Faculty Mentors & Research Interests

Name and Degree, Department and Research Interests
Dr. Raghu Amachawadi, BVSc, MS, PhD Email Associate 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.
Dr. Mike Apley, DVM. PhD, DACVCP Email Department Head, Anatomy & Physiology Professor, Clinical Sciences Dr. Mike Apley's research is focused on food animal pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of veterinary drugs.
Dr. Katsura Asano, PhD Email Professor, Biology Dr. Katsura Asano studies regulation of protein biosynthesis, yeast genetics and biochemistry, and molecular and cell biology of insects and cancer.
Dr. Chieko Azuma, DVM, PhD, DACVR-RO, CPIA Email Clinical 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.
Dr. Matt Basel, PhD Email Associate 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.
Dr. Eduarda Bortoluzzi, MV, MS, PhD Email Assistant Professor, Anatomy & Physiology Dr. Eduarda Bortoluzzi's research focuses on animal welfare and applied ethology of domestic animals. Her previous research aimed to demonstrate the relationship between neonatal behaviors and the health of piglets and calves. Dr. Bortoluzzi also researched novel technologies to identify pulmonary pathologies in necropsied feedlot cattle. Her future lab projects include using artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics to develop new animal welfare metrics.
Dr. Mary Cain, PhD Email Professor, Psychology Dr. Mary Cain studies the neurobiological basis of drug use using a rodent model.
Dr. Natalia Cernicchiaro, DVM MS PhD Email Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology Dr. Natalia Cernicchiaro's 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.
Dr. Kyeong-Ok Chang, DVM, MS, PhD Email Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology Dr. Kyeong-Ok Chang studies 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.
Dr. Lee Cohnstaedt, PhD Email USDA Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit 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.
Dr. Jeff Comer, PhD Email 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.
Dr. Steven Copp, PhD Email Professor, Kinesiology Dr. Steven Copp’s research interest is autonomic control of circulation during exercise in health and cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Elizabeth Davis, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (LAIM) Email Interim Dean College of Veterinary Medicine, VHC Director, Professor The primary focus of Dr. Elizabeth Davis' 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. She is 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 she can safely and effectively make vaccines more powerful. Investigations will utilize cellular proliferation, cytokine gene expression and molecular cloning and sequencing assays.
Dr. Santosh Dhakal, BVSc & AH, MS, PhD Email Assistant Professor, Infections Diseases, Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology Dr. Santosh Dhakal's lab works on viral pathogens of animal and human health importance, including influenza and SARS-CoV-2. His research focuses on understanding the effect of host-associated factors, including age, biological sex, preexisting immunity, and different comorbidities on viral pathogenesis and immune responses to vaccines. He is also interested in the development of safe, effective and optimized mucosal vaccines against animal and human viral pathogens.
Dr. Maria Diehl, PhD Email Professor, Department of Psychological Sciences Dr. Diehl's research program focuses on the understanding of how social stimuli can alter the neural circuits of fear and avoidance to reduce anxiety-like behaviors and subsequently promote resilient behaviors in rats. She uses a several techniques including single unit recordings and optogenetic manipulations in behaving rats. Research in the Diehl laboratory seeks to understand why some individuals can overcome trauma and develop behavioral resilience, while other individuals go on to develop a neuropsychiatric disease, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
Dr. Peying Fong, PhD Email Professor, Anatomy & Physiology Dr. Peying Fong studies the regulation of sodium, chloride and iodide transport by epithelial cells.
Dr. Scott Fritz, DVM, PhD Email Clinical Assistant Professor of Toxicology, Anatomy & Physiology Dr. Scott Fritz studies issues relating to toxicology as it pertains to animals. His research interest is applied veterinary toxicology and he teaches VAP 871Veterinary Toxicology.
Dr. Brian Geisbrecht, PhD Email University Distinguished 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.
Dr. Erika Geisbrecht, PhD Email 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.
Dr. Todd Gunderson, DVM, MS, ACVPM Email Clinical Assistant Professor, Clinical Sciences Dr. Todd Gunderson studies beef production medicine, dairy production medicine, equine medicine, epidemiology, disease outbreak investigation and small animal emergency medicine.
Dr. Stephanie Hall, PhD Email Assistant Professor in Anatomy and Physiology Dr. Stephanie Hall's research focuses on uncovering the mechanisms of exercise protection in one of the most devastating diseases today, Alzheimer’ disease.
