Browse our featured faculty and their research. For the full CPB directory click here.
Uma Aryal
Research Associate Professor
Research Information:
His research goal is to obtain mechanistic view of cellular pathways and processes using systems-level knowledge. Uma has published more than 30 peer reviewed research and review articles. At the Bindley, Dr. Aryal continues working with other researchers at the interface between biology and proteomics, and is interested to develop new MS-based tools to discover new protein complexes, and protein-protein interactions.More Information »
Wendy Beauvais, BVetMed, MSc (VetEpi), PhD
Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health
Research Information:
SOCIETAL IMPACT OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES ON PEOPLE AND ANIMALS at the BEAUVAIS LABOur group combines interdisciplinary field studies and mathematical modelling to further understanding of complex global health challenges, with the ultimate goal of reducing the societal impacts of infectious diseases of people and animals. Our current research portfolio is funded by USDA, the National Pork Board, and the Morris Animal Foundation, and falls into two broad priority areas: (1) developing and testing behavioral interventions to control infectious pathogens and antimicrobial resistance; and (2) elucidating the role of environmental transmission in the spread of infectious organisms. A particularly emergent and exciting area of research concerns the role of free-living amoebae in the environmental transmission of agricultural pathogens; this is collaborative work with Dr. Christopher Rice in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology at Purdue Veterinary Medicine.
The COVID-19 pandemic has renewed and elevated public awareness of the societal impacts of infectious organisms; particularly those with pandemic potential. As a veterinary epidemiologist I am primarily interested in the control of diseases that impact agricultural animals and wildlife – especially those that can spill over between these sectors, such as high pathogenic avian influenza. These diseases and their necessary control measures have the potential to impact food supply systems, trade, biodiversity and animal welfare – as well as leading to increased risks of the emergence of organisms with pandemic potential, affecting human populations directly. Antimicrobial resistance in animal and human populations poses a similarly complex threat, and already leads to millions of human deaths and financial losses globally, with the no simple solution in sight.
My group draws strengths from training in quantitative epidemiological methods including mathematical modelling and the design and implementation of quantitative surveys of animal owners. We also draw strengths from collaborating with others from vastly different technical backgrounds in order to tackle the complex and multidimensional issues surrounding infectious diseases e.g. anthropologists, health communication specialists and trainers.
Developing and rigorously testing educational interventions that change attitudes towards antimicrobial use or other disease control measures that require buy-in from animal owners is a lengthy process that requires significant researcher time to generate evidence. Further, elucidating the role of amoebae in transmission of infectious organisms affecting agriculture will require a combination of laboratory work and extensive field work. Our group of students and collaborators has the technical skills to generate valuable data and evidence, given these inputs.
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Meaghan Maureen Broman, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Assistant Professor, Diagnostic Pathology
Research Information:
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Abigail Cox, DVM, PhD
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF VETERINARY ANATOMIC PATHOLOGY
Research Information:
Dr. Abby Cox pursues a unique area of translational research that focuses on understanding the pathophysiology of voice disorders and the gross and microscopic anatomy of the vocal folds across species. Her research explores the intersection of pathology, physiology, histology, and phonation mechanics that affects 7.5 million people with voice problems in the United States. She has published peer-reviewed articles in her laryngopathology research and has presented her research at local and national meetings. She maintains ongoing research grant support for her projects dealing with vocal fold pathobiology and biomechanics.More Information »
Candace Croney, PhD
ASSOCIATE VICE PROVOST OF DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING AND DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR ANIMAL WELFARE SCIENCE AND PROFESSOR OF ANIMAL BEHAVIOR AND WELL-BEING
Research Information:
Dr. Candace Croney's goal is to generate new information about best care practices for agricultural and companion animals. She uses animals' behavioral, cognitive and physical health responses to evaluate their quality of life, focusing on dogs in commercial breeding kennels, confined cats, and farmed pigs. She also studies to understand the ethical implications of animal care and use decisions, and public perceptions of animal agriculture, animal welfare and related policies. The results of her studies are used by educators, farmers, retailers, restaurant chains, pet industry groups, governmental and non-governmental organizations focused on improving animal welfare and public outreach. Her research on canine welfare recently resulted in a new national certification program that sets rigorous standards for the care of dogs and puppies by professional dog breeders.More Information »
Sriveny Dangoudoubiyam
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF VETERINARY PARISITOLOGY
Research Information:
Dr. Sriveny Dangoudoubiyam researchs zoonotic ascarids and larva migrans Anthelmintic resistance in parasites host-pathogenic interaction of tissue-cyst producing coccidia.More Information »
Amanda Darbyshire, DVM, Diplomate, ACLAM
Laboratory Animal Veterinarian
Research Information:
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Ben Elzey
RESEARCH ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Research Information:
Dr. Bennett D. Elzey is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology. His research interests include investigating and understanding the immunosuppressive role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells that prevents effective immunotherapy of cancers, and the role platelet CD40 Ligand plays in shaping the adaptive immune response. He is also the Director of the Biological Evaluation Shared Resource in the Purdue University Center for Cancer Research where Center members’ novel anti-tumor drugs or therapies can be tested for efficacy in rodent models for most cancer types.
