Faculty

 

 

 

 

Juergen A Richt, DVM, PhD
Regents Distinguished Professor,
Veterinary Microbiology

Phone: (785)532-4408
Fax: (785) 532- 4039
Email: jricht@vet.k-state.edu

 

 

 

 

Service and Research

Expert in Zoonotic Diseases. Zoonotic diseases are diseases which can be transmitted from animals to humans and vice versa.

Richt, a Veterinary Microbiologist, has worked with multiple agents of zoonotic potential. While Lead Scientist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Animal Disease Center, Richt worked primarily in two areas: Emerging Viral Diseases of Swine (Influenza, PRRSV, PCV-2) and Animal Prion Diseases, such as Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, or Mad Cow Disease. He has developed innovative vaccinations against flu viruses and novel diagnostic tests to detect major swine respiratory pathogens. He also has studied the interspecies transmission of prion agents and the molecular nature of newly emerging bovine spongiform encephalopathy strains.

Because of his research experience, Richt has rapidly moved into the field of zoonotic influenza and prion research and is being recognized for his understanding of cross-species transmissions of animal prion agents and avian/swine/human transmission of influenza viruses.

He will develop a new research program at K-State encompassing a multidisciplinary approach to solve existing and emerging zoonotic disease concerns.

Richt holds a doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Munich, and a doctorate in veterinary virology from the University of Giessen.