Featured Faculty and Research

Browse our featured faculty and their research. For the full CPB directory click here.

Uma Aryal

Uma Aryal

Research Associate Professor

Research Information:

His research goal is to obtain mechanistic view of cellular pathways and processes using systems-level knowledge. Uma has published more than 30 peer reviewed research and review articles. At the Bindley, Dr. Aryal continues working with other researchers at the interface between biology and proteomics, and is interested to develop new MS-based tools to discover new protein complexes, and protein-protein interactions.

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Wendy Beauvais, BVetMed, MSc (VetEpi), PhD

Wendy Beauvais, BVetMed, MSc (VetEpi), PhD

Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health

Research Information:

Dr. Wendy Beauvais is a veterinary epidemiologist with methodological strengths in analytic epidemiology (including study design, data collection, data analysis), and exploratory and predictive epidemiology (including mathematical modelling and risk assessment). I am motivated by developing new methodological approaches to global sustainability challenges, particularly: meeting global demands for safe food, controlling zoonotic diseases, combatting antimicrobial resistance, and protecting endangered wildlife. A common theme in my research is dealing with different types of uncertainty, including epistemic uncertainties (lack of knowledge), stochasticity (inherent randomness) and natural variation (often by time and space). I am particularly excited about using simulation tools to synthesize evidence and inform decision-making.

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Meaghan Maureen Broman, DVM, PhD, DACVP

Meaghan Maureen Broman, DVM, PhD, DACVP

Assistant Professor, Diagnostic Pathology

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Abigail Cox, DVM, PhD

Abigail Cox, DVM, PhD

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF VETERINARY ANATOMIC PATHOLOGY

Research Information:

Dr. Abby Cox pursues a unique area of translational research that focuses on understanding the pathophysiology of voice disorders and the gross and microscopic anatomy of the vocal folds across species.  Her research explores the intersection of pathology, physiology, histology, and phonation mechanics that affects 7.5 million people with voice problems in the United States.  She has published peer-reviewed articles in her laryngopathology research and has presented her research at local and national meetings.  She maintains ongoing research grant support for her projects dealing with vocal fold pathobiology and biomechanics.

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Candace Croney, PhD

Candace Croney, PhD

ASSOCIATE VICE PROVOST OF DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING AND DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR ANIMAL WELFARE SCIENCE AND PROFESSOR OF ANIMAL BEHAVIOR AND WELL-BEING

Research Information:

Dr. Candace Croney's goal is to generate new information about best care practices for agricultural and companion animals.  She uses animals' behavioral, cognitive and physical health responses to evaluate their quality of life, focusing on dogs in commercial breeding kennels, confined cats, and farmed pigs. She also studies to understand the ethical implications of animal care and use decisions, and public perceptions of animal agriculture, animal welfare and related policies.  The results of her studies are used by educators, farmers, retailers, restaurant chains, pet industry groups, governmental and non-governmental organizations focused on improving animal welfare and public outreach.  Her research on canine welfare recently resulted in a new national certification program that sets rigorous standards for the care of dogs and puppies by professional dog breeders.

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Sriveny Dangoudoubiyam

Sriveny Dangoudoubiyam

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF VETERINARY PARISITOLOGY

Research Information:

Dr. Sriveny Dangoudoubiyam researchs zoonotic ascarids and larva migrans Anthelmintic resistance in parasites host-pathogenic interaction of tissue-cyst producing coccidia.

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Amanda Darbyshire, DVM, Diplomate, ACLAM

Amanda Darbyshire, DVM, Diplomate, ACLAM

Laboratory Animal Veterinarian

Research Information:



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Ben Elzey

Ben Elzey

RESEARCH ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

Research Information:

Dr. Bennett D. Elzey is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology. His research interests include investigating and understanding the immunosuppressive role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells that prevents effective immunotherapy of cancers, and the role platelet CD40 Ligand plays in shaping the adaptive immune response. He is also the Director of the Biological Evaluation Shared Resource in the Purdue University Center for Cancer Research where Center members’ novel anti-tumor drugs or therapies can be tested for efficacy in rodent models for most cancer types.