Dr. Lindsey Hulbert, BS, MS, PhD Email 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.
Dr. Maria Jugan, DVM, MS, DACVIM Email Associate 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.
Dr. Nate Kapaldo, DVM, MPH, DACVAA Email Assistant Professor in Clinical Sciences Dr. Nate Kapaldo's research interests are in urine partial pressure of oxygen as a marker for acute kidney injury; comparative regional analgesia techniques and pain physiology; sustainability in anesthesia practice; and perioperative teaching environment and methods of veterinary student/nurse instruction.
Dr. Yunjeong Kim, DVM, PhD, DACVM Email 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.
Dr. Jeremy Klingler, MS, PhD Email Clinical Assistant Professor, Anatomy & Physiology Dr. Jeremy Klingler's research interests are strongly paleontological and paleobiological in nature. He is primarily involved with the world-famous Tanis site of North Dakota, where the dinosaur-killing asteroid hit the Earth ~ 66 Mya, making it one of the most significant fossil sites ever found. At Tanis, rapid burial of the site and its inhabitants has preserved a large number of high-quality fossil finds that capture exquisite details. He is also interested in reconstructing dinosaur anatomy and physiology through a comparative lens with their modern relatives (i.e., crocodilians and birds).
Dr. Butch KuKanich, DVM, PhD, DACVCP Email Professor, Anatomy & Physiology Dr. Butch KuKanich studies the evaluation and design of rational drug dosages through the use of pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic studies.
Dr. Kate KuKanich, DVM, PhD, DACVIM Email Professor, Clinical Sciences Dr. Kate KuKanich focuses on One Health research including antimicrobial stewardship, hand hygiene, zoonotic diseases, fungal disease, UTIs, and opioids.
Dr. Phillip Lancaster, MS, PhD Email Clinical Assistant Professor, Beef Cattle Institute Dr. Phillip Lancaster studies sustainable beef cattle production; identification of energy efficient cattle; nutritional strategies to reduce methane emissions; and development of sustainable beef production systems.
Dr. Robert Larson, DVM, PhD, DACT, DACVPM (Epidemiology), ACAN Email Professor, Clinical Sciences Dr. Robert Larson studies the investigation of the role of disease in beef cattle on production efficiency, evaluation of disease intervention strategies.
Dr. Dylan Lutter, DVM, MS, DACVS-LA, CERP, CAC Email Clinical Assistant Professor, Clinical Sciences Dr. Dylan Lutter studies regenerative medicine, wound healing and equine rehabilitation therapies.
Dr. Shane Lyon, DVM, MS, DACVIM (SAIM) Email Clinical Associate Professor, Clinical Sciences
Dr. Bethany McGregor MS, PhD Email Research Entomologist, Agriculture Research Service, USDA Dr. Bethany McGregor's research focuses on understanding aspects of the biology and ecology of insect vectors of animal pathogens, primarily Culicoides biting midges. The ultimate goal of Bethany’s research program is to use data on biology and ecology to improve surveillance and control of biting midge species that transmit diseases.
Dr. Stacy McHaney, DVM, DACVR Email Assistant Professor, Radiology Dr. Stacy McHaney’s research focuses on novel imaging techniques, especially those utilizing MRI technology. She also researches CT contrast and radiation dose reduction.
Dr. Kristin Michel, PhD Email Professor, Biology Dr. Kristen Michel studies host-pathogen interactions important for malaria and arboviral disease transmission.
Dr. Laura C. Miller, PhD Email Associate Professor, Diagnostic Medicine/Pathology Dr. Laura Miller investigates how viruses infect and manipulate host cells, particularly focusing on the mechanisms that allow viruses to evade the immune response and cause disease. By employing advanced techniques, she aims to identify novel targets for gene-editing, diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccine development.
Dr. Tim Musch, PhD Email University Distinguished Professor, Anatomy & Physiology Dr. Tim Musch studies mechanisms associated with the large degree of exercise intolerance that develops in the chronic heart failure.
Dr. Waithaka Mwangi, PhD Email Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology Dr. Waithaka Mwangi's research is focused on the development of livestock vaccines, immune stimulants for adjuvant development, and antibody-based human and companion animal therapeutics.
Dr. T.G. Nagaraja, BVSc, MVSc, PhD Email University Distinguished Professor of Veterinary Microbiology Dr. T.G. Nagaraja's 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, his 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.
Dr. Cassandra Olds, MS, PhD Email Assistant Professor, Entomology Dr. Cassandra Olds' research focuses on understanding vector-pathogen-host interactions, specifically how these can be managed to reduce the negative impact of arthropod pests and their associated pathogens on animal health and well-being.
Dr. Ron Orchard, DVM, MPH Email Assistant Professor, Clinical Sciences Dr. Ron Orchard is a clinical instructor of community outreach in the Kansas State University Clinical Sciences department. His research interests include: Shelter Medicine, HQHVSN Techniques, Resource Limited Medicine, Spectrum of Care, Access to Care, Community Engagement, Qualitative Methods, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.
