Skip to main content
College of Veterinary Medicine

PVM Directory / Rahul Nelli

Rahul Nelli, BVSc & AH, MVM, PhD

Rahul Nelli, BVSc & AH, MVM, PhD

Associate Professor, Molecular Diagnostics Section Head

Department of Comparative Pathobiology | Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine
625 Harrison Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907

765-494-7469
rnelli@purdue.edu

Nelli Lab | Google Scholar | LinkedIn | ORCID

About

Dr. Nelli’s work focuses on emerging infectious diseases, molecular diagnostics, and One Health solutions. He has pioneered advanced 3D organoid models across multiple animal species, providing powerful alternatives to traditional animal studies and advancing understanding of pathogen-host interactions, including highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1). Critical areas of investigation include the underlying risk factors for viral transmission at the animal-human interface, the evaluation of host susceptibility to these pathogens, and the analysis of factors contributing to pathogenesis.

Dr. Nelli has secured more than $4 million in competitive research funding, developed several diagnostic assays, and led the implementation of high-throughput, automated testing platforms that strengthen disease surveillance and outbreak response capabilities. His research has generated more than 40 peer-reviewed publications. Through collaborations with government agencies, industry leaders, and academic institutions around the world, Dr. Nelli translates scientific discoveries into practical solutions that protect animal health, strengthen food systems, and improve global public health resilience.

Education

2013 - PhD | University of Nottingham, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, UK
2007 - MVM | University of Glasgow, School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, UK
2005 - BVSc & AH | Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, India

Experience

08/2020–06/2026 | Assistant Research Professor, Iowa State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, USA
07/2026–08/2026 | Associate Research Professor, Iowa State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, USA
06/2013–12/2016 | Research Associate, Michigan State Uniersity, College of Veterinary Medicine, USA
05/2018–08/2020 | Senior Post-Doc Research Associate, Iowa State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, USA
01/2017–04/2018 | Visiting Research Associate, Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, USA