Bio

Associate Professor, Virology and Clinical Immunology

Dr. Mohamed Abouelkhair, an associate professor at Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine in Rowan University, New Jersey, holds board certification in veterinary virology and immunology. His research focuses on exploring host immunity to microbial pathogens using cutting-edge omics technologies, including genomics, proteomics, and recently, metabolomics, and advanced CRISPR genome editing. Beyond this, Dr. Abouelkhair has dedicated a second branch of his research program to studying the tumor microenvironment. He aims to identify potential cancer immunotherapies by investigating the intricate interactions between tumor cells and their surrounding microenvironment. By elucidating these mechanisms, he seeks to uncover novel therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.

Education and Certifications

• DVM: University of Sadat City, Egypt
• MS: University of Sadat City, Egypt
• PhD: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Board Certified Veterinary Immunologist
• Board Certified Veterinary Virologist

Publications

• Whole Genome Sequencing and Comparative Genomics of Six Staphylococcus schleiferi and Staphylococcus coagulans Isolates. Abouelkhair MA, Kania SA. Genes (Basel). 2024 Feb 24;15(3):284. doi: 10.3390/genes15030284. PMID: 38540343 Free PMC article.
• Molecular characterization of a reptarenavirus detected in a Colombian Red-Tailed Boa (Boa constrictor imperator). Abouelkhair MA, Roozitalab A, Elsakhawy OK. Virol J. 2023 Nov 15;20(1):265. doi: 10.1186/s12985-023-02237-2. PMID: 37968659 Free PMC article.
• Complete coding sequence of two feline panleukopenia virus strains isolated from domestic cats (Felis catus) in Tennessee, USA. Roozitalab A, Elsakhawy OK, Abouelkhair MA. Microbiol Resour Announc. 2023 Oct 19;12(10):e0043123. doi: 10.1128/MRA.00431-23. Epub 2023 Sep 28. PMID: 37768073 Free PMC article.
• The molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius canine clinical isolates submitted to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory in South Africa. Phophi L, Abouelkhair M, Jones R, Henton M, Qekwana DN, Kania SA. PLoS One. 2023 Aug 30;18(8):e0290645. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290645. eCollection 2023. PMID: 37647319 Free PMC article.
• Temporal changes in antibiotic resistance and population structure of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius between 2010 and 2021 in the United States. Phophi L, Abouelkhair MA, Jones R, Zehr J, Kania SA. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 2023 Sep;100:102028. doi: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.102028. Epub 2023 Jul 24. PMID: 37517211
• Tetracycline, Sulfonamide, and Erythromycin Residues in Beef, Eggs, and Honey Sold as "Antibiotic-Free" Products in East Tennessee (USA) Farmers' Markets. Sarkar S, Souza MJ, Martin-Jimenez T, Abouelkhair MA, Kania SA, Okafor CC. Vet Sci. 2023 Mar 24;10(4):243. doi: 10.3390/vetsci10040243. PMID: 37104399 Free PMC article.
• Complete Genome Sequences of 11 Staphylococcus pseudintermedius Isolates from Dogs in the United States. Roozitalab A, Elsakhawy O, Phophi L, Kania SA, Abouelkhair MA. Microbiol Resour Announc. 2023 Apr 18;12(4):e0000223. doi: 10.1128/mra.00002-23. Epub 2023 Mar
• PMID: 36877101 Free PMC article. 8. In vitro and in vivo assessment of caprine origin Staphylococcus aureus ST398 strain UTCVM1 as an osteomyelitis pathogen. Billings C, Rifkin R, Abouelkhair M, Jones RD, Bow A, Kolape J, Rajeev S, Kania S, Anderson DE. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2022 Nov 24;12:1015655. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1015655. eCollection 2022. PMID: 36726643 Free PMC article.
• Non-SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences identified in clinical samples from COVID-19 infected patients: Evidence for co-infections. Abouelkhair MA. PeerJ. 2020 Nov 2;8:e10246. doi: 10.7717/peerj.10246. eCollection 2020. PMID: 33194423 Free PMC article.
• Staphylococcus pseudintermedius 5'-nucleotidase suppresses canine phagocytic activity. Abouelkhair MA, Frank LA, Bemis DA, Giannone RJ, Kania SA. Vet Microbiol. 2020 Jul;246:108720. doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2020.108720. Epub 2020 May 16. PMID: 32605759

Bio

Associate Professor, Anatomic Pathology

Dr. Eckstrand is diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, and has an appointment as an Associate Professor in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology. As an anatomic pathologist, Dr. Eckstrand performs diagnostic and research investigations for a wide variety of domestic and wildlife species with a special interest in virologic infectious diseases. Dr. Eckstrand teaches General and Systemic Pathology to professional students in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine curriculum.

