Nutrition and Food Sciences Assistant Professor Andrea Etter is the lead principal investigator (PI) on a $1 million USDA NIFA-IDEAS (Interdisciplinary Engagement in Animal Sciences) grant, to study the role of poultry in zoonotic pathogen prevalence and transmission on animal agritourism operations.
This three-year project will use a combination of environmental sampling and operator surveys of agritourism operations in three states, to develop a computer model for key contributing factors to zoonotic pathogen spread so we can identify solutions for this vital industry.
The research team includes co-PI Elizabeth Doran, who will lead the computer modelling at UVM, Lisa Chase, who will help identify and coordinate with Vermont agritourism operators, co-PI Joy Waite-Cusic at Oregon State University who will conduct sampling in Oregon, and co-PI Benjamin Chapman at North Carolina State University who will oversee the North Carolina side of the project.
Etter is seeking a postdoc with experience in microbiology to work on this project with her. Email her to express interest.