Dr. Yoonseong Park, PhD Email University Distinguished Professor, Entomology Dr. Yoonseong Park studies arthropod signaling peptides and their receptors, signaling pathways for tick salivary secretion, and mechanisms of systemic RNA interference.
Dr. Pierre Picavet, DVM, MSc, DECVS Email Assistant Professor, Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery Dr. Pierre Picavet is a small animal orthopedic surgery specialist.
Dr. Charles Pickens, PhD Email Associate 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.
Dr. Roman Pogranichniy, MS, DVM, PhD Email Professor, Virology, Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology Dr. Roman Pogranichniy is a veterinarian with advanced training in veterinary microbiology/virology, and his research interests are on viral infectious diseases, their pathogenesis and the development of new diagnostic and preventive methods for these diseases.
Dr. David Poole, MS, PhD Email University Distinguished Professor, Anatomy & Physiology Dr. David Poole studies 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.
Dr. David Renter, DVM, PhD Email Professor, Director, Center for Outcomes Research and Epidemiology 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.
Dr. Juergen Richt, DVM, PhD Email University Distinguished Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology Dr. Juergen Richt studies emerging zoonotic diseases, in particular influenza, rift valley, and prion diseases.
Dr. Michael Sanderson, MS, DVM Email Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology The broad focus of Dr. Michael Sanderson's 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. His lab also studies Bovine Respiratory Disease and Foot and Mouth Disease.
Dr. Thomas Schermerhorn, VMD, DACVIM (SAIM) Email Professor, Clinical Sciences Dr. Thomas Schermerhorn studies comparative glucose metabolism and diabetes.
Dr. Bruce Schultz, PhD Email Professor, Anatomy & Physiology Dr. Bruce Schultz research focus is on defining the physiological mechanisms of epithelial ion transport in selected tissues and species.
Dr. Stacey Scroggs, PhD, MPH Email USDA Research Microbiologist Dr. Stacey Scroggs studies the evolution, emergence, and control of arthropod-transmitted viruses that infect livestock, such as vesicular stomatitis virus, bluetongue virus, epizootic hemorrhagic fever virus, and West Nile virus.
Dr. Jishu Shi, DVM, MS, PhD Email Professor, Anatomy & Physiology Dr. Jishu Shi’s runs the Laboratory of Vaccine Immunology, which develops vaccine adjuvants, novel diagnostic assays and vaccines for swine infectious diseases. Specifically, his lab focuses its research on African swine fever (ASF), Streptococcus suis, swine influenza virus (SIV), classical swine fever (CSF), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), and other emerging infectious diseases of swine.
Dr. Phillip Shults, PhD Email Research Entomologist, USDA Dr. Phillip Shults studies insects, primarily biting midges, that transmit disease-causing pathogens in wildlife and livestock systems. His lab applies a broad range of next-generation molecular approaches to better understand the interactions between host, vector, and pathogen.
Dr. Kris Silver, PhD Email Associate Professor, Entomology Dr. Kris Silver researches the physiological and molecular interactions between insects and insecticides.
Dr. Dr. Dana Vanlandingham, MS, PhD Email Interim Associate Dean of Research Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology Dr. Dana Vanlandingham's research is focused on viruses transmitted by mosquitoes; the interactions between the virus, mosquito vector, and vertebrate host. Her lab's 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 Email Assistant Professor, Anatomy & Physiology Dr. Abbie Viscardi's research focus is on animal behavior and welfare. She is currently studying analgesia use in piglets to alleviate surgical castration and tail-docking pain.
Dr. Lihua Wang, MD, PhD Email Assistant Professor, Anatomy & Physiology Dr. Lihua Wang's research is dedicated to developing innovative vaccines, diagnostics, and monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics for high-impact infectious diseases. By leveraging advanced technologies like mRNA, single B cell antibody discovery, and viral vector-based delivery, Dr. Wang’s group are actively addressing critical biological threats such as African swine fever, rabies, canine distemper, feline infectious peritonitis, and antimicrobial resistance.
Dr. Mark Weiss, BS, PhD Email Professor, Anatomy & Physiology Dr. Mark 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.
Dr. Brad White, MS, DVM Email Professor and Director of Beef Cattle Institute, Clinical Sciences Dr. Brad White studies preventative and therapeutic options for cattle health, primary area of emphasis in bovine respiratory disease.
Dr. William Wilson, PhD Email 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.
Dr. Anna Zinovyeva, PhD Email Associate Professor, Biology Dr. Anna Zinovyeva studies post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, RNA biology, and microRNA biogenesis and function.