https://www.cancerresearch.purdue.edu/research/resources/biological-evaluation
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Ahmed Abdelkhalek Hassan, BSPharm, PhD
Research Assistant Professor
Research Information:
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Harm HogenEsch, DVM, PhD
PROFESSOR OF IMMUNOPATHOLOGY
Research Information:
VACCINE DEVELOPMENT & ADJUVANTS - HOGENESCH RESEARCH GROUP
The HogenEsch Research Group is interested in improving the efficacy of vaccines by developing new adjuvants and better vaccine adjuvant formulations.
Adjuvants (the term is derived from the Latin word adjuvare = to help) are substances added to vaccines to enhance the immune response and to induce the type of immune response that provides optimal protection following vaccination.
Aluminum-containing adjuvants are commonly used in human vaccines, but other adjuvants such as oil-in-water emulsions have recently been introduced for a few licensed vaccines. Vaccines for use in animals contain a broad variety of adjuvants including aluminum adjuvants, oil emulsions, liposomes and polymers. We are investigating how aluminum-containing adjuvants work and ways to improve the efficacy of these adjuvants. A second project is focused on the development of completely new adjuvants based on plant-derived nanoparticles.
Our lab is also interested in developing vaccines to control wildlife populations such as deer and horses. Such immunocontraceptives induce immune responses that transiently reduce the fertility of animals.
Immunocontraceptive Vaccines for Wildlife
Control of wildlife populations has become important as their natural habitats decrease in size and and natural predators disappear. This includes white-tailed deer in suburban areas, wild horses and burros in the western US, and feral pigs. Lethal control methods are not always effective, desirable, or safe. Alternative methods are needed to control wildlife populations.
Immunocontraception is aimed at mobilizing the immune system to reduce fertility by preventing fertilization of oocytes or by neutralizing hormones. Vaccines that induce immune responses against zona pellucida (ZP) proteins or against gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) have been shown to induce transient infertility in a variety of species.
Our research is aimed at developing a next generation immunocontraceptive vaccine that is safe, easy to administer and effective.
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Stephen B. Hooser, DVM, PhD, DABVT
PROFESSOR OF TOXICOLOGY AND HEAD, TOXICOLOGY SECTION, ADDL; DIPLOMATE, AND PAST PRESIDENT, AMERICAN BOARD OF VETERINARY TOXICOLOGY
Research Information:
ANALYTICAL TOXICOLOGY SECTION - ANIMAL DISEASE DIAGNOSTIC LABBlood, serum and tissues from companion animals & livestock, water, and feedstuffs can be tested for the presence of heavy metals (e.g. lead and others), pesticides (e.g. insecticides of concern (Toxicant Screen, GC/MS), anticoagulant rodenticides), toxic chemical compounds (e.g. Toxicant Screen, GC/MS), or normal body nutrients such as trace minerals (copper & zinc) and vitamin E.
Frequent requests: Blood and tissues can be analyzed for heavy metals such as lead, or for trace minerals & nutrients such as copper, selenium and zinc. Feedstuffs can be tested for mycotoxins (e.g. aflatoxin, fumonisin, zearalenone, and vomitoxin) and minerals. Water can be examined for harmful algal blooms, and associated toxins as well as minerals or nitrates.
