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Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine has a robust research program that spans basic biomedical sciences in infectious (viral, bacterial, and parasitic) and non-infectious (immune-mediated and oncologic) diseases to veterinary clinical research to translational to public health. The program's overall goal is to apply our research to improve the lives of pets and people.
Basic biomedical sciences include the use of appropriate animal models for diseases to better understand the disease process, a prerequisite for the development of better preventive and therapeutic strategies.
With a focus on One Health, our program brings together veterinarians, physicians, and other scientists to address public health threats affecting both people and animals.
Our translational research approach aims to take laboratory findings directly to clients in a clinical setting.
Ongoing clinical trials in our hospitals test research discoveries to develop better methods of disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Our faculty, students, staff, and research partners are committed to discovery, service, and training future researchers and veterinarians.
Centers
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(Meta)Genomics-Based Pathogen Identification Center for Animal and Plant Disease Diagnostics, Biosecurity, and Pandemic Prevention , articleToday’s growing destruction of ecosystems, worldwide trade of plant and animals, and human travel exasperate the risk of plant and animal disease emergence and spread. Early detection, precise identification, and thorough characterization of emerging pathogens using agnostic genomic and metagenomic sequencing could lead to faster interventions to lower the chances that a local disease outbreak turns into an epidemic or pandemic. Therefore, at Virginia Tech, the Virginia Tech Animal Laboratory Services and the Virginia Tech Plant Disease Clinic joined forces to establish a (meta)genomics-based pathogen identification service center for animal and plant disease diagnostics, biosecurity, and pandemic prevention.
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Center for One Health Research , articleThe Center for One Health Research (COHR) gathers faculty, staff, and students from VA-MD Vet Med and the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine who have a shared interest in cooperative research and scholarship related to infectious diseases. This collaboration is founded on the two schools’ One Health philosophy, which is based on the understanding that animal health, human health, and the environment are inextricably linked; consequently, professionals from these fields must work together to protect, promote, and improve overall health. The center coordinates research, instruction, and outreach activities related to understanding the disease processes that affect both animal and human health, and supports the continued advancement of the science and technology of disease-intervention strategies.
Signature Research Programs
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Comparative, Translational, and Veterinary Research , articleResearch themes include clinical veterinary medicine research and translational medicine from laboratory animals to clinical veterinary and human patients; stem cell biology and its application; clinical trials management; and human-animal bond/interactions.
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Immune-mediated / Inflammatory Diseases Research , articleResearch themes include animal models for immune-mediated diseases, and understanding the mechanisms of such as autoimmune diseases and inflammatory diseases (eg. inflammatory bowel disease). Specific interests include role of epigenetics, microbiome, and environmental hormonal factors on these diseases; transition of inflammation leading to cancer; induction of immunity in oncologic conditions; and translational research.
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Neuropathobiology Research , articleResearch themes include animal models for neurodevelopment and traumatic injury, neurovascularization, neuroinflammation, and neuro-oncology; and translational research.
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Pathogenic Microbiology / Infectious Diseases Research , articleResearch themes include animal models for human and veterinary infectious diseases; and understanding the pathogenesis of the diseases, immunity to infectious and its prevention: development of vaccines and drugs, mechanisms of drug resistance, and translational research.
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Public Health Research , articleResearch focused on infectious diseases epidemiology and public health education that addresses the individual, social, and ecological determinants of health, reflects the human-animal-environment One Health interface, promotes health equity, and builds healthy communities.
Laboratories
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Research Training Programs
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Latest News
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Toxic well water will affect household pets first, new study finds , articleIn dog drinking water sampled from wells across the country, 64 percent contained excessive levels of at least one potentially toxic heavy metal, such as lead, iron, sulfur, or arsenic. Because heavy metal contaminants are often tasteless, odorless, and invisible, homeowners may not know there’s something in the water — until their dog gets sick.
Date: Aug 06, 2025 - -
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Steger Center strengthens its role as hub for global collaboration , articleDuring his visit to Switzerland, Dan Sui, senior vice president for research and innovation, highlighted how the center is advancing the university’s Global Distinction goals by fostering connections between faculty and international partners.
Date: Aug 06, 2025 - -
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Partnership advances fight against antibiotic-resistant infections , articleIn May, the National Institutes of Health awarded TAXIS a $2.9 million grant to further advance research and development efforts for its dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors as a novel approach to combat multi-drug-resistant gonorrhea with the lab of Virginia Tech bacteriologist Mohamed Seleem as a sub-awardee.
Date: Jul 29, 2025 - -
Video ItemSeleem Lab partners with private enterprise to win new NIH grant , video
The Seleem Lab based at the Centre for One Health at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, recently received an NIH grant in collaboration with TAXIS Pharmaceuticals, to support its work on developing treatments for multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a disease that impacts 120 million people worldwide every year.
Date: Jul 21, 2025 - -
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X.J. Meng named second vice president of Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine , articleMeng's appointment builds on a career defined by solving problems that matter. As holder of more than 20 U.S. patents and an elected fellow of the National Academy of Inventors since 2014, he's proven that basic scientific research can translate into tangible products that change lives, grow the economy, and benefit society.
Date: Jul 09, 2025 - -
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Katie LaVallee named leader of Animal Resources and Care Division , articleLaVallee has been appointed university attending veterinarian and director of the Animal Resources and Care Division, a position she has had in an interim capacity since December 2024.
Date: Jul 01, 2025 - -
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Experts available: Iran airstrikes, presidential powers, extreme heat impacts, keeping pets safe, and more , articleVirginia Tech experts are available to discuss items in the news, including U.S. airstrikes on Iran's nuclear sites, the extent of presidential war powers, impacts of extreme heat on power consumption, pets, and lawns, and more.
Date: Jun 23, 2025 - -
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From lab coats to life paths, a day of career discovery , articleThe day after showcasing groundbreaking research, Virginia Tech's veterinary graduate students swapped microscopes for mentors at their first-ever Professional Development Day. Alumni who started in the same program shared wildly different career journeys — from Google to NIH to specialty practice — while teaching essential skills academic training doesn't cover: personal branding, networking, and translating scientific precision into career resilience.
Date: Jun 04, 2025 -