Research & Funding


With niche strengths in immunology and host-pathogen interactions, Penn Vet is an integral part of the biomedical community here at the University of Pennsylvania. We bring a valuable and significant component to the investigation, surveillance, and prevention of zoonotic emerging and reemerging infectious diseases within local, regional, and global contexts. 


Finding answers to local problems that lead to global solutions

Our team is uniquely positioned to:

  • Direct and administer basic research on pathogenesis of infectious agents
  • Validate vaccine candidates for infectious diseases
  • Leverage new and existing diagnostic tools to accelerate comprehensive surveillance of wildlife health
  • Activate and inform an array of investigative and diagnostic information networks across multiple states
  • Expand the skill-sets of veterinarians, infectious disease specialists, and public health professionals to address a wide range of potential disease scenarios

2023 Awarded Grants

Year
Title
 PI(s) Amount
 2023A comparative analysis of colonization rates and antimicrobial resistance patterns of bacteria isolated from human clinical, agricultural, environmental, and animal husbandry settings in Botswana.
Laurel Redding,
Naledi Mannathoko
$50,000 
 2023Role for X-Chromosome Inactivation in female-biased enhancement of immune responses to influenzaMontserrat Anguera
$50,000
 2023Exploring the Threat of Tick-Borne Diseases on the Galápagos Islands: A Community-Based Initiative on San Cristóbal Island.Ricardo Castillo-Neyra,
Daniel Beiting
$27,397.50
 2023Estimated prevalence, taxonomic diversity, and zoonotic implications of gastrointestinal helminths isolated from free-ranging mustelids in the mid-Atlantic, USA.

Kevin Niedringhaus,
Caroline Sobotyk

 		$22,602.50

  • 2022 Awarded Grants
    Year
    		Title
    		 PI(s) Amount
     2022Development of an Organoid Model System to Study SARS-CoV-2 in White-Tailed DeerElizabeth Lennon, Susan Weiss
    		$50,000 
     2022Evaluation of Free Ranging Deer as a Reservoir for SARS-CoV-2Eman Anis, Erick Gagne
    		$15,000 (matching funds from ITMAT)
     2022Evaluation of UV-C Disinfection Technology for Veterinary SettingsStephen Cole
    		$35,000
     2022Metagenomic Control of mRNA Vaccine Efficiency

    Norbert Pardi, Thomas Schaer Christoph Thaiss

         		$50,000
     2022 Modeling COVID-19 ComorbiditiesAndrew Vaughan$25,000
    (matching funds from
    Coronaviruses Ctr.)

     


The 2023 Martin and Pamela Winter Infectious Disease Pre-Doctoral Fellows

Abigail Daniels, University of Pennsylvania
Project: Investigating the molecular mechanisms of gamete interaction in Cryptosporidium
Mentor: Boris Striepen, PhD, Mark Whittier and Lila Griswold Allam Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

Christien Patrick M. Exconde, University of Pennsylvania
Project: Uncovering and characterizing the mechanism of Toxoplasma gondii induced pyroptosis
Mentor: Cornelius Taabazuing, PhD; Assistant Professor, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

Kevin Mears, University of Pennsylvania
Project: Investigating the role of interferon lambda in protection against severe Clostridioides difficile infection
Mentor: Michael C. Abt, PhD; Assistant Professor, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

  • The 2022 Martin and Pamela Winter Infectious Disease Pre-Doctoral Fellows

    Matthew Martinez, University of Pennsylvania
    Project: Defining invasion strategies of malaria parasites
    Mentor: Yi-Wei Chang, PhD; Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania.

    Khabadire Tlotleng, Botswana University of Agriculture & Natural Resources
    Project: Identification of Canine parvovirus variants
    Mentor: Eman Anis, DVM, MVSc, PhD, ACVM; Assistant Professor of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania


Funding Opportunities

At present, there are no funding opportunities available.