Faculty Mentors & Research Interests

Name and Degree, Department and Research Interests
Raghu Amachawadi, BVSc, MS, PhD agraghav@vet.k-state.edu Assistant Professor, Clinical Sciences Dr. Raghu Amachawadi’s research interests are in antimicrobial resistance among gut commensals and foodborne pathogens of swine and cattle production systems. Specifically, on understanding the mechanisms involved in the propagation and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance and on the role of non-antibiotic alternatives in contribution and mitigation of antimicrobial resistance in gut bacteria, and on microbiome and metagenomics analyses of the gut of cattle and swine. His research interests also include both aerobic and or anaerobic bacterial flora of liver abscesses and its prevention in feedlot cattle.
Mike Apley, DVM. PhD, DACVCP mapley@vet.k-state.edu Professor, Clinical Sciences Dr. Mike Apley's research is focused on food animal pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of veterinary drugs.
Katsura Asano, PhD kasano@ksu.edu Professor, Biology Dr. Katsura Asano studies regulation of protein biosynthesis, yeast genetics and biochemistry, and molecular and cell biology of insects and cancer.
Chieko Azuma, DVM, PhD, DACVR-RO, CPIA chieko@vet.k-state.edu Clinical Associate Professor, Clinical Sciences Dr. Chieko Azuma's research is focused on investigating the biological effects of radiation therapy and evaluation of treatment response in veterinary patients. She also has interests in palliative care and pain management, and research ethics and compliance.
Matt Basel, PhD mbasel@k-state.edu Clinical Assistant Professor, Anatomy & Physiology Dr. Matt Basel’s research is focused on cancer therapy, especially hyperthermia and nanomedicine, and on designing better models for cancer research.
Brad Benkhe, PhD bjbehnke@k-state.edu Professor, Kinesiology Dr. Brad Behnke’s research involves manipulation of tumor microenvironments to enhance cancer therapies, cardiovascular regulation of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue perfusion with age, and pathological conditions including diabetes, heart failure, and mechanical failure.
Stefan Bossmann, PhD sbossman@ksu.edu University Distinguished Professor, Chemistry Dr. Stefan Bossmann studies cell-mediated delivery of drugs to tumors.
Mary Cain, PhD mecain@ksu.edu Professor, Psychology Dr. Mary Cain studies the neurobiological basis of drug use using a rodent model.
Natalia Cernicchiaro, DVM MS PhD ncernic@vet.k-state.edu Associate Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology Dr. Natalia Cernicchiaro research focus is on veterinary epidemiology, food safety, zoonoses and production medicine. Research interests include 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. Current research projects include understanding the distribution and determinants of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli non-O157, Salmonella and respiratory disease organisms in cattle and cattle production systems.
Kyeong-Ok Chang, DVM, MS, PhD kchang@vet.k-state.edu Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology The development of therapeutic small molecules against various viruses including noroviruses, influenza virus and rotaviruses within vitro screening system and animal models such as (gnotobiotic) pigs and mice.
Jeba Chelladurai, BVSc & AH, MS, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology) jebaj@vet.k-state.edu Assistant Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology Pharmacological targets and resistance markers in parasitic nematodes.
Hans Coetzee, BVSc, PhD jcoetzee@vet.k-state.edu Professor and Head, Anatomy & Physiology Dr. Hans Coetzee’s research works to identify and validate biomarkers of pain in animal models and develop new analgesic drug regimens.
Lee Cohnstaedt, PhD lee.cohnstaedt@ars.usda.gov USDA Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit, Adjunct Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology Dr. Lee Cohnstaedt’s research focuses on mosquito-borne zoonotic pathogens such as Rift Valley fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile viruses. He also studies methods to reduce biting midge (culicoides) transmitted epizootic hemorrhagic disease and bluetongue virus transmission on cervid farms. The lab uses both field and lab projects to determine the best methods to reduce disease transmission by mosquito and biting midge disease vectors.
Jeff Comer, PhD jeffcomer@ksu.edu Associate Professor, Anatomy & Physiology Dr. Jeff Comer studies molecular simulation of interactions between biological molecules and synthetic nanostructures, with a particular focus on the thermodynamics and kinetics of binding, transmembrane transport of nanoparticles, and high-throughput screening.
Steven Copp, PhD scopp@k-state.edu Associate Professor, Kinesiology Dr. Steven Copp’s research interest is autonomic control of circulation during exercise in health and cardiovascular disease.
Elizabeth Davis, DVM, PhD Edavis@vet.k-state.edu Professor and Head, Clinical Sciences The primary focus of my research has involved mechanisms of innate immunity in horses. The current series of investigations involves examining the mechanism of immune activation with specific DNA sequences called CpG DNA. We are examining how bacterial DNA induces these responses and which sequences are the most effective at inducing immune activation. The ultimate goal of such investigations will be to use CpG DNA in combination with vaccine antigens so that we can safely and effectively make vaccines more powerful. Investigations will utilize cellular proliferation, cytokine gene expression and molecular cloning and sequencing assays.