Name and Degree, Department and Research Interests

Dr. Raghu Amachawadi, BVSc, MS, PhD

Email
Associate 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.

Dr. Mike Apley, DVM. PhD, DACVCP

Email
Department Head, Anatomy & Physiology
Professor, Clinical Sciences

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

Dr. Katsura Asano, PhD

Email
Professor, Biology

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

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

Email
Clinical 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.

Dr. Matt Basel, PhD

Email
Associate 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.

Dr. Eduarda Bortoluzzi, MV, MS, PhD

Email
Assistant Professor, Anatomy & Physiology

Dr. Eduarda Bortoluzzi's research focuses on animal welfare and applied ethology of domestic animals. Her previous research aimed to demonstrate the relationship between neonatal behaviors and the health of piglets and calves. Dr. Bortoluzzi also researched novel technologies to identify pulmonary pathologies in necropsied feedlot cattle. Her future lab projects include using artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics to develop new animal welfare metrics.

Dr. Mary Cain, PhD

Email
Professor, Psychology

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

Dr. Natalia Cernicchiaro, DVM MS PhD

Email
Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology

Dr. Natalia Cernicchiaro's 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.

Dr. Kyeong-Ok Chang, DVM, MS, PhD

Email
Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology

Dr. Kyeong-Ok Chang studies 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.

Dr. Lee Cohnstaedt, PhD

Email
USDA Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit

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.

Dr. Jeff Comer, PhD

Email
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.

Dr. Steven Copp, PhD

Email
Professor, Kinesiology

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

Dr. Elizabeth Davis, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (LAIM)

Email
Interim Dean College of Veterinary Medicine, VHC Director, Professor

The primary focus of Dr. Elizabeth Davis' 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. She is 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 she can safely and effectively make vaccines more powerful. Investigations will utilize cellular proliferation, cytokine gene expression and molecular cloning and sequencing assays.