Analytical toxicology testing is used to diagnose the health status of animals, or to diagnose the causes of illness. These can be used to either treat an ongoing illness/poisoning or to treat nutritional disorders. Analytes of interest in companion animal medicine include the metals copper, lead, selenium and zinc. In addition, poisoning resulting from exposure to insecticides (organophosphates/carbamates), mycotoxins (e.g. aflatoxin and fumonisin), or toxins in harmful algal blooms (e.g. microcystin) can be detected allowing for diagnosis and possible treatment.
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Christoph Konradt, PhD
Assistant Professor of Immunology
Research Information:
Research Focus 1: The role of EC in the immune response
There are more than 10 trillion EC in the human body, that cover 4000 m2, and these are an important replicative niche for a subset of micro-organisms such as Dengue virus, West Nile Virus, CMV, S. aureus and T. gondii. For many micro-organisms the ability to infect EC is a key part of their pathogenesis. Indeed, EC express TLR and influence coagulation and neutrophil recruitment and their activation can lead to vascular damage, while expression of adhesion molecules promotes extravasation of inflammatory cells. Numerous in vitro studies have demonstrated that EC can be activated by cytokines to limit viral, bacterial and parasite replication. Furthermore, evidence that EC interact with the adaptive response is implicit in the ability of EC to present MHC class I & II restricted antigens. However, whether EC antigen presentation via MHC-I or MHC-II has a tolerogenic or inflammatory role during infection remains unclear. Therefore, there is a major knowledge gap in our understanding in the involvement of EC in orchestrating a T cell response or how the immune system reacts to infected EC in vivo.
Research Focus 2: Immune responses at the Maternal-Fetal Interface
The maternal-fetal interface is the interface between the uterine mucosa and the extraembryonic tissues of the developing conceptus. The placenta functions as the primary nutrient and gas exchange organ of the fetus by diverting maternal blood flow from the uterus. Once inside the placenta, maternal blood exchanges nutrients, gases, and metabolic waste products with fetal blood coursing through a physically separate vasculature that connects to the fetus via the umbilical cord. A successful pregnancy involves complex interactions between fetal trophoblasts, endothelial cells and maternal decidual immune cells, creating an immunologically unique site that allows the tolerance to the allogenic fetus but still maintains host defense against possible pathogens. Infections are a well-described cause for fetal losses and stillbirths, as well as for perinatal morbidity. Indeed, infections are accounted for up to 15% of early miscarriages and up to 66% of late miscarriages. Moreover, infections can further lead to preterm birth or infants with birth defects leading to lifelong disabilities. This is accompanied with significant health care costs and a burden for the mothers mental health and psychological wellbeing. Immune responses at the maternal-fetal interface during infection are poorly understood and there is a real need for a better understanding of the immunological mechanisms at this site.
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Nadia Atallah Lanman, PhD
RESEARCH ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Research Information:
Dr. Nadia Lanman is a Research Assistant Professor of Comparative Pathobiology and the Manager of the Purdue Collaborative Core for Cancer Bioinformatics. Dr. Lanman’s research interests are focused on using bioinformatics to gain insights into cancer biology. Cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease, which complicates identification of proper treatment protocols, of ongogenic drivers, and in alterations which lead to treatment resistance. Using a combination of genotypic, transcriptomic, epigenetic, and phenotypic information can lead to a greater understanding of the drivers of oncogenesis as well as the development of resistance to chemotherapy. Dr. Lanman is paticularly interested in data integration and the use of large-scale datasets to generate predictive models that can inform treatment decisions. An additional research interest is in the development of tools that provide biological insights from high throughput sequencing data, particularly in the field of epigenomics.More Information »
Tsang long Lin
Professor, Veterinary Pathology
Research Information:
Research Interests:
Diagnostic pathology
Molecular pathology and immunohistopathology of infectious, toxic and neoplastic diseases
Avian, swine and fish laboratory animal pathology
Anatomic Pathology
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Joanne B. Messick, VMD, PhD
PROFESSOR OF VETERINARY CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
Research Information:
