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UF Health University of Florida
College of Veterinary Medicine UNIVERSITY of FLORIDA
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Robert J Ossiboff

Robert J Ossiboff, DVM, PhD, DACVP

Clinical Associate Professor – Aquatic Pathology/Anatomic Pathology

Department: Department of Comparative, Diagnostic & Population Medicine
Business Email: rossiboff@ufl.edu
CV: View Curriculum Vitae

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About Robert J Ossiboff

I am a board certified veterinary anatomic pathologist, virologist, and molecular diagnostician with a primary professional focus on increasing the breadth and depth of knowledge of diseases of wildlife with special emphasis on reptiles and amphibians. Through a combined understanding of the fundamentals of disease pathogenesis, pathogen biology, disease pathology, and molecular/cellular biology, I approach animal disease investigations from multiple angles in an attempt to completely characterize disease conditions. My ultimate goal is to broadly impact the health of both captive and free-ranging wildlife through pathogen research and discovery, the creation and distribution of novel reagents, and the dissemination of knowledge.

Related Links:
ORCiD
ResearchGate

Accomplishments

  1. Florida Veterinary Medical Association Clinical Investigator Award

    University of Florida

  2. Anatomic Pathology Resident Coordinator

    University of Florida

  3. Co-Director, Zoological Medicine and Wildlife Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory

    University of Florida

  4. Student Scholarship Award

    C.L. Davis Foundation

  5. Phi Zeta Mansucript Competition Basic Science Category

    Cornell University

  6. Jacob Traum Microbiology and Immunology Award

    Cornell University

  7. Anna Olafson Sussex Pathology Award

    Cornell University

  8. Integrative Biology Prize, Veterinary Leadership Program

    Cornell University

Teaching Profile

Courses Taught

Board Certifications

  • Veterinary Anatomic Pathologist
    American College of Veterinary Pathologists

Clinical Profile

My clinical interests focus primarily on the diagnosis and characterization of diseases of captive and free-ranging reptiles and amphibians utilizing anatomic pathology, molecular diagnostics, and classical microbiology methods. I have a special interest in documenting infectious diseases affecting the health of wild populations of reptiles and amphibians and how those diseases can affect species conservation. The development of highly sensitive but low specificity molecular diagnostic assays for pathogen characterization in a broad range of species is another main clinical focus.

Research Profile

Much of my basic science research is driven by diagnostic submissions and increasing the availability of basic science reagents for use in wildlife species. Current research projects include i) establishing in vitro tissue culture cell lines from non-domestic species for basic science research and discovery, ii) characterizing serpentoviruses (nidoviruses) – an important and emerging group of reptilian viruses, iii) studying the pathogenesis of Batrachochytrium spp. infections in amphibians, and iv) the characterization and classification of novel infectious diseases of reptiles and amphibians.

Areas of Interest

  • Amphibian Chytridiomycosis
  • Amphibian disease
  • Mycoplasma species of Reptiles
  • Reptile Disease
  • Reptile Enterococcosis
  • Reptile Serpentoviruses
  • Reptile and Amphibian Cell Line Development
  • Viruses of Reptiles and Amphibians
  • Wildlife Molecular Parasitology

Publications

Academic Articles

Grants

  1. Molecular characterization of Blastocystis species of reptiles and preliminary evaluation of their pathogenic potential in tortoises

    Role:
    Principal Investigator
    Funding:
    MORRIS ANIMAL FOU

  2. Characterization of Expression and Prognostic Implications of GD2S and GD3S in Canine Histiocytic Sarcoma

    Role:
    Co-Investigator
    Funding:
    VETERINARY CANCER SOCIETY

  3. Assessing In vitro susceptibility of reptilian cell lines to serpentovirus

    Role:
    Other
    Funding:
    MORRIS ANIMAL FOU

  4. Development of an in vitro assay to determine infectious titers of ophidian nidoviruses

    Role:
    Principal Investigator
    Funding:
    MORRIS ANIMAL FOU

  5. D18ZO-319: Establishing tissue culture cell lines from reptiles, amphibians, and other captive and free-ranging wildlife

    Role:
    Principal Investigator
    Funding:
    MORRIS ANIMAL FOU

Education

  1. Wildlife Pathology Postdoctoral Research Associate

    Cornell University

  2. Molecular Pathology Fellow

    Wildlife Conservation Society

  3. Anatomic Pathology Resident

    Wildlife Conservation Society

  4. Anatomic Pathology Resident

    Cornell University

  5. DVM

    Cornell University

  6. PhD

    Cornell University

  7. BS

    Loyola University Chicago

Contact Details

Emails:
Business:
rossiboff@ufl.edu
Addresses:
Business Mailing:
PO Box 100123
2015 SW 16TH AVE
 GAINESVILLE FL 32610