The Department of Comparative Pathobiology (CPB) in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science (MS; thesis or non-thesis) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.
The Department of Comparative Pathobiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Purdue University, offers graduate instruction leading to the Master of Science (MS) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees to persons possessing the DVM degree and to those with a baccalaureate degree and comprehensive training in the biological sciences. Areas of study include animal welfare science and human-animal interaction, cancer biology, infectious diseases, bacteriology, epidemiology, immunology, laboratory and experimental medicine, parasitology, pathology, public health, toxicology, virology, and molecular genetics.
Earn your MS or PhD in Comparative Pathobiology at Purdue Veterinary Medicine. Study topics like cancer biology, infectious disease, public health, toxicology, and more. Open to DVMs and students with strong biological science backgrounds.
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Clinical Assistant Professor, Section Head, Genomic Diagnostics
Dr. Nelly O. Elshafie is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Section Head of Genomic Diagnostics at the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL), Purdue University. She leads the Genomic Diagnostics section, where she develops and implements next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based diagnostic assays for infectious diseases affecting companion animals, livestock, wildlife, and other veterinary species.
Her research interests include metagenomic sequencing, targeted next-generation sequencing, whole-genome sequencing, antimicrobial resistance, and the development and validation of molecular diagnostic assays. She has led and contributed to numerous projects involving emerging infectious diseases, vector-borne pathogens, respiratory pathogens, foodborne pathogens, and zoonotic disease surveillance. Her work also focuses on applying long-read sequencing technologies and advanced bioinformatics to enhance diagnostic accuracy and provide actionable information for veterinarians, producers, and public health professionals.
As Section Head of Genomic Diagnostics, Dr. Elshafie oversees the implementation of innovative genomic technologies in a clinical diagnostic setting, supports collaborative research across Purdue University and external institutions, and mentors students and trainees in molecular diagnostics and genomics. She is actively involved in multidisciplinary collaborations that bridge clinical diagnostics, infectious disease research, and precision veterinary medicine.
Dr. Elshafie's long-term goal is to advance genomic diagnostics by translating cutting-edge sequencing technologies into practical, high-impact tools that improve animal health, strengthen disease surveillance, and support One Health initiatives worldwide.