Education and Certifications

• BS, University of Delaware, 2003
• DVM, Atlantic Veterinary College, 2009
• Residency, Anatomic Pathology, University of California Davis, 2012
• PhD, University of California Davis, 2016

Publications

• PUBMED - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1Nui7zdZsqpkd/bibliography/public/
• Eckstrand CD, et al. (2024) Detection, sequencing, and tissue distribution of piscine orthoreovirus 2-like virus in diseased coho salmon in Alaska. J Vet Diagn Invest. 36(3):338-345.
• Haman KH, Eckstrand CD, et al. (2024) A comprehensive epidemiological approach documenting an outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus clade 2.3.4.4b among gulls, terns, and harbor seals in the Northeaster Pacific. Front Vet Sci. 11.
• Haake CJE, Eckstrand CD, et al. (2024) Geographic distribution and neuropathology of Elaeophora schneideri in Shiras Moose (Alces alces shirasi) in Idaho, USA. J Wildl Dis. 60(3):727-733.
• Eckstrand CD, et al. (2024) Investigation of laboratory methods for characterization of aquatic viruses using fish experimentally infected with infectious salmon anemia virus. J Vet Diagn Invest. 36(3):319-328.
• Eckstrand CD et al. (2024). Genomic characterization of antimicrobial resistance in 61 aquatic bacterial isolates. J Vet Diagn Invest. 36(3):393-399.
• Murphy BG, Eckstrand C, et al. (2023) The late asymptomatic and terminal immunodeficiency phases in experimentally FIV-infected cats – A long-term study. Viruses. 15(8):1775.
• Witherell K, Eckstrand C, et al. (2023) Utility of postmortem bacterial culture of abdominal organs at autopsy of young calves. J Vet Diagn Invest. 35(2):182-186.
• Eckstrand C, et al. (2021) An outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 with high mortality in mink (Neovison vison) on multiple Utah farms. PLosPathog. 17(11).
• Mitra I, Eckstrand C, et al. (2021) 3D printing in alloy design to improve biocompatibility in metallic implants. Matter Today. 45:2-34.
• Oliveira RD, Eckstrand CD, et al. (2020): Algal lymphadenitis in a dog caused by Scenedesmus species. Vet Pathol. 57(6):821.

Bio

Assistant Professor, Epidemiology, Public Health and Food Safety

Dr. Ekakoro is an assistant professor of epidemiology, public health and food safety. He teaches in the population medicine block which includes epidemiology, public health and food safety. As an epidemiologist, his research interests are broadly in the One Health epidemiology of infectious diseases including antimicrobial resistance, antimicrobial stewardship in human and veterinary medicine, food safety epidemiology, zoonoses, emerging infectious diseases, neglected tropical diseases, and study designs in clinical trials (including evaluation of vaccine study designs).

Education and Certifications

• BVM, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, 2009
• MVMF, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, 2014
• PGDip, Uganda Management Institute, 2015
• PhD, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2018
• Post-Doc, Purdue University, 2019–2020
• Post-Doc, Cornell University, 2020–2023
• Research Associate, Kansas State University, 2023–2024

Publications

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=John+Ekakoro&sort=date&size=20
• https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=pBm8vBQAAAAJ&hl=en

Bio

Clinical Assistant Professor, Anatomic Pathology

Dr. Finley is a clinical assistant professor and a board-certified veterinary anatomic pathologist in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology. She earned her DVM from the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, followed by an internship in diagnostic medicine at Kansas State University. She then became an inaugural resident at Midwestern University, where she completed her anatomic pathology residency. Dr. Finley is passionate about teaching and diagnostics, and she will be instructing courses in Histology, General Pathology, and Pathobiology. Her research interests include infectious diseases, vector-borne diseases, and parasitology, with a focus on collaborative work with other researchers. Outside of her professional life, Dr. Finley enjoys roller derby, hiking, and arts and crafts.

Education and Certifications

• BS, Ithaca College, 2013
• DVM, Ontario Veterinary College, 2017
• Internship, Diagnostic Medicine, Kansas State University, 2018
• Residency, Anatomic Pathology, Midwestern University, 2021

Publications

• Sender D, Hulsey B, Cañete-Gibas C, Wiederhold N, Lee JK, Finley A, Cruz C, White ME. Disseminated Aspergillus citrinoterreus and concurrent localized dermal phaeohyphomycosis in an immunosuppressed dog. Clin Case Rep. 2024 Feb 22;12(2):e7573.
• Schmidt PH, White BJ, Finley A, Bortoluzzi EM, Depenbusch BE, Mancke M, Brown RE, Jensen M, Lancaster PA, Larson RL. Determining Frequency of Common Pulmonary Gross and Histopathological Findings in Feedyard Fatalities. Vet Sci. 2023 Mar 16;10(3):228.
• Scott MA, Woolums AR, Swiderski CE, Finley A, Perkins AD, Nanduri B, Karisch BB. Hematological and gene co-expression network analyses of high-risk beef cattle defines immunological mechanisms and biological complexes involved in bovine respiratory disease and weight gain. PLoS One. 2022 Nov 3;17(11): e0277033.
• Struthers JD, Kucerova Z, Finley A, Goe A, Huffman J, Phair K. Septicaemic Listeriosis in a White-Faced Saki (Pithecia pithecia). J Comp Pathol. 2022 Jun;194:7-13.
• White ME, Jaffey JA, Finley A, Chamberlin T. What is your diagnosis: Impression smears of a nasopharyngeal nodule in a cat. Vet Clin Pathol. 2021 Mar;50(1):89-91.
• Jorge KM, Huguet EE, Finley A, Dulaney DR, Cocchiaro M, Montiel-Del Valle A, Berry CR. Radiographic characteristics of alveolar microlithiasis and pulmonary ossification following chronic corticosteroid therapy in a dog. Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2021 May;62(3):E30-E34.
• Finley A, Gohari IM, Parreira VR, Abrahams M, Staempfli HR, Prescott JF. Prevalence of netF-positive Clostridium perfringens in foals in southwestern Ontario. Can J Vet Res. 2016 Jul;80(3):242-4.

