Robert P. Ellis
Professor and University Biosafety Director

MIP Contact Information: Phones: 491-5740 (Micro) and 491-8268 (IDA) Fax: 491-1815 (Micro) and 491-8421(IDA) Office: A102 Microbiology Building and 107 IDA

Biosafety Contact Information: Phones: 491-8268 (IDA) and 491-6729 (EHS) Fax: 491-8421 (IDA) and 491-4804 (EHS) Biosafety Office: 141E General Services Building

Email: Robert.Ellis@Colostate.Edu

 

Degrees

• B.S., University of Wyoming
• M.S., Purdue University
• Ph.D.,Purdue University

Board Certifications

• Certified Biological Safety Professional
  American Biological Safety Association, 2001
• Specialist Microbiologist in Biological Safety Microbiology
  American College of Microbiology, 2001
• American College of Veterinary Microbiology (Honorary)2002

Teaching

• MIP 540, Biosafety in Research Laboratories, 2 credits, Spring Semester
  • The principles and practice of Biosafety are taught. The class uses practical examples of using the BMBL and rDNA Guidelines to ensure that research is conducted safely. Class groups prepare and present a project showing a laboratory design within which BSL-2 and BSL-3 research can be conducted.
• Lectures in many other classes throughout the Fall and Spring semesters.

Research Interests

• My previous research involved the diagnosis, immunoprophylaxis, and molecular pathogenesis of diseases caused by Clostridium perfringens. My role in that research has been discontinued.
• Current and future research will focus on applications of the principles and practices of Biosafety. The biosafety research will complement the Biosafety Concentration for the MS in Microbiology.

Biosafety and Service

• Colorado State University Biosafety director. My responsibilities include oversight and training to ensure that all research involving infectious microorganisms and recombinant DNA is conducted according to University and National standards and guidelines.
• President-Elect of the American Biological Safety Association 2007-2008, and President October 2008-2009
• Founder and director of the Biosafety and Biosecurity Training Course http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/mip/crwad/BBTC.htm The BBTC is held annually in Fort Collins, during July. Course enrollment is 50-60, with attendees representing many disciplines within the Biosafety profession, coming from North America and many other countries. The BBTC is the only training course in the United States which includes 2 ½ days of large, small and primate ABSL-2 (Animal Biosafety Level-2) and ABSL-3 containment design and procedures, and 2 days of plant biosafety and containment. The BBTC currently has continuing education credit approval for veterinarians and veterinary technicians through the American Association of Veterinary State Boards Registry of Approved Continuing Education program (AABSB RACE), and for everyone attending through the International Association for Continuing Education and Training program (IACET). We also have approval from the American Biological Safety Association for attendees to use their attendance for certification maintenance credits.
• Executive Director of the Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases. More about this international animal research organization may be found at Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases
• Editorial Boards:
  • Animal Health Research Reviews; Founding Editor-in-Chief, 1999-2001; Editorial Board, 1999-present
  • Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases, Editor, CRWAD Proceedings
  • Applied Biosafety, Editorial Board, 2004
• Member, Scientific Advisory Board of the National Biosafety and Biocontainment Training Program, NIH

Selected Publications

• Ellis, R. P., Larsen, R. E., and Tews, G. E. Design, Construction, Commissioning, and Operation of a Biosafety Level 3 Building. Proceedings, American Biological Safety Assoc., 43rd (2000) Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.
• Tillotson K, Traub-Dargatz J, Dickinson C, Ellis R, Morley P, Hyatt D, Magnuson R, Riddle T, Bolte D and Salman M. Population based study of fecal shedding of Clostridium perfringens in broodmares and foals. JAVMA 220:342-348 (2001).
• Anita C. Dennison, David C. Van Metre, Robert J. Callan, Page Dinsmore, Gary L. Mason, and R. P. Ellis, Hemorrhagic bowel syndrome in dairy cattle: 22 cases (1997-2000). JAVMA 221:686-689 (2002).
• Anita C. Dennison, David C. Van Metre, Paul S. Morley, Robert J. Callan, Emily C. Plampin, and R. P. Ellis, Comparisons of the odds of isolation, genotypes, and in vivo production of major toxins by Clostridium perfringens obtained from the gastrointestinal tract of dairy cows with hemorrhagic bowel syndrome or left-displaced abomasum.  JAVMA 227:132-138 (2005).
• Book Chapter: Biosafety issues and solutions for working with infected mosquitoes. in Anthology of Biosafety, VI: Arthropod-borne Diseases. Jonathan Y. Richmond, Ed., ABSA, 2003, pp. 25-38. Ken E. Olson, PhD Director, Arthropod-borne and Infectious Diseases Laboratory Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology Colorado State University Ft. Collins, CO 80523-1682 Randall E. Larsen, AIA The FWA Group Two Bank of America Plaza 101 South Tryon Street Charlotte, NC 28280 Robert P. Ellis, PhD University Biosafety Officer, CBSP (ABSA), SM (ASM) Professor, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Colorado State University Ft. Collins, CO 80523-1682.