Dietary Potassium. Kidney Int 91(6):1398-1409, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28187982.
- Wafer LN, Jensen VB, Whitney JC, Gomez TH, Flores R, Goodwin BS. Environmental Enrichment Influences Fertility and Fecundity of Zebrafish (Danio rerio). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 55(3):291-294, 2016. PMID: 27177561.
- Wafer LN, Whitney JC,Jensen VB. Argulus japonicus in Goldfish (Carassius auruatus). Comp Med 65(2):93-95, 2015. PMID: 25926394.
- Mamenko M, Zaika O, Prieto MC, Jensen B, Doris PA, Navar LG, Pochynyuk O. Coordinated Regulation of ENaC Activity in the Distal Nephron by Aldosterone and Ang II. The Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB J) 28(1), 2014.
- Mamenko M, Zaika O, Prieto MC, Jensen VB, Doris PA, Navar LG, Pochynyuk O. Chronic Angiotensin II Infusion Drives Extensive Aldosterone-Independent ENaC activation. Hypertension 62(6):1111-1122, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24060890.
- Work R, Jensen VB. Infant Pants, A Different Approach to Bunny Bandaging. AALAS 1(3):39-40, 2013.
- Munger RJ, Jensen VB, Bouldin TW, Peiffer RL. Bilateral Neuroepithelial Choristomas of the Optic Disc in a Cynomolgus Monkey (Macaca Fascicularis): A Case Report. Vet Ophthalmol 5(3):221-226, 2002. PMID: 12236876.
- Jensen VB, Harty JT, Jones BD. Interactions of the Invasive Pathogens Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, and Shigella flexneri with M Cells and Murine Peyer’s Patches. Infect Immun 66(8):3758-3766, 1998. PMID: 9673259.
- Levy DR, Flores R, Garcia GE, Craig SL, Jensen VB. Effects of Extruded Compared with Pelleted Diets on Laboratory Mice Housed in Individually Ventilated Cages and the Cage Environment. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 57(6):686-694. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30185286.
- Behrana Jensen V, Humphreys AF, Pageon LR, Samuels DL, Trimble AL, Mendoza A, Whitley EM. Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma in a Young Adult Ferret (Mustela putorius furo). JAVMA.
Invited Articles
- Barrera A, Duran AF, Mitchell JM, Jensen VB. Rescue Me: Sanitation of Electronic Devices. AALAS 7(3):60-61, 2019.
- Bird NK, Greaver JL, Trimble AL, Stavinoha CI, Work RK, Jensen VB. Efficacy of a Novel Foam E-collar to Promote Comfort and to Inhibit Self-mutilation During Postsurgical Recovery in the Watanabe Rabbits with Potential Use in Rodents. AALAS 2(3):48-50, 2014.
Abstracts
- Toker J, Johnson SE, Arora R, Khan, Medik YB, Zhou Y, Serrudo L, MAW, Cogdill AP, Helmink BA, Spencer CN, Gopalakrishnan V, Thakur R, Andrews MC, Jensen V, Martin L, Guio J, Watowich SS, Wargo JA. Influence of OTC Probiotic Use on Gut Microbiome and Response to Immune Checkpoint Blockade Therapy. AACR Virtual Annual Meeting 2020, 2020.
- Fowlkes NW, Swain J, Gagea M, Lockworth C, Tinkey P, Jensen V, Whitley EM. Cutaneous and Gastrointestinal Dysbiosis in Immunodeficient Mice. Experimental Biology 2019, Orlando, Florida, 2019.
- Helmink B, Harris A, Heffernan T, Andrews M, Cogdill A, Jamal M, Spencer C, Gopalakrishnan V, Gaudreau P, Jenq R, McQuade J, Jensen V, Duran A, Martin L Gershenwald J, Wargo J. Variation of the Gut Microbiome of Complete Responders to Immune Checkpoint Blockade and Healthy Individuals- Implications for Clinical Trial Design. Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 33rd Annual Meeting, 2018.
- Steckler R, Pesek A, Knoblauch J, Rochford J, Jensen VB. The Quatranasia: A Multi-Chamber Euthanasia Unit. 69th American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, 2018.
- Barrera A, Duran A, Mitchell J, Tinkey P, Jensen VB. The Dirty Truth: An Electronic Device Sanitation Study. 69th Annual American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, 2018. PMID: 30236173.
- Jensen VB. How to Set Up and Maintain Patient Derived Xenograft Colonies in IVCs. Thailand Association of Laboratory Animal Science, Bangkok, Thailand, 2018.
- Jensen VB. Setting Up a Gnotobiotic System Using IVC. Thailand Association of Laboratory Animal Science, Bangkok, Thailand, 2018.
- Roberts K, Duran AF, Guio J, Gopalakrishnan V, Nezi L, Wargo J, Jensen VB. Keeping the "Known" in Gnotobiotics: A Minimalist Approach. 56th Annual Texas Branch American Association of Laboratory Animal Science, 2018.
- Morrell M, Zhang A, Jensen V, Alvarez C, Schadler K. Exercise Impacts Tumor Vasculature and Metastasis in Ewing Sarcoma. Connective Tissue Oncology Society Annual Meeting, 2017.
- Jensen VB. Housing Practice of Patient Derived Xenograft Models. National American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, 68th Annual Meeting, 2017.
- Jensen VB, Craig S. Animal Models in Cancer Nanotechnology- Nanotechnology in Non-Rodent Models. Asian Federation of Laboratory Animal Science Associations, Singapore, 2016.
- Mamenko M, Zaika O, Prieto MC, Jensen VB, Doris PA, Navar LG, Pochynyuk O. Coordinated Regulation of ENaC Activity in the Distal Nephron by Aldosterone and Ang II. Experimental Biology Meeting, San Diego, CA, 2014.
- Humphreys AF, Pageon L, Trimble AL, Mendoza A, Schwiebert R, Jensen, VB. Peritoneal Mesothelioma in a Ferret. 52nd Annual Texas Branch American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, 2014.
- Bird NK, Greaver JL, Trimble AL, Stavinoha CI, Work RK, Jensen VB. Efficacy of a Novel Foam E-collar to Promote Comfort and to Inhibit Self-Mutilation During Postsurgical Recovery in the Watanabe Rabbit and Rodents. 64th Annual American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, 2013.
- Fowlkes N, Whitley E, Gagea M, Swain J, Lockworth C, Ueno N, Jensen V. Macrophage Activation Syndrome in Humanized NOD.Cg-Prkdc^SCIDIl2rg^tm1wjl/SzJ (NSG) Expressing Human Cytokines IL-3, GM-CSF, and SCF (NSG-SGM3) After Engraftment with Human CD34+ Hematopoietic Stem Cells. American College of Veterinary Pathologists Conference:130. e-Pub 2019.
Book Chapters
- Jensen Behrana V, Craig SL. Animal Cancer Therapy Models – Ready Translation to Humans. In: Locoregional Radionuclide Cancer Therapy: Clinical and Scientific Aspects. Springer International Publishing: Springer Nature Switzerland AG, 189-223, 2020.
- Craig S, Jensen VB. Animal Models in Cancer Nanotechnology. In: Nanotechnology in Cancer. Elsevier Inc, 45-69, 2016.