The mission of the Veterinary Medical Research Institute (VMRI) is to conduct sustained, long-term, basic and applied research on animal health issues of major importance to producers and consumers, and to provide research training in the veterinary and biomedical sciences.

The principal strength of VMRI faculty is enthusiasm and dedication to research. This strength is built upon and nurtured by an uninterrupted record of excellence since 1928. The faculty is nationally and internationally recognized in applied and basic livestock health research, especially infectious disease research.

The faculty of the Veterinary Medical Research Institute (VMRI) represent multiple academic disciplines and interact extensively in multi-disciplinary research efforts to address animal health problems important to Iowa livestock producers. They also participate in teaching veterinary medical students and in undergraduate and graduate courses.

Dr. Harley W. Moon is one of several scientists conducting research and mentoring graduate students at the VMRI. Dr. Moon is a leading expert on E. coli 0157:H7 and a member of the National Academy of Sciences. He holds Iowa State's Frank K. Ramsey Endowed Chair in Veterinary Medicine.

Research & Faculty Leadership

Research is the major thrust of the VMRI faculty. They currently have 85 active grants totaling $6,190,351. In 1998, VMRI faculty were awarded 53 new grants (totaling $2,441,606) from national and state agencies, private industry and producer groups.

Also in 1998, two faculty received patents, one for a mycoplasma expression system (Dr. F. Chris Minion) and another for a method to provide artificial passive immunity in birds (Dr. Donald L. Reynolds). Two VMRI faculty were elected to serve nationally on American Veterinary Medical Association councils -- Dr. Prem Paul, Council on Research (1997-2003); Dr. Donald Reynolds, Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents (1999-2005).

Facilities

The VMRI's campus-like environment is made up of a series of well-equipped laboratories. A new state-of-the-art research building, the Livestock Infectious Disease Isolation Facility, opened in the fall of 1999. It is a Bio-Safety Level 2 facility, built at a cost of $6.27 million. It adds 20,045 square-feet (net) of state-of-the-art research space with tightly controlled environmental conditions. The LIDIF meets or exceeds strict national animal care accreditation guidelines.

Contact VMRI Office
Building 1 – Administration

Phone: 515-294-0677  |  FAX: 515-294-1401