About the Department

Message from the Department Head, Dr. Paulo Verardi

Welcome to the Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science (PVS)! We are a tight-knit group of researchers, students, staff, and alumni who seek to support the health of our local communities and beyond.

As a leader in infectious disease and diagnostic science at UConn, the Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science is uniquely positioned to provide transformation education, conduct cutting-edge research, and engage in dedicated outreach and service around the state.

The multi-disciplinary education and hands-on training we provide has helped graduates of our programs find fulfilling careers in some of the world’s fastest growing fields: medicine, global health, and biotechnology. But the PVS experience extends beyond graduation, since our alumni continue to give back to the department and our current students.

It’s an exciting time to explore the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Learn more about how the Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science can help launch your future.

Our Mission and Vision

The mission of the Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science is to train and nurture the next generation of leaders through inclusive undergraduate and graduate education; conduct groundbreaking research that helps solves the grand challenging facing our world today; and support our communities through engaged outreach and specialized services. Our expertise in the study of disease processes that affect humans and animals uniquely positions PVS to enhance surveillance and diagnosis of zoonotic disease and its potential impacts on public health. Our teaching, research, and extension programs focus primarily on pathology and infectious diseases of humans, agricultural animals, companion animals, laboratory animals, and wildlife. Through the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL), we translate our research into knowledge for the community, and provide highly specialized services that improve quality of life for a sustainable future.

The Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research (CEVR) is a major research center that stems from this department. Basic and applied vaccine research is conducted by many of the labs under CEVR in this department and others. The Department participates with the Connecticut Department of Agriculture in housing and operating the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL). This laboratory is involved in monitoring the health status of the State's animal population.  Pathobiology also houses the Northeast Research Center for Wildlife Diseases which conducts 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.

The societal issues that the Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science is addressing are:

1. Human infectious diseases and vaccine development.
2. Public Health, Food Safety and Zoonotic Disease. This includes animal diseases transmissible to humans such as Rabies, Lyme disease, and Salmonella.
3. Animal Diseases. This includes diseases of farm animals, pets, poultry, and wildlife. 

The Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science is active in all three areas. We are committed to the three mission areas of UConn: teaching, research, and public service. Our public service is offered through diagnostic laboratory and extension services.