Sally Davis, DVM, PhD asally@vet.k-state.edu Assistant Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology Dr. Sally Davis studies host-pathogen interactions for agents including Influenza A virus, Rift Valley Fever Virus, and Pneumocystis spp, as well as development of in vitro systems that better modle aspects of in vivo infections.
Robert DeLong, MS, PhD robertdelong@vet.k-state.edu Associate Professor, Anatomy & Physiology The group studies the interaction, stabilization and delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics and proteins by nanoparticles, with a particular interest in their anti-cancer, biochemical and immunological activity.
Barbara Drolet, MS, PhD barbara.drolet@ars.usda.gov USDA Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit Adjunct Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology Dr. Barbara Drolet’s research focuses on insect-transmitted diseases of livestock and wildlife, such as bluetongue, epizootic hemorrhagic disease, vesicular stomatitis, and Rift Valley fever viruses. Her research includes developing arboviral immunodiagnostics, conducting animal pathogenesis and vector competence studies, investigating the molecular interactions between arboviruses and their mammalian and insect hosts, and determining the effects of insect vector saliva on mammalian immune responses and arbovirus infection following bite transmission.
Sherry Fleming, PhD sdfleming@k-state.edu Professor, Biology Dr. Sherry Fleming’s research focuses on the innate immune response and understanding the mechanisms of an excessive response during sterile injury such as surgery or pre-eclampsia. Importantly, we are determining the role of sex on the innate response and the ability of small therapeutics to inhibit the excessive response without inhibiting the total immune response. An additional project examines the ability of the small therapeutics to inhibit melanoma growth.
Peying Fong, PhD pfong@vet.k-state.edu Associate Professor, Anatomy & Physiology Regulation of sodium, chloride and iodide transport by epithelial cells.
Roman Ganta, PhD rganta@vet.k-state.edu Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology Dr. Roman Ganta studies Ehrlichia and Anaplasma vector-borne diseases, assessing pathogen molecular structure, host response, the effect of tick and host cell environments on the pathogens’ adaptation, mutagenesis, vaccine development, and developing molecular diagnostic tests.
Brian Geisbrecht, PhD geisbrechtb@ksu.edu Professor, Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics Dr. Brian Geisbrecht studies Staphylococcus aureus with a multidisciplinary approach including innate immunity, molecular basis of infectious diseases and host-pathogen interactions, and structural biology and molecular recognition.
Erica Geisbrecht, PhD geisbrechte@ksu.edu Professor, Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics Dr. Erica Geisbrecht studies formation and maintenance of muscle and heart tissue, biochemistry and molecular genetics of Drosophila, and cell signaling in development.
Phil Hardwidge, PhD hardwidg@vet.k-state.edu Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology Dr. Phil Hardwidge studies several virotypes of E. coli causing diarrhea and malnutrition in humans and livestock.
Brian Herrin, DVM, PhD bhh@vet.k-state.edu Assistant Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology Dr. Brian Herrin’s primary research objectives are focused on the epidemiology and control of ticks and tick-borne diseases. Some of his recent interests are the epidemiology Lyme borreliosis in humans and dogs in North America, evaluation of diagnostic assays for tick-borne diseases, and surveillance of ticks and tick-borne diseases of horses. Although his research focus is on ticks, Dr. Herrin enjoys working with all parasites of veterinary importance through the diagnostic service and teaching/outreach opportunities.
Lindsey Hulbert, BS, MS, PhD lhulbert@k-state.edu Associate Professor, Animal Science Dr. Lindsey Hulbert's research is focused on the development and validation of automated technologies to monitor health and welfare of domestic animals, understanding the effects of early-life stressors on nutritive and non-nutritive oral behaviors and immunity in calves, improving resilience to stressors and immunocomptence through housing, management, and feeding strategies in calves and pigs, and determining biomarkers of stress and inflammation for predicting and identifying disease.
Maria Jugan, DVM, MS, DACVIM mjugan@vet.k-state.edu Assistant Professor, Clinical Sciences Dr. Maria Jugan’s research interests are in feline and canine gastrointestinal disease, nutrient malabsorption in feline IBD, alterations in enteroendocrine responses in IBD, and therapeutic manipulations (e.g. fecal transplantation, probiotics) of the GI microbiome and metabolome in both acute and chronic small animal enteropathies.
Yunjeong Kim, DVM, PhD, DACVM ykim@vet.k-state.edu Associate Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology Dr. Yunjeong Kim is interested in the development of therapeutic agents for small animal viral diseases including feline infectious peritonitis and feline calicivirus infection as well as understanding the role of host cellular proteases in viral pathogenesis.
Kim Kirkpatrick, PhD kirkpatr@ksu.edu University Distinguished Professor, Psychological Sciences Dr. Kim Kirkpatrick studies the role of timing and reward processes in determining impulsive and risky choice in rats.
Michael Kleinhenz, DVM, PhD mkleinhe@vet.k-state.edu Assistant Professor, Clinical Sciences. Food animal therapeutics and pain assessment in food animals.