https://www.cancerresearch.purdue.edu/research/resources/biological-evaluation



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Rainer Fischer

Rainer Fischer

Research Professor

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Ahmed Abdelkhalek Hassan, BSPharm, PhD

Ahmed Abdelkhalek Hassan, BSPharm, PhD

Research Assistant Professor

Research Information:



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Harm HogenEsch, DVM, PhD

Harm HogenEsch, DVM, PhD

ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR RESEARCH AND PROFESSOR OF IMMUNOPATHOLOGY

Research Information:

Dr. Harm HogenEsch’s laboratory is interested in increasing the efficacy and safety of vaccines by developing new adjuvants and improving vaccine formulations. Their work focuses on vaccines to be used in animals and humans. A second line of research in Dr. HogenEsch’s lab is aimed at developing better diagnostic methods and therapies for chronic allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis.

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Stephen B. Hooser, DVM, PhD, DABVT

Stephen B. Hooser, DVM, PhD, DABVT

PROFESSOR OF TOXICOLOGY AND HEAD, TOXICOLOGY SECTION, ADDL; DIPLOMATE, AND PAST PRESIDENT, AMERICAN BOARD OF VETERINARY TOXICOLOGY

Research Information:

Dr. Stephen Hooser’s primary appointment is in Engagement as the Head of the Toxicology Section of the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. In this capacity, he communicates and consults with veterinarians and animal owners regarding suspected or confirmed cases of poisoning in animals. In addition, he helps guide diagnostic testing and provides interpretation of results. Dr. Hooser also speaks to veterinary and lay audiences about toxicoses in animals. Teaching: Dr. Hooser teaches veterinary toxicology to D.V.M. and veterinary technology students. Research: Dr. Hooser’s research interests are in mechanisms of liver injury, hepatotoxicants and development of new diagnostic methods.

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Christoph Konradt, PhD

Christoph Konradt, PhD

Assistant Professor of Immunology

Research Information:

Research Focus 1: The role of EC in the immune response

There are more than 10 trillion EC in the human body, that cover 4000 m2, and these are an important replicative niche for a subset of micro-organisms such as Dengue virus, West Nile Virus, CMV, S. aureus and T. gondii. For many micro-organisms the ability to infect EC is a key part of their pathogenesis. Indeed, EC express TLR and influence coagulation and neutrophil recruitment and their activation can lead to vascular damage, while expression of adhesion molecules promotes extravasation of inflammatory cells. Numerous in vitro studies have demonstrated that EC can be activated by cytokines to limit viral, bacterial and parasite replication. Furthermore, evidence that EC interact with the adaptive response is implicit in the ability of EC to present MHC class I & II restricted antigens. However, whether EC antigen presentation via MHC-I or MHC-II has a tolerogenic or inflammatory role during infection remains unclear. Therefore, there is a major knowledge gap in our understanding in the involvement of EC in orchestrating a T cell response or how the immune system reacts to infected EC in vivo.

Research Focus 2: Immune responses at the Maternal-Fetal Interface

The maternal-fetal interface is the interface between the uterine mucosa and the extraembryonic tissues of the developing conceptus. The placenta functions as the primary nutrient and gas exchange organ of the fetus by diverting maternal blood flow from the uterus. Once inside the placenta, maternal blood exchanges nutrients, gases, and metabolic waste products with fetal blood coursing through a physically separate vasculature that connects to the fetus via the umbilical cord. A successful pregnancy involves complex interactions between fetal trophoblasts, endothelial cells and maternal decidual immune cells, creating an immunologically unique site that allows the tolerance to the allogenic fetus but still maintains host defense against possible pathogens. Infections are a well-described cause for fetal losses and stillbirths, as well as for perinatal morbidity. Indeed, infections are accounted for up to 15% of early miscarriages and up to 66% of late miscarriages. Moreover, infections can further lead to preterm birth or infants with birth defects leading to lifelong disabilities. This is accompanied with significant health care costs and a burden for the mothers mental health and psychological wellbeing. Immune responses at the maternal-fetal interface during infection are poorly understood and there is a real need for a better understanding of the immunological mechanisms at this site.



