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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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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.
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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.
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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Hope through innovation: Clinical trials offer new options for pets , articleRobyn Fox, the veterinary college's new clinical trials coordinator, bridges the gap between innovative research and the practical realities of patient care.
Date: May 06, 2025 - -
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Inaugural winners of new research awards named , articleEstablished by the Office of Research and Innovation and Office of Faculty Affairs and funded by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, the new awards were created to complement the Jacob A Lutz Award for Eminent Scholars.
Date: May 05, 2025 - -
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Researchers investigate low-intensity electrical pulses to help the immune system fight cancer , articleHigh-intensity electrical pulses have been medically used to destroy tumors while sparing healthy tissue. But lower-intensity pulses may have a different effect — they reshape the battlefield, making tumors more vulnerable to the body’s own defenses.
Date: Apr 17, 2025 - -
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A new perspective on parasites — Gustavo Baptista joins veterinary college research team , articleBaptista hopes his fascination with these microscopic invaders will drive innovative research that could one day lead to better treatments for animals and humans.
Date: Apr 14, 2025 - -
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CALS Global Opportunity Initiative cohort cultivates collaboration in Ethiopia , articleAs part of the CALS Global Opportunity Initiative, faculty traveled to Ethiopia to partner with local researchers to tackle shared agricultural and health issues and form new global partnerships.
Date: Mar 20, 2025 - -
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One in 10 Americans is living with a rare disease , articleOn Rare Disease Day, we recognize Virginia Tech researchers working to identify, treat, and support patients diagnosed with conditions that individually affect 200,000 or fewer in the U.S.
Date: Feb 27, 2025 - -
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Ira Blader among 65 fellows elected to American Academy of Microbiology , articleBlader, head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine researches how parasites interact with their hosts.
Date: Feb 27, 2025 -
