Faculty Research Laboratory Websites

Led by principal investigator Orsolya Balogh, associate professor of theriogenology in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, the Balogh Laboratory's primary research interests are the regulation of normal uterine contractility during canine parturition, and the endocrine and molecular mechanisms underlying absent or insufficient labor contractions in dogs with uterine inertia

Led by principal investigator Michele Borgarelli, professor of cardiology in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, the Comparative Cardiovascular Laboratory is a translational research group that studies cardiovascular diseases affecting dogs and humans. The lab's research focuses on chronic degenerative mitral valve disease (CDVD) in dogs.

Led by principal investigator Blaise Costa, pharmacology professor at Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine. His office and laboratory are located at the Virginia Tech Center for One Health Research facility. Costa lab is interested in developing novel treatment strategies for neurological and psychiatric disorders that affect human beings and other animals.

Led by principal investigator Raj Gaji, assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, the Gaji Lab focuses on understanding the biology and pathogenesis of important human pathogen Toxoplasma gondii with a long-term to develop safe and effective therapy against toxoplasmosis.

Led by principal investigator Jessica Gilbertie, professor of microbiology in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, the Gilbertie Lab researches the host-microbial interactions of biofilms and the use of novel anti-infectives with multimodal actions.

Led by principal investigator Erin Gloag, assistant professor of microbiology and biofilm biology in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, the Gloag Lab's mission is to discover and understand the mechanisms by which pathogenic bacterial biofilms persist in a host to establish chronic infections.

Led by principal investigator Julia Gohlke, professor of environmental health in the Department of Population Health Sciences, the Gohlke Research Group focuses on the development of methods to assess the role of the environment in human health.

Led by principal investigator Xin M. Luo, associate professor of immunology in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, the Luo Laboratory's research interests are immunological, microbial, and nutritional regulation of autoimmunity and immunodeficiency, focusing on how commensal bacteria in the gut affect the host immune system, and vice versa.

Led by principal investigator X.J. Meng, University Distinguished Professor of Molecular Virology in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, the Meng Laboratory studies emerging and zoonotic viruses that are of human and veterinary public health importance. Current research focuses on delineating the mechanisms of viral replication and pathogenesis and developing viral vaccines.

Led by principal investigator Rell Parker, this translational research lab investigates neurologic disorders of people and animals. Our research is focused on the functional changes that occur in the nervous system in response to chronic pain.

Led by principal investigator Roger Ramirez-Barrios, clinical associate professor of veterinary parasitology in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, the Ramirez-Barrios Lab's studies gastrointestinal parasites and vector-borne parasites in domestic animals.

Led by principal investigator Kelly Roballo, faculty for cell biology and physiology at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Roballo lab focuses on neurodegenerative diseases and regenerative medicine.

Led by principal investigator John Rossmeisl, Dr. and Mrs. Dorsey Taylor Mahin Professor of Neurology/Neurosurgery in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, the Veterinary and Comparative Neuro-oncology Laboratory is a translational research group whose primary mission is to develop more-effective methods for the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors affecting companion animals and humans.

Led by principal investigator Stephen Smith, the Aquatic Medicine Program and Laboratory serve as a resource and aquatic animal facility for faculty and graduate students. The program focuses on the diseases, diagnosis, pathology, immunology, parasitology and bacteriology of both vertebrate and invertebrate aquatic organisms. The Aquatic Medicine Laboratory is equipped to maintain a variety of freshwater and marine species and to provide a basic laboratory for investigations into these organisms. The lab also serves as a source of collaborative efforts with other institutions and agencies interested in the culture, diseases, and problems associated with aquatic organisms.

Led by principal investigator Joanne Tuohy, Assistant Professor of Surgical Oncology, the Comparative Oncology Research Laboratory is housed at the Animal Cancer Care and Research Center at the Roanoke Virginia Tech campus, and includes clinician scientists and researchers who embrace the One Health concept to improve cancer outcomes for veterinary and human patients.

Led by principal investigator Xiaogang Wang, assistant professor of microbiology in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, the Wang Laboratory studies the pathogenesis of staphylococcal infections and extracellular membrane vesicles.

Led by principal investigator Lijuan Yuan, professor of virology and immunology in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, the Yuan Laboratory studies the interactions among enteric viruses, probiotics, and the host immune system.