Bio

Professor

Dr. Omar Tliba is the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies for the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine of Rowan University. Dr. Tliba holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the El-Tarf College of Veterinary Medicine at University of Badji-Mokhtar Annaba, Algeria, a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Rennes, France, another master's in the area of molecular and cellular interaction between the host and parasite from the University of Paris XII, France, a University Diploma in immuno-physiology of infection from “Pasteur Institute” in Paris, France, and a doctoral degree from the National Institute of Agriculture Research, Tours, France in the area of animal life science and immunology, specifically characterizing the early immune responses and the mechanisms of immuno-evasion by an important parasite in cattle, Fasciola hepatica.

Dr. Tliba’s academic interests include independent and collaborative research in lung and inflammatory diseases, teaching and mentoring students. He has over 28 years of research experience in the area of allergic diseases. In the last 22 years, he has been conducting airway inflammation-related research and specifically investigated certain pharmacological aspects of pulmonary diseases. He has been awarded several prestigious multiple years grants from foundations such as the Parker B. Francis Fellowship and American Lung Association, as well as the National Institute of Health (NIH) including K99/R00 (5 years), R21 (2 years), and R01 (11 years) and has served as a reviewer for multiple NIH foundations (both national and international) grant review panels.​

Education and Certifications

• DVM, El-Tarf College of Veterinary Medicine, Annaba, Algeria, 1996
• Ms, Biomedical Sciences, University of Rennes I, France, 1997
• Ms, Immunology, Institut pasteur, Paris, France, 1998
• Ph.D., Immunology, University of Francois Rabellais, Tours, France, 2001

Publications

• Glucocorticoid Insensitivity in Asthma: The Unique Role for Airway Smooth Muscle Cells. Ramos-Ramírez P, Tliba O. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Aug 11;23(16):8966.
• New Insights on the Role of Pentraxin-3 in Allergic Asthma. Koussih L, Atoui S, Tliba O, Gounni AS. Front Allergy. 2021 Jun 11;2:678023.
• Adiponectin/AdipoR1 Axis Promotes IL-10 Release by Human Regulatory T Cells. Ramos-Ramírez P, Malmhäll C, Tliba O, Rådinger M, Bossios A. Front Immunol. 2021 May 18;12:677550.
• Glucocorticoid Receptor β (GRβ): Beyond Its Dominant-Negative Function. Ramos-Ramírez P, Tliba O. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Mar 31;22(7):3649.
• Important Lessons Learned from Studies on the Pharmacology of Glucocorticoids in Human Airway Smooth Muscle Cells: Too Much of a Good Thing May Be a Problem. Amrani Y, Panettieri RA, Ramos-Ramirez P, Schaafsma D, Kaczmarek K, Tliba O. Pharmacol Ther. 2020 Sep;213:107589.
• Glucocorticoids Rapidly Activate cAMP Production via Gαs to Initiate Non-Genomic Signaling That Contributes to One-Third of Their Canonical Genomic Effects. Nuñez FJ, Johnstone TB, Corpuz ML, Kazarian AG, Mohajer NN, Tliba O, Panettieri RA Jr, Koziol-White C, Roosan MR, Ostrom RS. FASEB J. 2020 Feb;34(2):2882-2895.
• Glucocorticoids Regulate Pentraxin-3 Expression in Human Airway Smooth Muscle Cells. Zhang J, Koussih L, Shan L, Halayko AJ, Tliba O, Gounni AS. PLoS One. 2019 Aug 22;14(8).
• Airway Smooth Muscle Cells Are Insensitive to the Anti-Proliferative Effects of Corticosteroids: The Novel Role of Insulin Growth Factor Binding Protein-1 in Asthma. Bui H, Amrani Y, Deeney B, Panettieri RA, Tliba O. Immunobiology. 2019 Jul;224(4):490-496.
• Non-Genomic Effects of Glucocorticoids: An Updated View. Panettieri RA, Schaafsma D, Amrani Y, Koziol-White C, Ostrom R, Tliba O. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2019 Jan;40(1):38-49.
• Paucigranulocytic Asthma: Uncoupling of Airway Obstruction from Inflammation. Tliba O, Panettieri RA Jr. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2019 Apr;143(4):1287-1294.