NEWS

Justin Brown

Graduate Student Excellence-in-Research Award 2008

Justin Brown, a recent doctoral graduate in pathology, studies the ecology of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) Eurasian viruses—most notably H5N1—in wild bird populations. His research has provided the only comprehensive work related to HPAI H5n1 in North American ducks and gulls. This knowledge is critical to designing surveillance strategies and understanding the potential for these viruses to be maintained in wild bird populations. Brown has also studied the environmental persistence of these viruses, as well as that of wild-type H5 and H7 North American strains. His work may prove critical to assessing the potential of these viruses to move between wildlife and from wildlife to domestic animal populations.