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K-State Today

June 19, 2017

Transboundary diseases mini-symposium offered June 21

Submitted by Sarah Hancock

The Biosecurity Research Institute, or BRI, and the Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases, or CEEZAD, are offering a mini-symposium from 1:15-5 p.m. June 21 at Pat Roberts Hall.

Stephen Higgs, BRI research director, and Juergen Richt, CEEZAD director, will serve as co-hosts of "Transboundary Diseases of Importance to U.S Agriculture and Animal Health." The event is free, but seating is limited, so an RSVP is required by 5 p.m. on June 20. Call Greg Peterson at 785-532-1167 or email gjpeters@bri.ksu.edu to RSVP.

Speakers and topics will be:

  • Alfonso Torres, Cornell University: "Foot-and-Mouth Disease in South America: The End is Near."
  • Young Lyoo, Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea: "Repeated Outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in the Korean Peninsula."
  • Jonathan Arzt, USDA Agricultural Research Service Plum Island Animal Disease Center: "Integrating Animal Studies and Endemic Field Work in Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research." 
  • Emmie De Wit, NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Rocky Mountain Laboratories: "Transmission and Pathogenesis of Nipah Virus."
  • Chris Detter, MRIGlobal: Genomics of emerging infectious diseases.
  • Alan Young, South Dakota State University and Medgene Labs LLC: Translational research.

The mini-symposium is offered in conjunction with a Department of Homeland Security-funded two-week training program developed by CEEZAD in cooperation with the BRI. Ten students are participating in the program. Selected students include graduate students and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students from around the nation who have demonstrated career interest in transboundary and zoonotic diseases of animals. The first week consists of hands-on containment research education at the BRI. During the second week, students hear lectures from invited guest speakers and make field visits to Kansas State University business and industry partners in the Greater Kansas City Animal Health Corridor.