About the Pathobiology Department

Historical Perspective

Mission and Vision

The Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science is the center for veterinary science on the Storrs Campus. It consists of several units, including pathology, microbiology, virology, immunology, bacteriology, wildlife diseases, microchemistry and extension. The Department is responsible for teaching, research, and extension programs concerned with infectious, metabolic and toxic diseases of agricultural animals, companion animals, laboratory animals, pet birds, poultry and wildlife.

The general mission of the Department involves the study of disease processes that affect animals and man. This includes infectious, toxic, metabolic and neoplastic diseases of farm animals, pets, poultry and wildlife and diseases that affect public health and food safety. The department has active undergraduate and graduate teaching programs. It is involved with research in many areas of pathophysiology, much of which is externally funded and provides service to the University and citizens of the State through the Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory.

Centers

The Department participates with the Connecticut Department of Agriculture in housing and operating the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. This laboratory is involved in monitoring the health status of the State's animal population. Until early 2007, The Department also housed the Northeast Research Center for Wildlife Diseases which conducted diagnostic services and research on wildlife in the northeast region. The Department is actively involved in all portions of the Land Grant mission. The Department is an affiliate member of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges.

Participation

The societal issues that the Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science is addressing are: A. Animal Diseases (This includes infectious and toxicologic diseases of farm animals, pets, poultry, and wildlife.) B. Public Health, Food Safety and Zoonotic Disease (this includes animal diseases transmissible to humans, such as Rabies, Lyme disease, Salmonella and toxic agents.) The Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science is active in all three areas of commitment of The University of Connecticut: teaching, research, and public service (diagnostic laboratory and extension services).