Butch KuKanich, DVM, PhD, DACVCP skukanic@vet.k-state.edu Professor, Anatomy & Physiology Evaluation and design of rational drug dosages through the use of pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic studies.
Kate KuKanich, DVM, PhD, DACVIM kstenske@vet.k-state.edu Professor, Clinical Sciences One Health research including antimicrobial stewardship, hand hygiene, zoonotic diseases, fungal disease, UTIs, and opioids.
Robert Larson, DVM, PhD rlarson@vet.k-state.edu Professor, Clinical Sciences Investigation of the role of disease in beef cattle on production efficiency, evaluation of disease intervention strategies.
Dylan Lutter, DVM, MS, DACVS-LA, CERP, CAC dlutter@vet.k-state.edu Clinical Assistant Professor, Clinical Sciences Regenerative medicine, wound healing, equine rehabilitation therapies
Jessica Meekins, DVM, DACVO jslack@vet.k-state.edu Associate Professor, Clinical Sciences Dr. Jessica Meekins’ clinical research interests include management of viral surface ocular diseases in cats and investigating comparative ophthalmology in exotic/non-domestic species.
Kristin Michel, PhD kmichel@ksu.edu Associate Professor, Biology Dr. Kristen Michel studies host-pathogen interactions important for malaria and arboviral disease transmission.
Thomas Mueller, PhD muellert@ksu.edu Research Assistant Professor, Biology Dr. Thomas Mueller studies evolutionary and developmental neuroscience, brain atlases, forebrain evolution, neural circuits of emotion, and amygdala-hypothalamic connectivity.
Timothy Musch, PhD musch@vet.k-state.edu University Distinguished Professor, Anatomy & Physiology The mechanisms associated with the large degree of exercise intolerance that develops in the chronic heart failure (CHF) syndrome.
Waithaka Mwangi, PhD wmwangi@vet.k-state.edu Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology My research is focused on development of livestock vaccines, immune stimulants for adjuvant development, and antibody-based human and companion animal therapeutics.
T.G. Nagaraja, BVSc, MVSc, PhD tnagaraj@vet.k-state.edu University Distinguished Professor of Veterinary Microbiology My research interest is in the field of Gut Microbiology of cattle and swine, particularly on the role of microbes in gut function and dysfunction. Currently, my laboratory is involved in the following research areas: Foodborne pathogens, such as Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter, and antimicrobial resistance of gut bacteria in cattle and swine; bacterial flora of liver abscesses, virulence factors and pathogenic mechanisms of Fusobacterium necrophorum, with the long term goal of developing an efficacious vaccine.
Megan C. Niederwerder, DVM, PhD mniederwerder@vet.k-state.edu Associate Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology Dr. Megan Niederwerder's laboratory is focused on investigating viral diseases of swine, including the role of the microbiome in outcome following viral infection and the risks for viral introduction and transmission.
Leela Norohna, DVM, PhD leela.noronha@usda.gov USDA Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit Adjunct Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology Dr. Leela Noronha studies the interactions of mammalian hosts, insect vectors, and viral pathogens involved in the transmission of arboviral diseases. She currently focuses on emerging and re-emerging diseases that affect livestock, wildlife, and humans, including Japanese encephalitis and Rift Valley fever.
Yoonseong Park, PhD ypark@ksu.edu Professor, Entomology Dr. Yoonseong Park studies arthropod signaling peptides and their receptors, signaling pathways for tick salivary secretion, and mechanisms of systemic RNA interference.
Charles Pickens, PhD pickens@ksu.edu Assistant Professor, Psychological Sciences Dr. Charles Pickens studies how exposure to CNS depressants can lead to long-term alterations in the brain circuits involved in learning, memory, and decision making.
David Poole, MS, PhD poole@vet.k-state.edu University Distinguished Professor, Anatomy & Physiology Pulmonary gas exchange, O2 transport and muscle microcirculation in health and determining the mechanistic bases for dysfunction in chronic disease (i.e., emphysema, heart failure, diabetes) and also aging.
Punit Prakash, PhD prakashp@k-state.edu Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering Dr. Punit Prakash’s research is focused on developing technologies for enabling precise image-guided medical and cancer interventions, including microwave thermal therapy with MRI guidance.
David Renter, DVM, PhD drenter@vet.k-state.edu Professor, and Director Center for Outcomes Research and Epidemiology Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology Dr. David Renter’s research emphasizes the application and extension of epidemiologic principles and methods to enhance health and disease management. His outcomes-based research enables valid data-driven decisions to improve animal health/well-being, food safety, production efficiency, and economic viability of health systems.
Kathryn Reif, MSPH, PhD kreif@vet.k-state.edu Associate Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology My laboratory is interested in ticks and tick-borne diseases. We use a combination of in vitro and in vivo experimental models to study the determinants of pathogen infection in the tick vector, and how these infection determinants ultimately effect pathogen transmission from the tick. Projects in the lab range from basic to applied research, including: examining mechanisms of pathogen entry into tick host cells, ecological drivers of bovine anaplasmosis, and evaluation of novel tick repellents. The tick-borne pathogens we commonly work with are Anaplasma spp, Ehrlichia spp. Rickettsia spp, and Francisella spp.
