PhD in Veterinary Biomedical Science

Dr. Verma is a board-certified veterinary microbiologist with extensive experience in research and veterinary education. He earned his professional degree in veterinary medicine and a master’s degree in animal biotechnology in India before completing his Ph.D. in Equine Infectious Diseases at the University of Kentucky (UK). He later conducted postdoctoral research at the UK College of Medicine, where his work focused on the pathogenesis of leptospirosis and Lyme disease.

Prior to joining Lincoln Memorial University-College of Veterinary Medicine (LMU-CVM), Dr. Verma served on the faculty at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. There, he taught veterinary bacteriology, provided diagnostic services, and led research initiatives on leptospirosis and other infectious diseases.

Since joining LMU-CVM a decade ago, Dr. Verma has served as course director and instructor for both the Bacteriology-Mycology and Immunology courses in the DVM curriculum. His research focuses on molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis, identification of novel diagnostic targets, and epidemiological studies of infectious diseases relevant to animal and public health. His work has led to the identification of key biomarkers to distinguish naturally infected horses from vaccinated ones, uncovered significant insights into mammalian and non-mammalian reservoirs of leptospirosis, and advanced the understanding of pathogen-host interactions.

Dr. Verma has been actively involved in professional service, including serving on the Executive Committee of the International Leptospirosis Society and participating on several committees within the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists. He also serves on the editorial boards of multiple peer-reviewed scientific journals.

As Associate Dean of Basic Sciences and Research at LMU-CVM, Dr. Verma provides strategic leadership for the college’s research enterprise. He oversees the development and expansion of research programs, fosters interdisciplinary and external collaborations, supports grant development efforts, enhances research infrastructure, and promotes a culture of scholarly excellence. He is deeply committed to mentoring early-career faculty and expanding research opportunities for both veterinary and graduate students.

Dr. Kolp received his bachelor’s degree in horticulture and Ph.D. in Plant Biology and Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior from Michigan State University under Drs. Andrew Jarosz and Dennis Fulbright. He served as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Kansas under Dr. Maggie Wagner, and as a National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellow under Dr. Benjamin Parker at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Kolp serves as the program manager for the Center for Animal and Human Health in Appalachia (CAHA) and assistant professor of One Health at LMU. The Kolp lab investigates the microbes that illicit host responses, including pathogenicity and parasitism, as well as mutualism and host benefits. Currently, Dr. Kolp (Matt/he/him) has ongoing projects related to (i) tick-borne pathogens, (ii) public health issues of recreational dog parks, and (iii) the microbiome of medicinal plants.

Dr. Wisnieski is a dedicated researcher and mentor passionate about advancing public health, veterinary epidemiology, and One Health initiatives. As an associate professor at Lincoln Memorial University’s College of Veterinary Medicine (LMU-CVM), she focuses on epidemiological research, predictive modeling, and health disparities in both human and animal populations.

Dr. Wisnieski holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology and an M.S. in Epidemiology from Michigan State University. Her research spans diverse areas, including infectious disease surveillance, veterinary workforce challenges, and human-animal interactions. She has an extensive publication record in peer-reviewed journals. At LMU, Dr. Wisnieski actively mentors graduate and veterinary students, providing guidance in research design, statistical analysis, and evidence-based medicine. She is committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative research environment where students can develop critical thinking skills and contribute to impactful scientific discoveries.

Dr. Wood is trained as a neuropharmacologist. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health, he entered the pharmaceutical industry, where he studied analgesics, antipsychotics, and anti-inflammatory drugs. He then returned to academia, working at Northwestern University and the Mayo Clinic prior to joining Lincoln Memorial University.

As current Director of the Metabolomics Unit, Dr. Wood is responsible for developing clinical metabolomic assay platforms to sample across biochemical pathways. These platforms are utilized to study both human and veterinary clinical samples. The research unit is also dedicated to exposing students to research as a possible career path and training students interested in research careers.