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Nadia Atallah Lanman, PhD

Nadia Atallah Lanman, PhD

RESEARCH ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

Research Information:

Dr. Nadia Lanman is a Research Assistant Professor of Comparative Pathobiology and the Manager of the Purdue Collaborative Core for Cancer Bioinformatics.  Dr. Lanman’s research interests are focused on using bioinformatics to gain insights into cancer biology.  Cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease, which complicates identification of proper treatment protocols, of ongogenic drivers, and in alterations which lead to treatment resistance.  Using a combination of genotypic, transcriptomic, epigenetic, and phenotypic information can lead to a greater understanding of the drivers of oncogenesis as well as the development of resistance to chemotherapy.  Dr. Lanman is paticularly interested in data integration and the use of large-scale datasets to generate predictive models that can inform treatment decisions.    An additional research interest is in the development of tools that provide biological insights from high throughput sequencing data, particularly in the field of epigenomics.

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Hyunwoo Lee, PhD

Hyunwoo Lee, PhD

Research Associate Professor

Research Information:



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Tsang long Lin

Tsang long Lin

Professor, Veterinary Pathology

Research Information:


Research Interests:

Diagnostic pathology

Molecular pathology and immunohistopathology of infectious, toxic and neoplastic diseases

Avian, swine and fish laboratory animal pathology

Anatomic Pathology


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Geoff Lossie

Geoff Lossie

Clinical Assistant Professor, Pathology

Research Information:


Research Interests:

Avian Diagnostics

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Joanne B. Messick, VMD, PhD

Joanne B. Messick, VMD, PhD

PROFESSOR OF VETERINARY CLINICAL PATHOLOGY

Research Information:

Dr. Joanne Messick’s lab focuses on hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas), blood-borne bacteria that targets red blood cells of many different mammalian species (cats, dogs, pigs, sheep, alpacas, and others).  The bacteria may cause a primary infection (acute hemolytic anemia) in cats and sheep, while chronic, often asymptomatic infection in pigs and alpacas is the more common presentation.  It’s not clear why these hemoplasmas affect some of the host species differently.  Those differences are a driving force behind the genomics research that Dr. Messick and her graduate students are doing on the bacteria. An additional area of research interest in the Messick lab is exploring the development of red blood cell antioxidant defenses in cats with diabetes. The cat’s cells are extremely sensitivity to damage by these radicals, especially their red blood cells.  By studying the control of gene expression (microRNAs), they hope to identify the weak point(s) in the of the antioxidant mechanisms in feline red blood cells and target it therapeutically to reverse the red cell and systemic effects of free radicals.

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Suresh K. Mittal, DVM, PhD

Suresh K. Mittal, DVM, PhD

DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR OF VIROLOGY, UNIVERSITY FACULTY SCHOLAR, MEMBER OF PURDUE CANCER CENTER, AND MEMBER OF BINDLEY BIOSCIENCE CENTER

Research Information:

Dr. Suresh Mittal is one of the leaders in designing novel adenoviral vectors for gene delivery. He is working for the development of a universal influenza vaccine taking into consideration of emerging avian influenza viruses. He is also developing strategies for immunotherapy for cancer. Recently he has initiated a collaborative program to develop an effective vaccine for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Other areas of his expertise include animal models for infectious diseases and cancer, and innate and adaptive immunity.

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Sanjeev Narayanan, BVSc, PhD

Sanjeev Narayanan, BVSc, PhD

PROFESSOR AND HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMPARATIVE PATHOBIOLOGY

Research Information:

Dr. Sanjeev Narayanan is a board certified Veterinary Pathologist and Veterinary Microbiologist.  Dr. Narayanan’s research focuses on identifying tools and practices that reduce the use of antibiotics in food animals.  Vaccination and feeding probiotics are two viable alternatives currently tested for their effectiveness in reducing the incidence of multidrug resistant bacteria in animal facilities.  This research has tremendous impact on human health because it reduces the rise and spread of antibiotic resistance in our environment.  Efforts are on to develop vaccines for important diseases of cattle currently controlled by antibiotic use, such as liver abscesses.