Juergen, Richt, DVM, PhD jricht@vet.k-state.edu Regents Distinguished Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology Emerging zoonotic diseases, in particular influenze, rift valley, and prion diseases.
Michael Sanderson, MS, DVM sandersn@vet.k-state.edu Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology The broad focus of my research is the application of Epidemiologic principles, Analytical Methods, Risk Assessment and Simulation Modeling to disease risk and facilitate decision making in Beef Production systems. Much of this research has focused on the epidemiology and ecology of beef safety and security particularly related to E. coli O157 and other shiga-toxin producing E. coli. We also have potential risk assessment and modeling projects in Bovine Respiratory Disease, BVD, and Foot and Mouth Disease.
Thomas Schermerhorn, VMD tscherme@vet.k-state.edu Professor, Clinical Sciences Comparative glucose metabolism and diabetes.
Bruce Schultz, PhD bschultz@vet.k-state.edu Professor, Anatomy & Physiology Defining the physiological mechanisms of epithelial ion transport in selected tissues and species.
Stephanie Shames, PhD sshames@ksu.edu Assistant Professor, Biology Dr. Stephanie Shames studies Legionella pneumophila, specifically host-pathogen interactions, bacterial pathogenesis, and cellular microbiology.
Jishu Shi, DVM, MS, PhD jshi@vet.k-state.edu Professor, Anatomy & Physiology Dr. Jishu Shi’s research programs focus on the development of novel vaccine technologies for animal infectious diseases. His team is currently evaluating novel adjuvants and strategies for vaccines targeting porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus,Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, swine influenza virus, porcine circovirus, and avian influenza virus. In addition, his team is also investigating the molecular mechanisms of IL-1beta release from macrophages and the role of IL-1beta in macrophage-cancer stem cell interactions.
Kris Silver, PhD ksilver@ksu.edu Research Assistant Professor, Entomology Dr. Silver researches the physiological and molecular interactions between insects and insecticides.
Masaaki Tamura, DVM, PhD mtamura@vet.k-state.edu Professor, Anatomy & Physiology My research focuses on cancer therapy and chemoprevention, specifically immune checkpoint blockade therapy, gene therapy, and nanoparticle-based chemotherapy for lung cancer. We also study natural product-based therapy and chemoprevention for lung, colon, breast and pancreatic cancer. Our research involves both in vitro cell culture and mouse study.
Dr. Dana Vanlandingham, MS, PhD dlvanlan@vet.k-state.edu Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology My research is focused on viruses transmitted by mosquitoes; the interactions between the virus, mosquito vector, and vertebrate host. Our multidisciplinary research encompasses both basic molecular virology and applied research: novel vaccine development/evaluation, diagnostics, and virus transmission potential in vectors and hosts. Current research projects include: Japanese encephalitis, Rift Valley fever, chikungunya, and yellow fever viruses.
Dr. Abbie Viscardi, PhD aviscardi@vet.k-state.edu Research Assistant Professor, Anatomy & Physiology My research focus is on animal behavior and welfare. I am currently studying analgesia use in piglets to alleviate surgical castration and tail docking pain.
Mark Weiss, BS, PhD Weiss@vet.k-state.edu Professor, Anatomy & Physiology Dr. Weiss' research focus is on stem cell biotechnology. His lab successfully produced various stem cell lines such as rat embryonic stem cells and cells derived from umbilical chord or other tissues with the intent of using this technology to advance cellular therapy and regenerative medicine. His lab is focused upon producing promising cellular therapeutics for regenerative medicine.
Brad White, MS, DVM bwhite@vet.k-state.edu Professor and Director of Beef Cattle Institute, Clinical Sciences Preventative and therapeutic options for cattle health, primary area of emphasis in bovine respiratory disease.
William Whitehouse, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM) wwhitehouse@vet.k-state.edu Assistant Professor, Clinical Sciences Acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease in dogs and cats, oxidative stress, clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, utility of minimally invasive procedures in veterinary medicine.
William Wilson, PhD william.wilson@ars.usda.gov USDA Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit Adjunct Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology Dr. William Wilson’s research focuses on using molecular evolution, biochemical and genomic approaches to understand the interactions of arboviruses with their mammalian and invertebrate hosts. This work has also led to the development of diagnostic and control strategies. His current research is directed toward developing early detection/characterization and countermeasures for arboviruses affecting livestock and wildlife.
Zhilong Yang, PhD zyang@ksu.edu Assistant Professor, Biology Dr. Zhilong Yang studies viral and host cell gene expression during viral infection, specifically poxvirus.
Anna Zinovyeva, PhD zinovyeva@ksu.edu Assistant Professor, Biology Dr. Anna Zinovyeva studies post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, RNA biology, and microRNA biogenesis and function.
Anna Zolkiewska, PhD zolkiea@ksu.edu Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Dr. Anna Zolkiewska studies the role of metalloprotease ADAM12 in breast tumor development, metastasis, recurrence, and response to therapy.

