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INVESTIGATOR: Sordillo, L.; Funk, J.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
MICHIGAN STATE UNIV
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN 48824

GRADUATE TRAINING OF VETERINARIANS IN ANIMAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND EPIDEMIOLOGY

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Infectious diseases of animals can greatly impact the security of food systems and have significant economic effects within the global economy. The pathogenesis and transmission of infectious agents at the farm level is a significant point of origin for subsequent food safety and public health issues. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of scientists who fully understand the vulnerabilities of the food supply beginning at the farm level and how compromises in animal biosecurity can impact public health. Veterinarians have unique skills sets in comparative medicine that could facilitate the study of animal populations, infectious diseases, and the impact of animal health on the food supply. Therefore, the goal of this proposed integrated doctoral program is to complement expertise in veterinary medicine with rigorous research training in the areas of animal infectious diseases and epidemiology to better address of food safety and biosecurity issues. This program will train two DVMs to address the national targeted expertise shortage area entitled "Sciences for Agricultural Biosecurity" within the major academic area of veterinary medicine. Fellows will graduate from this PhD program with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively address the complexities of how animal infectious diseases intersect with agricultural biosecurity and public health.

OBJECTIVES: The focus of this proposed integrated doctoral training program is to address the Targeted Expertise Shortage Area (TESA) of Agricultural Biosecurity within the veterinary medicine discipline. The proposal is aimed at filling the critical shortage of veterinarians with rigorous research training in animal health and biosecurity. Infectious diseases of animals can greatly impact the security of food systems and have significant economic effects within the global economy. The pathogenesis and transmission of infectious agents at the farm level is a significant point of origin for subsequent food safety and public health issues. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of scientists who fully understand the vulnerabilities of the food supply beginning at the farm level and how compromises in animal biosecurity can impact public health. Veterinarians have unique skills sets in comparative medicine that could facilitate the study of animal populations, infectious diseases, and the impact of animal health on the food supply. Therefore, the goal of this proposed integrated doctoral program is to complement expertise in veterinary medicine with rigorous basic research training in the areas of animal infectious diseases to better address on farm food safety and biosecurity issues. The proposed National Needs Fellowship (NNF) program will provide veterinarians with new competencies in basic infectious disease research through an integrated program of courses and research experiences in immunology, molecular microbiology, genomics, epidemiology, risk analyses, and food production systems. Fellows will graduate from this training program with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively address the complexities of how animal infectious diseases intersect with food safety and public health. Trainees will be prepared to enter the workforce and assume leadership roles related animal agriculture biosecurity at academic institutions, government organizations, and corporate settings.

APPROACH: The doctoral degree in Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology (CMIB) will be conducted in two phases. Phase I of the program will consist of acquiring and documenting a high degree of competence in fundamental and basic biomedical sciences and developing research skills. A core of basic graduate courses will be required for all fellows to ensure uniform excellence and depth of understanding in veterinary infectious diseases and epidemiology. Fellows will participate in a weekly seminar course focusing on critical topics in comparative medicine and integrative biology. The seminar course uses primary research articles to highlight the topic and in addition to seminal works, relevant papers are chosen to reflect the range of interests of graduate students participating in the course. Fellows will be required to participate in laboratory rotations during the first semester of the program. The fellow would be expected to learn research techniques, read related research papers, attend laboratory meetings and interact as much as possible with other students, staff, and faculty during the rotations. The overall goal of the rotation is to identify a major professor and a potential thesis research project. Upon completion of laboratory rotations, fellows will have the option of developing a dissertation proposal in microbial pathogenesis, immunopathogenesis, and/or molecular epidemiology. Phase I culminates with a comprehensive examination in which the depth and breadth of the candidate's knowledge will be tested. Phase II of the PhD program consists of conducting research, continuing to expand knowledge base by taking additional courses and seminars as necessary, and completing the research and defending the PhD dissertation. The written dissertation must be based upon original scholarly research. It must contribute new knowledge to the scientific community and result in, or be deemed by the student's guidance committee to have data sufficient in quantity and quality for, one or more research papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The defense will consist of a public lecture followed by an oral examination in which the candidate will defend the dissertation and knowledge of related scientific areas. The College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State continues to be ranked in the top ten compared to all other veterinary programs in the country. The College of Veterinary Medicine is the home of the CMIB graduate program and has access to support features from the pre-existing biomedical community including two medical schools (College of Human Medicine and College of Osteopathic Medicine). Michigan State is the only university in the country with 3 on campus medical schools. This provides unique opportunities to explore in more detail where human and veterinary medicine intersect to affect issues of animal biosecurity, food safety and public health. Trainees will be prepared to enter the workforce and assume leadership roles related animal agriculture biosecurity at academic institutions, government organizations, and corporate settings.