Dr. Santosh Dhakal, BVSc & AH, MS, PhD

Email
Assistant Professor, Infections Diseases, Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology

Dr. Santosh Dhakal's lab works on viral pathogens of animal and human health importance, including influenza and SARS-CoV-2. His research focuses on understanding the effect of host-associated factors, including age, biological sex, preexisting immunity, and different comorbidities on viral pathogenesis and immune responses to vaccines. He is also interested in the development of safe, effective and optimized mucosal vaccines against animal and human viral pathogens.

Dr. Maria Diehl, PhD

Email
Professor, Department of Psychological Sciences

Dr. Diehl's research program focuses on the understanding of how social stimuli can alter the neural circuits of fear and avoidance to reduce anxiety-like behaviors and subsequently promote resilient behaviors in rats. She uses a several techniques including single unit recordings and optogenetic manipulations in behaving rats. Research in the Diehl laboratory seeks to understand why some individuals can overcome trauma and develop behavioral resilience, while other individuals go on to develop a neuropsychiatric disease, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

Dr. Peying Fong, PhD

Email
Professor, Anatomy & Physiology

Dr. Peying Fong studies the regulation of sodium, chloride and iodide transport by epithelial cells.

Dr. Scott Fritz, DVM, PhD

Email
Clinical Assistant Professor of Toxicology, Anatomy & Physiology

Dr. Scott Fritz studies issues relating to toxicology as it pertains to animals. His research interest is applied veterinary toxicology and he teaches VAP 871Veterinary Toxicology.

Dr. Brian Geisbrecht, PhD

Email
University Distinguished 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.

Dr. Erika Geisbrecht, PhD

Email
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.

Dr. Todd Gunderson, DVM, MS, ACVPM

Email
Clinical Assistant Professor, Clinical Sciences

Dr. Todd Gunderson studies beef production medicine, dairy production medicine, equine medicine, epidemiology, disease outbreak investigation and small animal emergency medicine.

Dr. Stephanie Hall, PhD
Email
Assistant Professor in Anatomy and Physiology

Dr. Stephanie Hall's research focuses on uncovering the mechanisms of exercise protection in one of the most devastating diseases today, Alzheimer’ disease.

Dr. Lindsey Hulbert, BS, MS, PhD
Email
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.

Dr. Maria Jugan, DVM, MS, DACVIM

Email
Associate 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.

Dr. Nate Kapaldo, DVM, MPH, DACVAA
Email
Assistant Professor in Clinical Sciences

Dr. Nate Kapaldo's research interests are in urine partial pressure of oxygen as a marker for acute kidney injury; comparative regional analgesia techniques and pain physiology; sustainability in anesthesia practice; and perioperative teaching environment and methods of veterinary student/nurse instruction.

Dr. Yunjeong Kim, DVM, PhD, DACVM
Email
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.

Dr. Jeremy Klingler, MS, PhD
Email
Clinical Assistant Professor, Anatomy & Physiology

Dr. Jeremy Klingler's research interests are strongly paleontological and paleobiological in nature. He is primarily involved with the world-famous Tanis site of North Dakota, where the dinosaur-killing asteroid hit the Earth ~ 66 Mya, making it one of the most significant fossil sites ever found. At Tanis, rapid burial of the site and its inhabitants has preserved a large number of high-quality fossil finds that capture exquisite details. He is also interested in reconstructing dinosaur anatomy and physiology through a comparative lens with their modern relatives (i.e., crocodilians and birds).

Dr. Butch KuKanich, DVM, PhD, DACVCP

Email
Professor, Anatomy & Physiology

Dr. Butch KuKanich studies the evaluation and design of rational drug dosages through the use of pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic studies.

