The over-all goal of my research program is to ensure a safe and economical food supply with reduced risks of transmission of zoonotic diseases to farm families and the general public. I have two main research interests; the first is to prevent and control infectious diseases on dairy farms, primarily mastitis and Johne’s disease, including both animal and public health perspectives. New prevention and control programs in Canada, The Netherlands, and other countries have been introduced or changed based on results of my research. My second main research interest involves interactions among hosts, microbes and the environment in antimicrobial resistance.

My research projects are conducted by graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, often with assistance of summer students. Because I value a multidisciplinary education of these graduate students, all of my graduate students are co-supervised by a faculty member with a complimentary expertise, most often a basic scientist. Knowledge transfer and exchange is a logical and important extension of my research program.