Dr. Joanne Messick’s lab focuses on hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas), blood-borne bacteria that targets red blood cells of many different mammalian species (cats, dogs, pigs, sheep, alpacas, and others). The bacteria may cause a primary infection (acute hemolytic anemia) in cats and sheep, while chronic, often asymptomatic infection in pigs and alpacas is the more common presentation. It’s not clear why these hemoplasmas affect some of the host species differently. Those differences are a driving force behind the genomics research that Dr. Messick and her graduate students are doing on the bacteria. An additional area of research interest in the Messick lab is exploring the development of red blood cell antioxidant defenses in cats with diabetes. The cat’s cells are extremely sensitivity to damage by these radicals, especially their red blood cells. By studying the control of gene expression (microRNAs), they hope to identify the weak point(s) in the of the antioxidant mechanisms in feline red blood cells and target it therapeutically to reverse the red cell and systemic effects of free radicals.More Information »
Suresh K. Mittal, DVM, PhD
DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR OF VIROLOGY, UNIVERSITY FACULTY SCHOLAR, MEMBER OF PURDUE CANCER CENTER, AND MEMBER OF BINDLEY BIOSCIENCE CENTER
Research Information:
Dr. Suresh Mittal is one of the leaders in designing novel adenoviral vectors for gene delivery. He is working for the development of a universal influenza vaccine taking into consideration of emerging avian influenza viruses. He is also developing strategies for immunotherapy for cancer. Recently he has initiated a collaborative program to develop an effective vaccine for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Other areas of his expertise include animal models for infectious diseases and cancer, and innate and adaptive immunity.More Information »
Sanjeev Narayanan, BVSc, PhD
PROFESSOR AND HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMPARATIVE PATHOBIOLOGY
Research Information:
Dr. Sanjeev Narayanan is a board certified Veterinary Pathologist and Veterinary Microbiologist. Dr. Narayanan’s research focuses on identifying tools and practices that reduce the use of antibiotics in food animals. Vaccination and feeding probiotics are two viable alternatives currently tested for their effectiveness in reducing the incidence of multidrug resistant bacteria in animal facilities. This research has tremendous impact on human health because it reduces the rise and spread of antibiotic resistance in our environment. Efforts are on to develop vaccines for important diseases of cattle currently controlled by antibiotic use, such as liver abscesses.
VACCINE PREVENTS LIVER ABSCESSES IN CATTLE
Our lab works on developing a vaccine to prevent liver abscesses caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum in feedlot cattle. Currently, tylosin and other antibiotics are used to conrol the incidence of this disease in feedlot cattle. Our research is focused on developing subunit vaccine to protect against diseases caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum, especially the liver abscesses in beef cattle.
F. necrophorum is the most common cause of liver abscesses in cattle. This condition adversely affects animal health and imposes a significant financial burden on the United States feedlot industry. Antibiotic administration is currently the main strategy for preventing F. necrophorum infections. With the popularity of natural and organic beef, as well as the increasing emphasis on the prudent use of antibiotics, vaccination is the best alternative and will be the most cost-effective and efficient approach for disease prevention. In the previous attempts, several vaccines for preventing F. necrophorum infections contained a bacterins or formalin-fixed culture supernatants. Our subunit vaccines contain specific outer membrane proteins and recombinant polypeptides derived from virulence factors, and have been shown to be effective in preventing experimental infectious challenge in mouse models.
We, along with our collaborators, have developed previous vaccines for F. necrophorum. Some were available in the market for a limited time. Those vaccines were as effective as tylosin treatment. However, they were abandoned because of the feedlot economics. With the current regulations
EA/EOU
from FDA-CVM and renewed interest in natural and organic beef, it might be the right time to test our new subunit vaccines in cattle for their efficacy in preventing liver abscesses. Our mouse model is a reliable system for evaluating vaccine effectiveness against F. necrophorum infections before initiating a cattle trial.
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Leanne Nieforth, PhD
Assistant Professor, Human-Animal Bond
Research Information:
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Deepti Pillai, BVSc, MVSc, PhD
Clinical Associate Professor, Diagnostic Microbiology/Section Head of Serology and Virology
Research Information:
VACCINE PREVENTS LIVER ABSCESSES IN CATTLEOur lab works on developing a vaccine to prevent liver abscesses caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum in feedlot cattle. Currently, tylosin and other antibiotics are used to conrol the incidence of this disease in feedlot cattle. Our research is focused on developing subunit vaccine to protect against diseases caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum, especially the liver abscesses in beef cattle.