PROGRESS: 2010/01 TO 2014/12
Target Audience: The immediate target audience was the three DVM professionals recruited into the PhD degree program. Researchers in academia government, and industry that have an interest in infectious diseases and epidemiology in food animals will benefit from the resarch findings produced by each of the Fellows. Other important stakeholders that will benefit from the training of these professionals will be livestock producers. Future employers of the Fellows will also be a key target audience of this project. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The project provided several opportunities for training inlcuding guidance on how to formulate novel hypotheses and design appropriate experiments to answer those hypotheses. They were mentored on how to improve their scientific writing and oral presentation skills. The Fellows received guidance on the responsbile conduct of resarch and scientific integrity from their mentors and by participating in campus-wide programs on research ethics. Opportunities for professional development included attending national and international meetings as well as active participation in professional societies. The Fellows were able to participate in grant-writing classes, expand their teaching protfolios, and to attend specialized workshops in immunology and epidemiology. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results form this training program were disseminated to the USDA and other stakeholders in the form of reports and presentations. Each of the Fellows have published or will publish their dissertation research in peer-reviewed publications. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

IMPACT: 2010/01 TO 2014/12
What was accomplished under these goals? Three DVM professionals were recruited through this fellowship opportunity to complete a PhD degree program that would provide the skills needed to effectivley address the complexities of how animal infectious diseases intersect with food safety and public health. We were successful in recruiting 2 cadidates from under-represented moinorities. Each of the Fellows maintained excellent academic standing throughout their program with greater than 3.5 out of 4.0 grade point average with a rigorous course load in epidemiology, microbiology, molecular biolgy, pathology and physiology. The training and mentoring that the Fellows received prepared them to sucessfully enter the workforce based on their post-graduation placement. One of the Fellows completed his PhD program in 2013 and is now an assistant professor of epidemiology at the Ohio State Unversity. The second Fellow completed her PhD program in 2014 and now has a position as California Epidemiologic Investigation Service Fellow at the Califormia Department of Public Health. The third Fellow passed her preliminary examination in 2012, completed her dissertation research, and is expected to graduate in 2015. The dissertation resarch from each of the Fellows provided new infromation relating to bacterial shedding and antimicrobial resistance in dairy cattle, bacterial pathogenesis in finishing swine, and the immunopathology associated with Campylobacter jejuni infections.

PUBLICATIONS (not previously reported): 2010/01 TO 2014/12
1. Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Habing GG, Kaneene JB. 2011. Stopping rules in veterinary randomized controlled trials. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 239 (9):1197-9.
2. Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Habing GG, Neuder LM, Raphael W, Piper-Youngs H, Kaneene JB. 2011. Efficacy of oral administration of a modified-live Salmonella Dublin vaccine in calves. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 238 (9):1184-90.
3. Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Habing GG, Lombard JE, Kopral CA, Dargatz DA, Kaneene JB. 2012. Farm-level associations with the shedding of Salmonella and antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella in U.S. dairy cattle. Foodborne Pathog Dis. 9(9):815-21.
4. Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Tseng M, Fratamico PM, Manning SD, Funk JA. 2014. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in swine: the public health perspective. Anim Health Res Rev. 15(1):63-75.
5. Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Tseng M, Fratamico PM, Bagi L, Delannoy S, Fach P, Manning SD, Funk JA. 2014. Diverse virulence gene content of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli from finishing swine. Appl Environ Microbiol. 80(20):6395-402.
6. Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Tseng M, Fratamico PM, Bagi L, Manzinger D, Funk JA. 2015. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in swine: prevalence over the finishing period and characteristics of the STEC isolates. Epidemiol Infect. 143(3):505-14.
7. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: Gadsden BJ, Dybas L, Bell JA, Mansfield LS. Characterization of autoimmune peripheral neuropathy in NODCD86-/- mice as a Guillain Barr? Syndrome (GBS) model. Autumn Immunology Conference, Chicago IL, 16-19 November, 2012.
8. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: Mansfield LS, St. Charles JL, Gadsden BJ, Malik A, Kim HY, Bell JA. Comparison of induced small animal models for Guillain Barr? syndrome (GBS) as post infectious sequelae to Campylobacter jejuni infection, Conference of Research Workers on Animal Diseases, December 3, 2012.

PROGRESS: 2012/01/01 TO 2012/12/31
Target Audience: The immediate target audience is the fellows recruited into the training program. The fellows received formal classroom instruction, were involved with experimental research training in their respective fields of study, and were engaged in several career development activities. Scientists engaged in infectious disease and epidemiology research will benefit from the research conducted by each of the fellows. Finally, the future employers of the fellows are a key target audience of this program. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The current group of fellows were actively engaged in research training, attended several on-campus scientific presentations, participated in career development workshops offered by MSU’s graduate school, and attended annual scientific meetings associated with their respective fields of study. They have grown considerably this past year in their ability to think critically and to synthesize complex concepts across several disciplines. The program also has increased the interaction of faculty across the Michigan State University campus. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Dissemination activities for this program include presentations at scientific meetings, publications in peer-reviewed journals, research awards received, and other evidence of scholarship for each of the fellows. Professional networking also occurred at annual scientific meetings during the 2012-2013 year. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The remaining 2 fellows are on track to complete their graduate training program in the next reporting period.