Name and Degree, Department and Research Interests

Raghu Amachawadi, BVSc, MS, PhD

agraghav@vet.k-state.edu
Assistant Professor, Clinical Sciences

Dr. Raghu Amachawadi’s research interests are in antimicrobial resistance among gut commensals and foodborne pathogens of swine and cattle production systems. Specifically, on understanding the mechanisms involved in the propagation and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance and on the role of non-antibiotic alternatives in contribution and mitigation of antimicrobial resistance in gut bacteria, and on microbiome and metagenomics analyses of the gut of cattle and swine. His research interests also include both aerobic and or anaerobic bacterial flora of liver abscesses and its prevention in feedlot cattle.

Mike Apley, DVM. PhD, DACVCP

mapley@vet.k-state.edu
Professor, Clinical Sciences

Dr. Mike Apley's research is focused on food animal pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of veterinary drugs.

Katsura Asano, PhD

kasano@ksu.edu
Professor, Biology

Dr. Katsura Asano studies regulation of protein biosynthesis, yeast genetics and biochemistry, and molecular and cell biology of insects and cancer.

Chieko Azuma, DVM, PhD, DACVR-RO, CPIA

chieko@vet.k-state.edu
Clinical Associate Professor, Clinical Sciences

Dr. Chieko Azuma's research is focused on investigating the biological effects of radiation therapy and evaluation of treatment response in veterinary patients. She also has interests in palliative care and pain management, and research ethics and compliance.

Matt Basel, PhD

mbasel@k-state.edu
Clinical Assistant Professor, Anatomy & Physiology

Dr. Matt Basel’s research is focused on cancer therapy, especially hyperthermia and nanomedicine, and on designing better models for cancer research.

Brad Benkhe, PhD

bjbehnke@k-state.edu
Professor, Kinesiology

Dr. Brad Behnke’s research involves manipulation of tumor microenvironments to enhance cancer therapies, cardiovascular regulation of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue perfusion with age, and pathological conditions including diabetes, heart failure, and mechanical failure.

Stefan Bossmann, PhD
sbossman@ksu.edu
University Distinguished Professor, Chemistry

Dr. Stefan Bossmann studies cell-mediated delivery of drugs to tumors.

Mary Cain, PhD

mecain@ksu.edu
Professor, Psychology

Dr. Mary Cain studies the neurobiological basis of drug use using a rodent model.

Natalia Cernicchiaro, DVM MS PhD

ncernic@vet.k-state.edu
Associate Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology

Dr. Natalia Cernicchiaro research focus is on veterinary epidemiology, food safety, zoonoses and production medicine. Research interests include 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. Current research projects include understanding the distribution and determinants of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli non-O157, Salmonella and respiratory disease organisms in cattle and cattle production systems.

Kyeong-Ok Chang, DVM, MS, PhD

kchang@vet.k-state.edu
Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology

The development of therapeutic small molecules against various viruses including noroviruses, influenza virus and rotaviruses within vitro screening system and animal models such as (gnotobiotic) pigs and mice.

Jeba Chelladurai, BVSc & AH, MS, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology)
jebaj@vet.k-state.edu
Assistant Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology

Pharmacological targets and resistance markers in parasitic nematodes.

Hans Coetzee, BVSc, PhD

jcoetzee@vet.k-state.edu
Professor and Head, Anatomy & Physiology

Dr. Hans Coetzee’s research works to identify and validate biomarkers of pain in animal models and develop new analgesic drug regimens.

Lee Cohnstaedt, PhD

lee.cohnstaedt@ars.usda.gov
USDA Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit, Adjunct Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology

Dr. Lee Cohnstaedt’s research focuses on mosquito-borne zoonotic pathogens such as Rift Valley fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile viruses. He also studies methods to reduce biting midge (culicoides) transmitted epizootic hemorrhagic disease and bluetongue virus transmission on cervid farms. The lab uses both field and lab projects to determine the best methods to reduce disease transmission by mosquito and biting midge disease vectors.

Jeff Comer, PhD

jeffcomer@ksu.edu
Associate Professor, Anatomy & Physiology

Dr. Jeff Comer studies molecular simulation of interactions between biological molecules and synthetic nanostructures, with a particular focus on the thermodynamics and kinetics of binding, transmembrane transport of nanoparticles, and high-throughput screening.

Steven Copp, PhD

scopp@k-state.edu
Associate Professor, Kinesiology

Dr. Steven Copp’s research interest is autonomic control of circulation during exercise in health and cardiovascular disease.

Elizabeth Davis, DVM, PhD

Edavis@vet.k-state.edu
Professor and Head, Clinical Sciences

The primary focus of my research has involved mechanisms of innate immunity in horses. The current series of investigations involves examining the mechanism of immune activation with specific DNA sequences called CpG DNA. We are examining how bacterial DNA induces these responses and which sequences are the most effective at inducing immune activation. The ultimate goal of such investigations will be to use CpG DNA in combination with vaccine antigens so that we can safely and effectively make vaccines more powerful. Investigations will utilize cellular proliferation, cytokine gene expression and molecular cloning and sequencing assays.

Sally Davis, DVM, PhD

asally@vet.k-state.edu
Assistant Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology

Dr. Sally Davis studies host-pathogen interactions for agents including Influenza A virus, Rift Valley Fever Virus, and Pneumocystis spp, as well as development of in vitro systems that better modle aspects of in vivo infections.

