Spotlight Science: Chronic Wasting Disease

Come learn more about chronic wasting disease, the research being done to help combat its spread, and what you can do to help. Our hosts, Peter Larsen and researchers at the UMN College of Veterinary Medicine, are working to develop a rapid field testing device that will quickly detect chronic wasting disease in deer populations.

All activities are free with gallery admission.

Speakers:

11:45 am—What is CWD?
Roxanne Larsen from the UMN College of Veterinary Medicine

Larsen has a doctorate in biology and 14 years of teaching experience in anatomy and physiology, and her research has focused on the origin of neurodegenerative diseases. Larsen joined the UMN College of Veterinary Medicine in 2018, and was previously a postdoctoral associate and assistant professor at Duke University’s School of Medicine. Roxanne is originally from South Dakota, where her family owned a hunting and fishing lodge and she was a regional guide for several types of game, including deer. She has the unique experience of harvesting and processing deer, teaching courses focused on the nervous system, and conducting research.

12:45 pm—CWD: Minnesota Response

Lou Cornicelli, wildlife research manager at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Lou Cornicelli is the wildlife research manager for the Minnesota DNR with a background in both the biological and social sciences. He supervises Minnesota’s CWD program and has worked on various aspects of CWD surveillance/policy/management for 20 years. Lou completed his doctorate at the University of Minnesota and is an adjunct associate professor in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology.

1:45 pm—Next Generation CWD Diagnostics
Devender Kumar from the UMN College of Veterinary Medicine

Kumar is a research veterinarian with interests in infectious disease diagnosis, control, and treatment. He received BVSc & AH degrees from Haryana Agricultural University in Hisar, India, and his doctorate in veterinary immunology from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute. He is currently working to develop new methods to diagnose chronic wasting disease in deer, elk, and moose.

Guests:

UMN Center for Animal Health and Food Safety

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Minnesota Elk Breeders Association

Minnesota Board of Animal Health

Read more about Peter Larsen’s research around CWD at our blog.

This event is co-organized by the Bell Museum and the Center for Animal Health and Food Safety in the University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.