F. necrophorum is the most common cause of liver abscesses in cattle. This condition adversely affects animal health and imposes a significant financial burden on the United States feedlot industry. Antibiotic administration is currently the main strategy for preventing F. necrophorum infections. With the popularity of natural and organic beef, as well as the increasing emphasis on the prudent use of antibiotics, vaccination is the best alternative and will be the most cost-effective and efficient approach for disease prevention. In the previous attempts, several vaccines for preventing F. necrophorum infections contained a bacterins or formalin-fixed culture supernatants. Our subunit vaccines contain specific outer membrane proteins and recombinant polypeptides derived from virulence factors, and have been shown to be effective in preventing experimental infectious challenge in mouse models.
We, along with our collaborators, have developed previous vaccines for F. necrophorum. Some were available in the market for a limited time. Those vaccines were as effective as tylosin treatment. However, they were abandoned because of the feedlot economics. With the current regulations from FDA-CVM and renewed interest in natural and organic beef, it might be the right time to test our new subunit vaccines in cattle for their efficacy in preventing liver abscesses. Our mouse model is a reliable system for evaluating vaccine effectiveness against F. necrophorum infections before initiating a cattle trial.
Research Interests:
Antimicrobial resistance
Identifying critical bacterial targets as vaccine candidates
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Andrea Santos, DVM, MSc, PhD
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF VETERINARY CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
Research Information:
Dr. Andrea Santos’ research will be focused on the role of microRNAs in the regulation of different cancers and their use as biomarkers for early diagnosis of disease. MicroRNAs are small molecules composed of genetic material and are responsible for the gene regulation in several biological processes in health. These circulating molecules are altered in several diseases making them excellent candidates for biomarker discovery. Many studies in human and animal cancers have shown that these altered microRNAs can be detected in early stages of cancers, increasing the chance of successful treatment. It has been also reported that some microRNAs can be used to predict cancer behavior, as well as to monitor the efficacy of the treatment. Given many similarities between some canine and human cancers, the research will focus on diseases that can use the dog as an animal model for humans.More Information »
Hsin-Yi Weng, BVM, MPH, PhD
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF CLINICAL/ANALYTICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
Research Information:
Dr. Hsin-Yi Weng’s main research interests are in applying epidemiologic methods to studies promoting animal health and welfare and human-animal interactions. Three current research directions are 1) developing proactive risk models for identification of ‘hot spots’ for animal disease introduction in Indiana utilizing routinely collected data; 2) establishing an animal disease surveillance program using free-text veterinary medical records; 3) investigating health effects of family pets on maternal and child health. The outcomes of the first two research directions are automatic computer programs that can generate streamline information for animal disease prevention. The overarching goal of the last research direction is to develop novel interventions that help new mothers maintain a healthy human-animal bond and utilize animal companionship to promote their and their children’s health.More Information »
Christina Wilson-Frank, PhD
CLINICAL ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF TOXICOLOGY AND HEAD CHEMIST, ADDL
Research Information:
Dr. Christina Wilson’s research, teaching, and engagement interests and activities are centered on veterinary toxicology and analytical toxicology as they relate to veterinary medicine. Her research interests, specifically, include methods development using MALDI-TOF MS for rapid detection of small molecule toxicants and protein toxins for diagnostic toxicology. With regard to teaching, in addition to teaching toxicology courses in the College of Veterinary Medicine, she is involved in and has an interest in teaching undergraduate and post-baccalaureate (DVM) students bench research in her toxicology laboratory. The laboratory research projects for students are intended to assist the toxicology laboratory in developing new diagnostic methods and teach them lab skills and basic research principles. Over the past several years, she has been involved in a variety of engagement activities. Her interest in engagement activities includes P-12 engagement through mentoring high school students in science projects, participating in career fair days at high schools and elementary schools, and giving presentations to various undergraduate student clubs at Purdue University.More Information »
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