Robert DeLong, MS, PhD

robertdelong@vet.k-state.edu
Associate Professor, Anatomy & Physiology

The group studies the interaction, stabilization and delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics and proteins by nanoparticles, with a particular interest in their anti-cancer, biochemical and immunological activity.

Barbara Drolet, MS, PhD

barbara.drolet@ars.usda.gov
USDA Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit
Adjunct Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology

Dr. Barbara Drolet’s research focuses on insect-transmitted diseases of livestock and wildlife, such as bluetongue, epizootic hemorrhagic disease, vesicular stomatitis, and Rift Valley fever viruses. Her research includes developing arboviral immunodiagnostics, conducting animal pathogenesis and vector competence studies, investigating the molecular interactions between arboviruses and their mammalian and insect hosts, and determining the effects of insect vector saliva on mammalian immune responses and arbovirus infection following bite transmission.

Sherry Fleming, PhD

sdfleming@k-state.edu
Professor, Biology

Dr. Sherry Fleming’s research focuses on the innate immune response and understanding the mechanisms of an excessive response during sterile injury such as surgery or pre-eclampsia. Importantly, we are determining the role of sex on the innate response and the ability of small therapeutics to inhibit the excessive response without inhibiting the total immune response. An additional project examines the ability of the small therapeutics to inhibit melanoma growth.

Peying Fong, PhD

pfong@vet.k-state.edu
Associate Professor, Anatomy & Physiology

Regulation of sodium, chloride and iodide transport by epithelial cells.

Roman Ganta, PhD

rganta@vet.k-state.edu
Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology

Dr. Roman Ganta studies Ehrlichia and Anaplasma vector-borne diseases, assessing pathogen molecular structure, host response, the effect of tick and host cell environments on the pathogens’ adaptation, mutagenesis, vaccine development, and developing molecular diagnostic tests.

Brian Geisbrecht, PhD

geisbrechtb@ksu.edu
Professor, Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics

Dr. Brian Geisbrecht studies Staphylococcus aureus with a multidisciplinary approach including innate immunity, molecular basis of infectious diseases and host-pathogen interactions, and structural biology and molecular recognition.

Erica Geisbrecht, PhD

geisbrechte@ksu.edu
Professor, Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics

Dr. Erica Geisbrecht studies formation and maintenance of muscle and heart tissue, biochemistry and molecular genetics of Drosophila, and cell signaling in development.

Phil Hardwidge, PhD

hardwidg@vet.k-state.edu
Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology

Dr. Phil Hardwidge studies several virotypes of E. coli causing diarrhea and malnutrition in humans and livestock.

Brian Herrin, DVM, PhD

bhh@vet.k-state.edu
Assistant Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology

Dr. Brian Herrin’s primary research objectives are focused on the epidemiology and control of ticks and tick-borne diseases. Some of his recent interests are the epidemiology Lyme borreliosis in humans and dogs in North America, evaluation of diagnostic assays for tick-borne diseases, and surveillance of ticks and tick-borne diseases of horses. Although his research focus is on ticks, Dr. Herrin enjoys working with all parasites of veterinary importance through the diagnostic service and teaching/outreach opportunities.

Lindsey Hulbert, BS, MS, PhD
lhulbert@k-state.edu
Associate Professor, Animal Science

Dr. Lindsey Hulbert's research is focused on the development and validation of automated technologies to monitor health and welfare of domestic animals, understanding the effects of early-life stressors on nutritive and non-nutritive oral behaviors and immunity in calves, improving resilience to stressors and immunocomptence through housing, management, and feeding strategies in calves and pigs, and determining biomarkers of stress and inflammation for predicting and identifying disease.

Maria Jugan, DVM, MS, DACVIM

mjugan@vet.k-state.edu
Assistant Professor, Clinical Sciences

Dr. Maria Jugan’s research interests are in feline and canine gastrointestinal disease, nutrient malabsorption in feline IBD, alterations in enteroendocrine responses in IBD, and therapeutic manipulations (e.g. fecal transplantation, probiotics) of the GI microbiome and metabolome in both acute and chronic small animal enteropathies.

Yunjeong Kim, DVM, PhD, DACVM
ykim@vet.k-state.edu
Associate Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology

Dr. Yunjeong Kim is interested in the development of therapeutic agents for small animal viral diseases including feline infectious peritonitis and feline calicivirus infection as well as understanding the role of host cellular proteases in viral pathogenesis.

Kim Kirkpatrick, PhD

kirkpatr@ksu.edu
University Distinguished Professor, Psychological Sciences

Dr. Kim Kirkpatrick studies the role of timing and reward processes in determining impulsive and risky choice in rats.

Michael Kleinhenz, DVM, PhD
mkleinhe@vet.k-state.edu
Assistant Professor, Clinical Sciences.

Food animal therapeutics and pain assessment in food animals.

Butch KuKanich, DVM, PhD, DACVCP

skukanic@vet.k-state.edu
Professor, Anatomy & Physiology

Evaluation and design of rational drug dosages through the use of pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic studies.

