David Douches
Associate Professor, Crop & Soil Science
douchesd@msu.edu

Dr. Douches' areas of specialization are potato genetics and developing potato varieties specific to Michigan needs. He also studies potato genetics and breeding for pest resistance.

Rebecca Grumet
Professor, Horticulture
grumet@msu.edu

Dr. Grumet studies plant-virus interactions in cucurbits (cucumbers and melons). She is trying to develop plants that are resistant to certain diseases as well as understand the genetic mechanisms that control flower and fruit production.

John Kruger
Associate Professor, Small Animal Clinical Sciences
krugerj@msu.edu

Dr. Kruger is a veterinarian at the MSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital where his specialty is small animal internal medicine. His research interests include feline viral diseases (feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus, FeLV), leptospirosis, bacterial urinary tract infections, and molecular diagnostics.

Robert Silva
Virologist, Avian Disease & Oncology Laboratory
silvar@msu.edu

Dr. Silva is part of a research program focused on understanding how Marek's disease virus and avian leucosis viruses cause disease in chickens. His lab is also developing recombinant DNA vaccines in order to better control these pathogens.

Patrick Venta
Associate Professor, Small Animal Clinical Sciences
venta@msu.edu

Dr. Venta is trained in human molecular genetics (Ph.D., Human Genetics, University of Michigan, 1983). He has experience in the isolation of mammalian genomic and cDNA recombinant DNA clones since 1980. He also has experience in bacterial and mammalian recombinant DNA expression systems for normal and mutant mammalian genes.

Ned Walker, IBC Chairperson
Associate Professor, Entomology
walker@msu.edu

Dr. Walker focuses on insects that affect animals and humans. He works with state and local agencies concerned with biting and non-biting pests. His areas of expertise include mosquitoes and Lyme disease. He has assisted in areas stricken by the Midwest floods of 1993.

Patty Weber
Immunogenetics Laboratory Coordinator, Animal Science
weberp@msu.edu

Dr. Weber is a member of a research team investigating the effects of stress on the health and well being of dairy cattle. Her current research interest focuses on understanding alterations of gene expression profiles during neutrophil development and maturation.

Jamie Sue Willard
Biological Safety Officer
Select Agent Responsible Official
cherryme@msu.edu

Dr. Willard, in conjunction with other ORCBS Bioteam members, specializes in biosafety and biosecurity for the MSU campus at large. In terms of recombinant DNA research, she and her team review all registrations to determine adequacy of containment and other biosafety/biosecurity related concerns including training, inspections and exposure response.

George Anderson
geoander@msu.edu

Dr. Anderson received a DVM from Ohio State University, and an MPH from the University of Michigan. He majored in Laboratory Practice and Epidemiology. After training for four months at the CDC Virology laboratories, he opened a new Virology Laboratory at the Ohio Department of Health. He is currently retired.

Jean Fierke
Lab Scientist, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Disease Lab
fierkej@michigan.gov

Job duties include participation in wildlife disease surveillance and control in Michigan 's wildlife. Recent activities involve sample processing and database management for bovine tuberculosis, avian influenza, West Nile virus and chronic wasting disease.

Beth Alexander
University Physician, Olin Health Center

Kevin Eisenbeis
Environmental Safety Director, Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies