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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
Research Training Programs
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Latest News
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A horse named Pea is first to test focused ultrasound treatment of skin tumors called sarcoids , articleMore horses are needed for the clinical study of histotripsy's effects on sarcoids, which could pave the way for further advances in noninvasive tumor treatments for animals and people.
Date: Sep 22, 2026 - -
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Undergraduate researcher from Brazil investigates equine joint supplements , articleBecause joint stress is a universal issue for performance horses globally, Priscila Wadt Puglisi Franco's research has wide-reaching implications.
Date: Sep 21, 2026 - -
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College of Engineering's Major Grants Initiative funds interdisciplinary research , articleWith topics from infrastructure and critical minerals to robotics, extended reality, and more, the 10 funded projects include both emerging collaborations and established teams.
Date: Sep 18, 2026 - -
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Blocking a microRNA reverses deadly lung disease in preclinical study , articleIn a study published in Science Translational Medicine, researchers led by Yassine Sassi of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute found that elevated levels of microRNA-224 promoted abnormal cell growth in the lungs’ blood vessels, contributing to disease.
Date: Sep 02, 2026 - -
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NIH bets $2 million on a virologist studying how cells decide to die , articleInside every infection, a microscopic war plays out with sacrifice, deception, and last-minute warnings between cells. A Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine virologist recently won a rare National Institutes of Health award to find out what determines who wins.
Date: Aug 20, 2026 - -
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Veterinary students expand horizons into biomedical research through summer program in 19th year , articleCovering topics ranging from infectious diseases to oncology to public health, 11 students made meaningful contributions to science and gained valuable mentor-led experience that could define a career path.
Date: Aug 13, 2026 - -
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Researchers begin to uncover how cryptococcus shifts from silent infection to killer fungus , articleKirsten Nielsen’s laboratory has identified the "previously unappreciated diversity" of immune cells that keep cryptococcus in check for the vast majority of people who are infected with this potentially deadly fungus.
Date: Aug 06, 2026 - -
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Scientists restore lost protein to reverse lung disease in preclinical models , articleResearchers at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC identified a protein that helps keep lung blood vessels healthy. Restoring the protein in preclinical models reversed key features of a rare disease that causes dangerously high blood pressure in the lungs.
Date: Jul 30, 2026 -