Dr. Kate KuKanich, DVM, PhD, DACVIM

Email
Professor, Clinical Sciences

Dr. Kate KuKanich focuses on One Health research including antimicrobial stewardship, hand hygiene, zoonotic diseases, fungal disease, UTIs, and opioids.

Dr. Phillip Lancaster, MS, PhD

Email
Clinical Assistant Professor, Beef Cattle Institute

Dr. Phillip Lancaster studies sustainable beef cattle production; identification of energy efficient cattle; nutritional strategies to reduce methane emissions; and development of sustainable beef production systems.

Dr. Robert Larson, DVM, PhD, DACT, DACVPM (Epidemiology), ACAN

Email
Professor, Clinical Sciences

Dr. Robert Larson studies the investigation of the role of disease in beef cattle on production efficiency, evaluation of disease intervention strategies.

Dr. Dylan Lutter, DVM, MS, DACVS-LA, CERP, CAC
Email
Clinical Assistant Professor, Clinical Sciences

Dr. Dylan Lutter studies regenerative medicine, wound healing and equine rehabilitation therapies.

Dr. Shane Lyon, DVM, MS, DACVIM (SAIM)
Email
Clinical Associate Professor, Clinical Sciences

Dr. Bethany McGregor MS, PhD
Email
Research Entomologist, Agriculture Research Service, USDA

Dr. Bethany McGregor's research focuses on understanding aspects of the biology and ecology of insect vectors of animal pathogens, primarily Culicoides biting midges. The ultimate goal of Bethany’s research program is to use data on biology and ecology to improve surveillance and control of biting midge species that transmit diseases.

Dr. Stacy McHaney, DVM, DACVR

Email
Assistant Professor, Radiology

Dr. Stacy McHaney’s research focuses on novel imaging techniques, especially those utilizing MRI technology. She also researches CT contrast and radiation dose reduction.

Dr. Kristin Michel, PhD
Email
Professor, Biology

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

Miller Dr. Laura C. Miller, PhD
Email
Associate Professor, Diagnostic Medicine/Pathology

Dr. Laura Miller investigates how viruses infect and manipulate host cells, particularly focusing on the mechanisms that allow viruses to evade the immune response and cause disease. By employing advanced techniques, she aims to identify novel targets for gene-editing, diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccine development.

Dr. Timothy Msuch Dr. Tim Musch, PhD
Email
University Distinguished Professor, Anatomy & Physiology

Dr. Tim Musch studies mechanisms associated with the large degree of exercise intolerance that develops in the chronic heart failure.

Dr. Waithaka Mwangi, PhD

Email
Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology

Dr. Waithaka Mwangi's research is focused on the development of livestock vaccines, immune stimulants for adjuvant development, and antibody-based human and companion animal therapeutics.

Dr. T.G. Nagaraja, BVSc, MVSc, PhD

Email
University Distinguished Professor of Veterinary Microbiology

Dr. T.G. Nagaraja's 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, his 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.

Dr. Cassandra Olds, MS, PhD
Email
Assistant Professor, Entomology

Dr. Cassandra Olds' research focuses on understanding vector-pathogen-host interactions, specifically how these can be managed to reduce the negative impact of arthropod pests and their associated pathogens on animal health and well-being.

Dr. Ron Orchard, DVM, MPH

Email
Assistant Professor, Clinical Sciences

Dr. Ron Orchard is a clinical instructor of community outreach in the Kansas State University Clinical Sciences department. His research interests include: Shelter Medicine, HQHVSN Techniques, Resource Limited Medicine, Spectrum of Care, Access to Care, Community Engagement, Qualitative Methods, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.

Dr. Yoonseong Park, PhD

Email
University Distinguished Professor, Entomology

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

Dr. Pierre Picavet, DVM, MSc, DECVS

Email
Assistant Professor, Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery

Dr. Pierre Picavet is a small animal orthopedic surgery specialist.

Dr. Charles Pickens, PhD

Email
Associate 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.

