About APHI

Mission
From the Director
Institute Programs
Collaborators
APHI Laboratory

Welcome

Welcome to the Animal Population Health Institute (APHI) within the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University.  APHI was formed in February 2002 and replaced two existing Colorado State University Centers -- Center of Veterinary Epidemiology and Animal Disease Surveillance Systems (CVEADSS) and the Center of Economically Important Infectious Animal Diseases (CEIIAD). The replacement of the two centers by the APHI served not only to consolidate both centers’ activities but also to provide a framework for the integration of additional research, service, and outreach programs.

CVEADSS, established in 1992, provided an initial structure for sharing information, expertise, and facilities among Colorado State University, collaborating institutions, and government agencies throughout the United Stated and worldwide.  CVEADSS has been a recognized reference center for the United Nations - Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in the field of veterinary epidemiology and animal disease surveillance systems since its inception.  This role continues with the APHI.  Furthermore, the broad mission of CVEADSS, which was to coordinate collaborative, multidisciplinary basic and applied research and to establish training activities in veterinary epidemiology, is integrated into the APHI's research focus and programmatic activities. 

In 1998, the allocation of federal funds for the purpose of coordinating research activities on economically important infectious animal diseases resulted in the establishment of CEIIAD.  Before CEIIAD, no organization provided an arena for timely, multidisciplinary research that synthesized information and data to pilot an animal disease concern from its roots in basic science through the development of policy.  Since its inception and initial funding, this unique center was continually on the forefront in addressing the most challenging questions in veterinary epidemiology, food safety, risk assessment, trade economics, and diagnostic strategies for infectious animal diseases.  These activities continued when the roles of the CVEADSS and CEIIAD were consolidated by establishing the APHI.  At this time, CEIIAD was included as one of the core programs in the APHI and renamed the Program of Economically Important Infectious Animal Diseases (PEIIAD).

Since its beginning in 2002, the APHI has integrated several additional, existing research programs, instituted a new program in training and outreach, and redefined the mission of its supporting laboratory. Colorado State University’s Integrated Livestock Management Program under the direction of Dr. Frank Garry, has partnered with APHI in several research and training projects including those concerned with cattle sulfate intake, dairy cow mastitis, and wildlife disease problems.  A program specifically devoted to the study of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) was initiated under auspices of CVEADSS in 2001 and has continued under APHI. This program includes investigations of bovine spongiform encephalopathy of cattle, scrapie of sheep, and chronic wasting disease of wild and captive ungulates. In addition, research efforts concerning pet overpopulation, antibiotic resistance and biosecurity have been integrated into the APHI.

At the present time, the APHI has grown to include 6 programs, 16 faculty members, more than 20 staff members and numerous local, national, and international collaborators.