View from our Chair - John B. Dame, PhD
The Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathology was formed in the UF College of Veterinary Medicine in 1995 by the merger of the Department of Infectious Diseases and the Department of Comparative and Experimental Pathology. Our current department thus has a critical mass of faculty with interests and a record of productivity in these disciplines to build strong research teams and teaching programs focused on the basic biology of disease. As a partner with the newly established Emerging Pathogens Institute at the University of Florida, our department is entering into an exciting new era of expanding research activity in this area with enhanced interactive collaborations across campus. Research on foreign animal diseases and emerging pathogens conducted in our department is focused on developing practical products for preventing, controlling and diagnosing these diseases. Our faculty teach in the DVM curriculum, mentor PhD students, train residents in anatomic pathology, and guide postdoctoral research associates. They also participate in the newly developed DVM/MPH joint degree program in conjunction with the UF College of Public Health. Our ACVP-boarded pathologists provide outstanding surgical and anatomic pathology services to clients of the UF Veterinary Medical Center, to basic researchers, and to thousands of others from around the state and nation with subspecialties offered in dermatopathology, marine mammal and exotics/zoo animal pathology. Other faculty offer laboratory services in clinical microbiology, parasitology, and serology.
These are exciting times at the University of Florida for those interested in studies of the basic biology of disease. With goals to expand the impact of our various programs, I encourage you to learn more about our departmental programs, as summarized on this website, and if we share common interests, inquire as to how you might join with us as we grow.