Kate KuKanich, DVM, PhD, DACVIM

kstenske@vet.k-state.edu
Professor, Clinical Sciences

One Health research including antimicrobial stewardship, hand hygiene, zoonotic diseases, fungal disease, UTIs, and opioids.

Robert Larson, DVM, PhD

rlarson@vet.k-state.edu
Professor, Clinical Sciences

Investigation of the role of disease in beef cattle on production efficiency, evaluation of disease intervention strategies.

Dylan Lutter, DVM, MS, DACVS-LA, CERP, CAC
dlutter@vet.k-state.edu
Clinical Assistant Professor, Clinical Sciences

Regenerative medicine, wound healing, equine rehabilitation therapies

Jessica Meekins, DVM, DACVO

jslack@vet.k-state.edu
Associate Professor, Clinical Sciences

Dr. Jessica Meekins’ clinical research interests include management of viral surface ocular diseases in cats and investigating comparative ophthalmology in exotic/non-domestic species.

Kristin Michel, PhD

kmichel@ksu.edu
Associate Professor, Biology

Dr. Kristen Michel studies host-pathogen interactions important for malaria and arboviral disease transmission.

Thomas Mueller, PhD

muellert@ksu.edu
Research Assistant Professor, Biology

Dr. Thomas Mueller studies evolutionary and developmental neuroscience, brain atlases, forebrain evolution, neural circuits of emotion, and amygdala-hypothalamic connectivity.

Timothy Musch, PhD

musch@vet.k-state.edu
University Distinguished Professor, Anatomy & Physiology

The mechanisms associated with the large degree of exercise intolerance that develops in the chronic heart failure (CHF) syndrome.

Waithaka Mwangi, PhD

wmwangi@vet.k-state.edu
Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology

My research is focused on development of livestock vaccines, immune stimulants for adjuvant development, and antibody-based human and companion animal therapeutics.

T.G. Nagaraja, BVSc, MVSc, PhD

tnagaraj@vet.k-state.edu
University Distinguished Professor of Veterinary Microbiology

My research interest is in the field of Gut Microbiology of cattle and swine, particularly on the role of microbes in gut function and dysfunction. Currently, my laboratory is involved in the following research areas: Foodborne pathogens, such as Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter, and antimicrobial resistance of gut bacteria in cattle and swine; bacterial flora of liver abscesses, virulence factors and pathogenic mechanisms of Fusobacterium necrophorum, with the long term goal of developing an efficacious vaccine.

Megan C. Niederwerder, DVM, PhD
mniederwerder@vet.k-state.edu
Associate Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology

Dr. Megan Niederwerder's laboratory is focused on investigating viral diseases of swine, including the role of the microbiome in outcome following viral infection and the risks for viral introduction and transmission.

Leela Norohna, DVM, PhD

leela.noronha@usda.gov
USDA Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit
Adjunct Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology

Dr. Leela Noronha studies the interactions of mammalian hosts, insect vectors, and viral pathogens involved in the transmission of arboviral diseases. She currently focuses on emerging and re-emerging diseases that affect livestock, wildlife, and humans, including Japanese encephalitis and Rift Valley fever.

Yoonseong Park, PhD

ypark@ksu.edu
Professor, Entomology

Dr. Yoonseong Park studies arthropod signaling peptides and their receptors, signaling pathways for tick salivary secretion, and mechanisms of systemic RNA interference.

Charles Pickens, PhD

pickens@ksu.edu
Assistant Professor, Psychological Sciences

Dr. Charles Pickens studies how exposure to CNS depressants can lead to long-term alterations in the brain circuits involved in learning, memory, and decision making.

poole David Poole, MS, PhD
poole@vet.k-state.edu
University Distinguished Professor, Anatomy & Physiology

Pulmonary gas exchange, O2 transport and muscle microcirculation in health and determining the mechanistic bases for dysfunction in chronic disease (i.e., emphysema, heart failure, diabetes) and also aging.

Prakash Punit Prakash, PhD
prakashp@k-state.edu
Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Dr. Punit Prakash’s research is focused on developing technologies for enabling precise image-guided medical and cancer interventions, including microwave thermal therapy with MRI guidance.

David Renter, DVM, PhD

drenter@vet.k-state.edu
Professor, and Director
Center for Outcomes Research and Epidemiology
Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology

Dr. David Renter’s research emphasizes the application and extension of epidemiologic principles and methods to enhance health and disease management. His outcomes-based research enables valid data-driven decisions to improve animal health/well-being, food safety, production efficiency, and economic viability of health systems.

Kathryn Reif, MSPH, PhD

kreif@vet.k-state.edu
Associate Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology

My laboratory is interested in ticks and tick-borne diseases. We use a combination of in vitro and in vivo experimental models to study the determinants of pathogen infection in the tick vector, and how these infection determinants ultimately effect pathogen transmission from the tick. Projects in the lab range from basic to applied research, including: examining mechanisms of pathogen entry into tick host cells, ecological drivers of bovine anaplasmosis, and evaluation of novel tick repellents. The tick-borne pathogens we commonly work with are Anaplasma spp, Ehrlichia spp. Rickettsia spp, and Francisella spp.

