Michael W. Sanderson

Headshot of Dr. Mike SandersonProfessor, Epidemiology and Beef Production
Associate Director, Center for Outcomes Research and Epidemiology
W.S & E.C Jones Professor of Epidemiology

DVM (1988), Colorado State University
MS (1995), Washington State University
Diplomate (1995), American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine (Epidemiology Specialty)

Kansas State University
Phone: 785-532-4264
Email

Research

My research team is focused on the epidemiology of disease and decreased production in beef operations. We apply the tools of epidemiology and simulation modeling to identify risks and facilitate decision making. Our research includes modeling biosecurity practices for beef operations including the use of Risk Analysis to identify optimal Biosecurity and Management programs for diseases such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex, Bovine Viral Diarrhea and Tritrichomonas foetus.

We are also actively involved in researching livestock movement networks and the disease and economic effects of a Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak in the U.S. We collect data on livestock contact networks at the individual animal and herd level and are modeling the spread and impact of FMD within and between herds in the US. We have also worked on the Secure Beef Supply plan for FMD control and continuity of business for beef producers in the face of an FMD outbreak.

Our research efforts also include the efficient and safe production of beef. Specifically, our observational research is focused on cattle feedlot pen contact networks and modeling the shedding dynamics and transmission of generic E. coli through the feedlot pen environment as a model for shiga-toxin producing E. coli.

Teaching and Mentoring

I teach the Intermediate Epidemiology class for graduate and MPH students, an Introduction to Disease Modeling class and a Quantitative Risk Analysis section for graduate students. I also and mentor and advise MPH, MS and PhD graduate students.