 Melanie Prarat KoscielnyNortheast Representative, Region 1 (Term: 2024-2027)
Melanie Prarat Koscielny, MS in Molecular Genetics from the University of Cincinnati. She worked at Plum Island Animal Disease Center for 4 years where she developed critical research and diagnostic skills while working within the FADRU and FADDL laboratories, studying viral pathogenesis and developing molecular assays for rapid detection of rinderpest virus and sheep & goat pox. She joined the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory as a research scientist in 2014, before moving into the role of Laboratory Operations Manager in 2021. In this role, she oversees a USDA NAHLN Level 1 and FDA Vet-LIRN WGS laboratory that performs >490,000 tests each year and is involved in emergency and outbreak response. Her research interests include next-generation sequencing and the diagnosis of and surveillance of viral diseases of swine, including African swine fever, foot and mouth disease, porcine enteric coronavirus, and classical swine fever. Melanie spearheaded the lab’s interest in joining the Swine Disease Reporting System (SDRS) network in 2021 and is the principal investigator for multiple federal cooperative agreements & projects with USDA NIFA, FDA GenomeTrakr, and FDA Vet-LIRN. As chair of AAVLD’s virology committee, Melanie and the virology committee co-chair recently were awarded funds through the National Animal Health Laboratory Network Enhancement FY 2024 Cooperative/Interagency Agreements to host a symposium on International Experiences with High Consequence Animal Disease Outbreaks and Response, planned for AAVLD 2025. Back to our teamBack to our team |
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Veterinary Laboratory Support to the Public Health Response for COVID-19
TESTING OF HUMAN DIAGNOSTIC SPECIMENS IN VETERINARY LABORATORIES
AAVLD Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy
The American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) values and respects each member, irrespective of race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, political affiliation, education, or disability. The AAVLD believes diversity enhances the mission and goals of the Association. The AAVLD listens to and appreciates all voices and believes every human being should be treated with respect. The AAVLD is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all.