Juergen, Richt, DVM, PhD

jricht@vet.k-state.edu
Regents Distinguished Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology

Emerging zoonotic diseases, in particular influenze, rift valley, and prion diseases.

Michael Sanderson, MS, DVM

sandersn@vet.k-state.edu
Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology

The broad focus of my research is the application of Epidemiologic principles, Analytical Methods, Risk Assessment and Simulation Modeling to disease risk and facilitate decision making in Beef Production systems. Much of this research has focused on the epidemiology and ecology of beef safety and security particularly related to E. coli O157 and other shiga-toxin producing E. coli. We also have potential risk assessment and modeling projects in Bovine Respiratory Disease, BVD, and Foot and Mouth Disease.

Thomas Schermerhorn, VMD

tscherme@vet.k-state.edu
Professor, Clinical Sciences

Comparative glucose metabolism and diabetes.

Bruce Schultz, PhD
bschultz@vet.k-state.edu

Professor, Anatomy & Physiology

Defining the physiological mechanisms of epithelial ion transport in selected tissues and species.

Stephanie Shames, PhD

sshames@ksu.edu
Assistant Professor, Biology

Dr. Stephanie Shames studies Legionella pneumophila, specifically host-pathogen interactions, bacterial pathogenesis, and cellular microbiology.

Jishu Shi, DVM, MS, PhD

jshi@vet.k-state.edu
Professor, Anatomy & Physiology

Dr. Jishu Shi’s research programs focus on the development of novel vaccine technologies for animal infectious diseases. His team is currently evaluating novel adjuvants and strategies for vaccines targeting porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus,Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, swine influenza virus, porcine circovirus, and avian influenza virus. In addition, his team is also investigating the molecular mechanisms of IL-1beta release from macrophages and the role of IL-1beta in macrophage-cancer stem cell interactions.

Kris Silver, PhD

ksilver@ksu.edu
Research Assistant Professor, Entomology

Dr. Silver researches the physiological and molecular interactions between insects and insecticides.

Masaaki Tamura, DVM, PhD

mtamura@vet.k-state.edu
Professor, Anatomy & Physiology

My research focuses on cancer therapy and chemoprevention, specifically immune checkpoint blockade therapy, gene therapy, and nanoparticle-based chemotherapy for lung cancer. We also study natural product-based therapy and chemoprevention for lung, colon, breast and pancreatic cancer. Our research involves both in vitro cell culture and mouse study.

Dr. Dana Vanlandingham, MS, PhD

dlvanlan@vet.k-state.edu
Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology

My research is focused on viruses transmitted by mosquitoes; the interactions between the virus, mosquito vector, and vertebrate host. Our multidisciplinary research encompasses both basic molecular virology and applied research: novel vaccine development/evaluation, diagnostics, and virus transmission potential in vectors and hosts. Current research projects include: Japanese encephalitis, Rift Valley fever, chikungunya, and yellow fever viruses.

Dr. Abbie Viscardi, PhD

aviscardi@vet.k-state.edu
Research Assistant Professor, Anatomy & Physiology

My research focus is on animal behavior and welfare. I am currently studying analgesia use in piglets to alleviate surgical castration and tail docking pain.

Mark Weiss, BS, PhD

Weiss@vet.k-state.edu
Professor, Anatomy & Physiology

Dr. Weiss' research focus is on stem cell biotechnology. His lab successfully produced various stem cell lines such as rat embryonic stem cells and cells derived from umbilical chord or other tissues with the intent of using this technology to advance cellular therapy and regenerative medicine. His lab is focused upon producing promising cellular therapeutics for regenerative medicine.

Brad White, MS, DVM

bwhite@vet.k-state.edu
Professor and Director of Beef Cattle Institute, Clinical Sciences

Preventative and therapeutic options for cattle health, primary area of emphasis in bovine respiratory disease.

William Whitehouse, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM)
wwhitehouse@vet.k-state.edu
Assistant Professor, Clinical Sciences

Acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease in dogs and cats, oxidative stress, clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, utility of minimally invasive procedures in veterinary medicine.

William Wilson, PhD

william.wilson@ars.usda.gov
USDA Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit
Adjunct Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology

Dr. William Wilson’s research focuses on using molecular evolution, biochemical and genomic approaches to understand the interactions of arboviruses with their mammalian and invertebrate hosts. This work has also led to the development of diagnostic and control strategies. His current research is directed toward developing early detection/characterization and countermeasures for arboviruses affecting livestock and wildlife.

Zhilong Yang, PhD

zyang@ksu.edu
Assistant Professor, Biology

Dr. Zhilong Yang studies viral and host cell gene expression during viral infection, specifically poxvirus.

Anna Zinovyeva, PhD

zinovyeva@ksu.edu
Assistant Professor, Biology

Dr. Anna Zinovyeva studies post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, RNA biology, and microRNA biogenesis and function.

Anna Zolkiewska, PhD

zolkiea@ksu.edu
Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics

Dr. Anna Zolkiewska studies the role of metalloprotease ADAM12 in breast tumor development, metastasis, recurrence, and response to therapy.