CORE - Primary Faculty and Staff

David Renter David G. Renter, DVM, PhD

The Dr. Robert MacDonald Professor of Veterinary Medicine
Director, Center for Outcomes Research and Epidemiology
drenter@vet.k-state.edu
(785) 532-4801

Dr. Renter’s outcomes-based research enables valid data-driven decisions to improve animal health/well-being, food safety, production efficiency, and economic viability of animal health systems. He teaches epidemiology and mentors students in DVM, MPH, MS, and PhD programs.

Natalia Cernicchiaro Natalia Cernicchiaro, DVM, PhD

Professor, Epidemiology
Associate Director, Center for Outcomes Research and Epidemiology

ncernic@vet.k-state.edu
(785) 532-4241

Dr. Cernicchiaro's research focus is on the application of epidemiological concepts and methods, including multi-level modeling and knowledge synthesis and translation techniques, to design, implement and interpret observational and experimental studies pertaining to food safety, zoonoses, arthropod-borne diseases and production medicine. She teaches basic and advanced epidemiology courses and mentors students in the MPH, MS, and PhD programs.

Michael Sanderson Michael W. Sanderson DVM, MS, DACVPM-Epidemiology

W.S. & E.C. Jones Professor of Epidemiology
Associate Director, Center for Outcomes Research and Epidemiology
sandersn@vet.k-state.edu
(785) 532-4264

Dr. Sanderson’s research is focused on health, well-being and decreased production in livestock production enterprises, including transboundary disease risk and management. He applies the tools of epidemiology, risk analysis and disease modeling to facilitate optimal decision making. He teaches Epidemiology, Disease Modeling, Beef Production and mentors DVM, MS, MPH and PhD students.

hanthorn Christy Hanthorn, DVM, MS

Research Assistant Professor, Epidemiology
cjhanthorn@vet.k-state.edu

Dr. Hanthorn’s research focus is on beef cattle herd health, preventive medicine, and disease outbreak planning and preparedness. She teaches a veterinary course in epidemiology.

dixon

Andrea Dixon, PhD

Senior Data Scientist
aldixon@vet.k-state.edu

Andrea received her PhD from the School of Biological Sciences at Washington State University, where she focused on population genetics and the evolutionary mechanisms constraining species distributions. She then went on to work as a post-doctoral researcher at Rothamsted Research, using next generation sequencing data to investigate the population genetic structure of a winter-wheat crop weed with known herbicide resistance. Her research interests include evolutionary genetics and applied research focusing on improving animal health and agriculture.

Ashley ThackrahAshley Thackrah, MPH

Project Coordinator
cricket1@vet.k-state.edu

Ashley received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Health from Kansas State University. Her responsibilities include coordinating and tracking activities for the research and training programs of the center, monitoring budgets, assisting with reporting and data management, and providing administrative support for the CORE.