Four faculty members at Louisiana State University's School of Veterinary Medicine are investigating respiratory diseases that affect animals and humans. The combined research is supported by more than $3.8 million in extramural grants.

Shafiqul Chowdhury, DVM, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Pathobiological Sciences, is researching molecular virology and recombinant vaccine technology of bovine herpesvirus.

Dr. Chowdhury’s long-term goal is to understand the following two specific areas of BHV-1 research:

• How BHV-1 and BHV-5 spread within the nervous system.
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• The role of envelope glycoproteins in the regulation of pathogenicity and immunogenicity of BHV-1.

Both projects are funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The researchers investigating respiratory diseases in humans are:

• Samithamby Jeyaseelan, DVM, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Pathobiological Sciences.
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• Maria Antonieta Guerrero-Plata, BSc, MSc, Ph.D., also an assistant professor in the department.
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• Arthur Penn, Ph.D., a professor of toxicology in the Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences and director of the Inhalation Research Facility.

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