Professional Employment Experience

• 2021-Present: Director. Connecticut Veterinary Diagnostic Medical Laboratory, Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
• 2019-Present: Professor. Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
• 2020-2021: Associate Director. Connecticut Veterinary Diagnostic Medical Laboratory, Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, USA.
• 2017-Present: Section Head. Diagnostic Testing Service, Connecticut Veterinary Diagnostic Medical Laboratory, Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, USA.
• 2019-2020: Director (interim). Connecticut Veterinary Diagnostic Medial Laboratory, Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, USA.
• 2010-2019: Associate Professor. Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, USA.
• 2004-2010: Assistant Professor. Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, USA.
• 2000-2004: Post-Doctoral Fellow. Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Greenport, NY, USA.

Honors:

• 2019: Inducted as Member of The University of Connecticut Chapter of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI-UCONN).

Honors

• UConn chapter of the National Academy of Inventors

Courses Taught

• PATH 3501. Diagnostic Techniques for the Biomedical Sciences (2 credits).
• PATH 5503. Molecular Approaches to Disease Diagnosis and Prevention (2 credits).
• Faculty Coordinator for PATH 5094.  Pathobiology Seminar.

Research Interests

• Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSF)
• African Swine Fever Virus (ASF)
• Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus (PPR)
• USDA-SCA, 58-8064-9-008, $399,963, Risatti (PI), 08/01/2020-12/31/2022
  • “Genetic Characterization of African Swine Fever Virus causing disease outbreaks in Asia.” Goal of Project: The goal of this project is to genetically characterize African swine fever viruses circulating in domestic pig herds in Cambodia and viruses affecting wild pig populations in Mongolia.
• USDA-SCA, 58-8064-1-005, $350,000, Risatti (PI), 09/01/2021-08/31/2023
  • “Functional genomics of African swine fever virus infections – an effective system to identify pro-tolerance and resilience pathways in pigs.” Goal of the project: to generate accurate and fully annotated whole genome sequences of warthogs, red river hogs and bushpigs.
• Funding Opportunity Title: Joint Priority for National Animal Health Laboratory Network and National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Programs 2021. Proposal Title: The use of field-deployable diagnostic tests for detecting African Swine Fever Virus infections in pigs. Awarded amount: $590,129. Risatti (PI). Period of performance: 03/01/2022 to 02/28/2024.
• Funding Opportunity Title: NAHLN Farm Bill Funding FY 2021. Proposal Title: Improving CVMDL emergency preparedness and response: developing next-generation sequencing capabilities. Awarded amount: $69,772. Risatti (PI). Period of Performance: 03/01/2022 to 02/28/2023.