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Leanne Nieforth, PhD

Leanne Nieforth, PhD

Assistant Professor, Human-Animal Bond

Research Information:



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Deepti Pillai, BVSc, MVSc, PhD

Deepti Pillai, BVSc, MVSc, PhD

Clinical Associate Professor, Diagnostic Microbiology/Section Head of Serology and Virology

Research Information:


Research Interests:

Antimicrobial resistance

Identifying critical bacterial targets as vaccine candidates


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Andrea Santos, DVM, MSc, PhD

Andrea Santos, DVM, MSc, PhD

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF VETERINARY CLINICAL PATHOLOGY

Research Information:

Dr. Andrea Santos’ research will be focused on the role of microRNAs in the regulation of different cancers and their use as biomarkers for early diagnosis of disease. MicroRNAs are small molecules composed of genetic material and are responsible for the gene regulation in several biological processes in health. These circulating molecules are altered in several diseases making them excellent candidates for biomarker discovery. Many studies in human and animal cancers have shown that these altered microRNAs can be detected in early stages of cancers, increasing the chance of successful treatment. It has been also reported that some microRNAs can be used to predict cancer behavior, as well as to monitor the efficacy of the treatment. Given many similarities between some canine and human cancers, the research will focus on diseases that can use the dog as an animal model for humans.

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Hsin-Yi Weng, BVM, MPH, PhD

Hsin-Yi Weng, BVM, MPH, PhD

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF CLINICAL/ANALYTICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY

Research Information:

Dr. Hsin-Yi Weng’s main research interests are in applying epidemiologic methods to studies promoting animal health and welfare and human-animal interactions. Three current research directions are 1) developing proactive risk models for identification of ‘hot spots’ for animal disease introduction in Indiana utilizing routinely collected data;  2) establishing an animal disease surveillance program using free-text veterinary medical records; 3) investigating health effects of family pets on maternal and child health. The outcomes of the first two research directions are automatic computer programs that can generate streamline information for animal disease prevention. The overarching goal of the last research direction is to develop novel interventions that help new mothers maintain a healthy human-animal bond and utilize animal companionship to promote their and their children’s health.

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Christina Wilson-Frank, PhD

Christina Wilson-Frank, PhD

CLINICAL ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF TOXICOLOGY AND HEAD CHEMIST, ADDL

Research Information:

Dr. Christina Wilson’s research, teaching, and engagement interests and activities are centered on veterinary toxicology and analytical toxicology as they relate to veterinary medicine. Her research interests, specifically, include methods development using MALDI-TOF MS for rapid detection of small molecule toxicants and protein toxins for diagnostic toxicology.  With regard to teaching, in addition to teaching toxicology courses in the College of Veterinary Medicine, she is involved in and has an interest in teaching undergraduate and post-baccalaureate (DVM) students bench research in her toxicology laboratory.  The laboratory research projects for students are intended to assist the toxicology laboratory in developing new diagnostic methods and teach them lab skills and basic research principles.  Over the past several years, she has been involved in a variety of engagement activities.  Her interest in engagement activities includes P-12 engagement through mentoring high school students in science projects, participating in career fair days at high schools and elementary schools, and giving presentations to various undergraduate student clubs at Purdue University.

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GuangJun Zhang, Ph.D.

GuangJun Zhang, Ph.D.

JOHN T. AND WINIFRED M. HAYWARD ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF GENETIC RESEARCH, GENETIC EPIDEMIOLOGY AND COMPARATIVE MEDICINE

Research Information:

Dr. GuangJun Zhang’s research mainly focuses on finding cancer causing genes (i.e. cancer driver genes, whose mutations contribute to cancer imitation, progression and metastasis) by cross-species comparative cancer genetic approach. These genes are important for cancer therapy, diagnosis and prevention. In addition, Dr. Zhang is conducting research on ion channels and vertebrate development using zebrafish as a model. Moreover, Dr. Zhang also teaches a cancer genetics/genomic seminar class to promote the students’ understanding on the genetic factors in both human and veterinary diseases.

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