IMPACT: 2012/01/01 TO 2012/12/31
What was accomplished under these goals? Three DVM professionals were successfully recruited into the PhD graduate program including Drs. Habling, Gadsden, and Tseng. We were able to recruit highly qualified women and minority students as National Needs Fellows under this program, thus enhancing the diversity of the graduate student population. The specific areas of research focus represented by this cohort of fellows include microbial pathogenesis, immunopathogenesis, and molecular epidemiology. Each of the fellows proved to be highly qualified individuals that met or exceeded the performance parameters of the typical graduate student in the Comparative Medicine and Integrated Biology graduate program. They all completed the rigorous course requirements with excellent GPAs. Dr. Habling completed his PhD program in 2012 and is now an assistant professor at the Ohio State University. Drs. Gadsden and Tseng successfully passed their comprehensive examinations in 2012 and are on track to complete their programs in the spring of 2014. Collectively, they have published 5 peer-reviewed publications and presented 16 abstracts at professional meetings during their program of study.

PUBLICATIONS: 2012/01/01 TO 2012/12/31
No publications reported this period.

PROGRESS: 2011/01/01 TO 2011/12/31
OUTPUTS: A total of 3 DVM professionals were successfully recruited into the PhD graduate program during the first funding year of the program. The 2 USDA National Needs Fellows began their programs in August 2010. A third DVM was recruited at the same time as part of the non-required Michigan State University match to the USDA funding. We were able to recruit highly qualified women and minority students as National Needs Fellows under this program, thus enhancing the diversity of the graduate student population. All of the fellows successfully completed 3 semesters of course work, identified major advisors, formed their guidance committees and initiated their specific research projects. The specific areas of research focus represented by this cohort of fellows include microbial pathogenesis, immunopathogenesis, and molecular epidemiology. The fellows are on track to compete the first phase of their program that culminates with a comprehensive examination. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

IMPACT: 2011/01/01 TO 2011/12/31
Veterinarians have unique skills sets in comparative medicine that could facilitate the study of animal populations, infectious diseases, and the impact of animal health on the food supply. Therefore, the goal of this proposed integrated doctoral program is to complement expertise in veterinary medicine with rigorous research training in the areas of animal infectious diseases and epidemiology to better address of food safety and biosecurity issues. The current group of Fellows will address this critical need. They have grown considerably this past year in their ability to think critically and to synthesize complex concepts across several disciplines. The program also has increased the interaction of faculty across the Michigan State University campus.

PUBLICATIONS: 2011/01/01 TO 2011/12/31
No publications reported this period

PROGRESS: 2010/01/01 TO 2010/12/31
Infectious diseases of animals can greatly impact the security of food systems and have significant economic effects within the global economy. The pathogenesis and transmission of infectious agents at the farm level is a significant point of origin for subsequent food safety and public health issues. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of scientists who fully understand the vulnerabilities of the food supply beginning at the farm level and how compromises in animal biosecurity can impact public health. Veterinarians have unique skills sets in comparative medicine that could facilitate the study of animal populations, infectious diseases, and the impact of animal health on the food supply. Therefore, the goal of this proposed integrated doctoral program is to complement expertise in veterinary medicine with rigorous research training in the areas of animal infectious diseases and epidemiology to better address of food safety and biosecurity issues. We successfully recruited 2 DVM professionals into the PhD graduate program during the first funding year of the program. Both fellows have formed their guidance committees and are on track to finish within the 3 years allotted for their program. PRODUCTS: Fellowships were awarded to two DVM graduate students that enrolled in the PhD graduate program for the fall 2010. OUTCOMES: The new Fellows identified major advisors to mentor them through their programs. Graduate committees were formed for both Fellows and a course of graduate study was established. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Available fellowships for this program were advertised at several scientific meetings and on the Michigan State University website. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Based on the success of this program, additional DVMs will be recruited to complete a similar training curriculum.

IMPACT: 2010/01/01 TO 2010/12/31
This program will train two DVMs to address the national targeted expertise shortage area entitled "Sciences for Agricultural Biosecurity" within the major academic area of veterinary medicine. Fellows will graduate from this PhD program with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively address the complexities of how animal infectious diseases intersect with agricultural biosecurity and public health.

PUBLICATIONS: 2010/01/01 TO 2010/12/31
No publications reported this period