Skip to main content

Specialist in Infectious Disease Pathogenesis to Give Purdue Veterinary Conference Diversity Keynote with Pandemic as Backdrop

This year’s Diversity Keynote speaker for the Purdue Veterinary Conference is Dr. Ian Moore, a veterinarian who heads the Infectious Disease Pathogenesis Section at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).  A researcher whose collaborative studies include influenza viruses, tuberculosis, coronaviruses (MERS, SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2), human norovirus, and malaria, Dr. Moore will address diversity issues utilizing insights gained from his role as a scholar involved at the federal level in vaccine development.

A smiling man in a plaid suit jacket stands against a wall, conveying a professional and approachable demeanor.

Dr. Moore has stated that, “Animal and human health care no longer exist merely as disjointed issues, but are now tethered tightly together by the fabric of One Health with all of the world watching.”  As part of his keynote lecture, Dr. Moore will discuss this reality as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic exposing what he refers to as “gaping holes in the public health system.“ He explains that those gaping holes relate to the changing roles of veterinarians.  He notes that veterinarians traditionally serviced rural areas and provided general information about animal health and zoonotic diseases.  In contrast, he says veterinarians today have a much broader role in animal and human health, as well as health messaging and communications related to disease surveillance and the emergence of veterinary diseases, particularly those of importance to human health.  His lecture will include insights about the role of veterinary medicine in identifying emerging viruses, developing vaccines and predicting the next pandemic.

Dr. Moore is a native of Brewton, Ala. who earned his Bachelor of Science degree in poultry science and his DVM degree in 2002 and 2006, respectively, at Tuskegee University.  He then began a dual veterinary anatomic pathology residency and PhD program at Michigan State University’s Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health in partnership with the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  After completing his three-year residency program and PhD graduate coursework, Dr. Moore transitioned to the NIH where, under the mentorship of Dr. Kanta Subbarao, a world-renowned influenza researcher, he completed his dissertation focused on the pathogenesis and immunology of influenza viruses in animal models. 

After earning his PhD, Dr. Moore was recruited to stay on at NIH and asked to head the Infectious Disease Pathogenesis Section (IDPS) of the NIAID. The IDPS is a molecular pathology research core laboratory that currently supports more than 70 NIH infectious disease investigators, spanning a wide array of infectious disease research projects.  Dr. Moore has co-authored over 50 publications in journals including Nature, The Journal of Infectious Diseases, and the New England Journal of Medicine.  Two of Dr. Moore’s most notable research accomplishments were his identification of the target cell for human norovirus infection and, more recently, his role in performing the pre-clinical safety and efficacy studies for the NIH/Moderna COVID-19 vaccine candidate (mRNA-1273) ahead of human clinical trials and FDA Emergency Use Authorization.

The 2021 Purdue Veterinary Conference will  be held virtually September 7-10, offering four days of high-quality tracks on small animal, equine, food animal, practice management, exotics, and topics of interest for veterinary nurses. Attendees can earn up to 24 hours of continuing education, and will have access to a virtual exhibit hall.

Online registration closes on Tuesday, September 7.  If you miss the online registration deadline, you still will be able to email confreg@purdue.edu to register.

Click here for more information on the conference, including the conference schedule. Click here to register today.

Writer(s): Ben Shepard | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

Purdue Basic Medical Sciences faculty member honored with Showalter Early Career Award

Purdue University has named a dozen faculty members as recipients of the 2026 Showalter Early Career Awards, including Pradip Bajgain, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences. The 12 early career faculty members received the research support for their innovative projects that address pressing challenges in human health.

Purdue veterinary technology student named as one of 20 Tuition for Vet Techs Scholarship recipients

As part of the celebration of National Veterinary Technician Week, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) and Boehringer Ingelheim announced the names of 20 veterinary technician students and recent graduates who have been awarded $2,500 each in tuition assistance. One of the recipients is third-year Purdue veterinary technology student Naailah Lane.

Thank you Veterinary Technicians!

Veterinary technicians and technologists and veterinary technology students are visible every day in and around the College of Veterinary Medicine, including in Lynn Hall, the Brunner Purdue Veterinary Hospital Complex, and Caesars Entertainment Equine Specialty Hospital. Last week, these individuals were appropriately celebrated as essential members of the veterinary medical team as the college hosted several events in honor of National Veterinary Technician Week, which was observed this year October 18-24.

Proclamation designates November 3, 2026 as Indiana One Health Day

As a result of an effort spearheaded by the National Association of Federal Veterinarians, at least a dozen states, including Indiana, are recognizing November 3 as One Health Day.  Governor Mike Braun issued a proclamation to that effect for Indiana, contributing to a growing national movement to advance collaboration among health professionals, veterinarians, agricultural and environmental scientists, policymakers, and communities.

“Paws Up” for Dr. Myles McAtee and Holly Aschliman, RVT – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week we are pleased to give a heart-felt Paws Up to Dr. Myles McAtee, a first-year oncology resident, and Holly Aschliman, RVT, a veterinary technician in Medical Oncology.