Dr. Roman Pogranichniy Dr. Roman Pogranichniy, MS, DVM, PhD
Email
Professor, Virology, Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology

Dr. Roman Pogranichniy is a veterinarian with advanced training in veterinary microbiology/virology, and his research interests are on viral infectious diseases, their pathogenesis and the development of new diagnostic and preventive methods for these diseases.

Dr. David Poole Dr. David Poole, MS, PhD
Email
University Distinguished Professor, Anatomy & Physiology

Dr. David Poole studies 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.

Dr. David Renter, DVM, PhD

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Professor, Director, Center for Outcomes Research and Epidemiology

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.

Dr. Juergen Richt, DVM, PhD

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University Distinguished Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology

Dr. Juergen Richt studies emerging zoonotic diseases, in particular influenza, rift valley, and prion diseases.

Dr. Michael Sanderson, MS, DVM

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Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology

The broad focus of Dr. Michael Sanderson's 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. His lab also studies Bovine Respiratory Disease and Foot and Mouth Disease.

Dr. Thomas Schermerhorn, VMD, DACVIM (SAIM)

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Professor, Clinical Sciences

Dr. Thomas Schermerhorn studies comparative glucose metabolism and diabetes.

Dr. Bruce Schultz, PhD
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Professor, Anatomy & Physiology

Dr. Bruce Schultz research focus is on defining the physiological mechanisms of epithelial ion transport in selected tissues and species.

Dr. Stacey Scroggs, PhD, MPH

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USDA Research Microbiologist

Dr. Stacey Scroggs studies the evolution, emergence, and control of arthropod-transmitted viruses that infect livestock, such as vesicular stomatitis virus, bluetongue virus, epizootic hemorrhagic fever virus, and West Nile virus.

Dr. Jishu Shi, DVM, MS, PhD

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Professor, Anatomy & Physiology

Dr. Jishu Shi’s runs the Laboratory of Vaccine Immunology, which develops vaccine adjuvants, novel diagnostic assays and vaccines for swine infectious diseases. Specifically, his lab focuses its research on African swine fever (ASF), Streptococcus suis, swine influenza virus (SIV), classical swine fever (CSF), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), and other emerging infectious diseases of swine.

Dr. Phillip Shults, PhD
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Research Entomologist, USDA

Dr. Phillip Shults studies insects, primarily biting midges, that transmit disease-causing pathogens in wildlife and livestock systems. His lab applies a broad range of next-generation molecular approaches to better understand the interactions between host, vector, and pathogen.

Dr. Kris Silver, PhD

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Associate Professor, Entomology

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

Dr. Dr. Dana Vanlandingham, MS, PhD

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Interim Associate Dean of Research
Professor, Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology

Dr. Dana Vanlandingham's research is focused on viruses transmitted by mosquitoes; the interactions between the virus, mosquito vector, and vertebrate host. Her lab's 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

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Assistant Professor, Anatomy & Physiology

Dr. Abbie Viscardi's research focus is on animal behavior and welfare. She is currently studying analgesia use in piglets to alleviate surgical castration and tail-docking pain.

Dr. Lihua Wang, MD, PhD
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Assistant Professor, Anatomy & Physiology

Dr. Lihua Wang's research is dedicated to developing innovative vaccines, diagnostics, and monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics for high-impact infectious diseases. By leveraging advanced technologies like mRNA, single B cell antibody discovery, and viral vector-based delivery, Dr. Wang’s group are actively addressing critical biological threats such as African swine fever, rabies, canine distemper, feline infectious peritonitis, and antimicrobial resistance.

Dr. Mark Weiss, BS, PhD

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Professor, Anatomy & Physiology

Dr. Mark 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.

Dr. Brad White, MS, DVM

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Professor and Director of Beef Cattle Institute, Clinical Sciences

Dr. Brad White studies preventative and therapeutic options for cattle health, primary area of emphasis in bovine respiratory disease.

Dr. William Wilson, PhD

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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.

Dr. Anna Zinovyeva, PhD

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Associate Professor, Biology

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