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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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Veterinary professor promotes pathology without borders , articleFrancisco Carvallo teaches outside in the heat to spread veterinary knowledge to Nicaragua and other Latin American countries.
Date: Oct 28, 2025 - -
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From death sentence to Olympic competition, the 'harebrained idea' that's saving horses , articleHow Jessica Gilbertie's breakthrough is revolutionizing treatment for medicine's most stubborn infections.
Date: Oct 27, 2025 - -
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Ecological forecasting research team crosses ecosystem boundaries , articleA $1 million, four-year National Science Foundation grant will help better understand how natural hazards impact the forest and soils that control the water quality that ends up in drinking water reservoirs.
Date: Oct 21, 2025 - -
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Up to $40 million in federal funding fuels research to revolutionize clean indoor air , articleWith the contract from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, an interdisciplinary research team led by Virginia Tech and Linsey Marr will create a “smoke alarm” for airborne contaminants that could cut respiratory illnesses by 25 percent and defuse the next pandemic.
Date: Oct 16, 2025 - -
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Breaking the parasite's code , articleVeterinary college researcher discovers fatal weakness in parasite affecting 40 million Americans.
Date: Oct 14, 2025 - -
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Postdoctoral associates and faculty recognized for research, service, and mentorship , articleThe university capped its 2025 National Postdoctoral Appreciation Week with a research showcase, luncheon,and presentation of awards recognizing outstanding postdoctoral associates and faculty mentors.
Date: Oct 09, 2025 - -
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Multi-institutional researchers offer first look at early data on childhood brain development , articleResearchers from across the nation, including Virginia Tech scientists, have made the first release of data from the nation’s largest long-term study of early brain and child development.
Date: Sep 24, 2025 - -
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Benchmark study tracks trends in dog behavior , articleThe Virginia Tech study, which seeks to understand the link between dog behavior and health, compiles four years of owner-reported data from over 47,000 dogs.
Date: Sep 10, 2025 -