Person

Mohamed Abouelkhair, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVM (Immun&Viro), C-ABMM

Assistant Professor | Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences Department

Specialization: Diplomate American College of Veterinary Microbiologists: Virology and Immunology

Overview

My academic research spans multiple focal areas, including microbial genomics, the development of molecular assays like CRISPR for detecting infectious diseases, cancer research focusing on the tumor microenvironment, and viral immunology. Dr. Abouelkhair's work has led to significant findings, including identifying antimicrobial resistance distribution in Animal staphylococcal pathogen across U.S., Africa, and Europe and uncovering molecular determinants responsible for immune evasion and pathogenicity, which could inform vaccine development. Notably, Dr. Abouelkhair holds a U.S. patent for "Staphylococcus pseudintermedius virulence factor vaccine compositions," showcasing notable contributions to the field. Another branch of Dr. Abouelkhair's research focuses on studying the tumor microenvironment and exploring the clinical applications of Natural Killer (NK) cells and Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) NK cells as potential cancer immunotherapies in animals.

Research Focus

Microbial Bioinformatics, development of new molecular assays (including CRISPR) for detection of existing and emerging infectious diseases and Cancer and Viral Immunology.

Clinical Focus

Clinical immunology; Clinical Virology; Flow cytometry-based cell analysis; Modulation of the immune response.

Teaching Focus

Graduate and veterinary student training in Molecular Biology, Immunology (VMP813, CEM 541), Virology (VMP821), Microbial Bioinformatics, and Vaccine development

Outreach Focus

American Veterinary Medical Association: American College of Veterinary Microbiologist, American Association of Immunologists, American Society for Virology, American board of Medical Microbiology, American Society for Microbiology...

Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
CEM 510 - Graduate Research Participation
1 - 6 credit hours

Advanced research techniques while conducting individual biomedical research projects under supervision of faculty.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 12 hours.
Comment(s): Open to all graduate students.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.

Other Instructors: Lear, Andrea Sketch | Springer, Nora Lynn | Gerhold Jr, Richard William | Thompson, Patrick Beamon | Anderson, David Edgar | Collar, Elizabeth Marie | Rajeev, Sree | Smith, Joe

CEM 515 - Current Topics in Comparative and Experimental Medicine
1 - 6 credit hours

Specialized experience in comparative and experimental medicine.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 12 hours.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.

Other Instructors: Rouse, Barry T | Collar, Elizabeth Marie

CEM 610 - Advanced Topics in Comparative and Experimental Medicine
1 - 3 credit hours

Specialized, in-depth experience in various disciplines. Current and future research methodology, recent advances in instrumentation in analytical techniques for comparative medicine.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 12 hours.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate.

Other Instructors: Cushing, Andrew | Giori, Luca | Gerhold Jr, Richard William | Neelakanta, Girish

CEM 612 - Journal Club in Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences
1 credit hour(s)

Readings and discussions based on current literature.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 12 hours.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate.

Other Instructors: Whitlock, Brian Keith | Sheldon, Julie Deanne | Miller, Deb | Cushing, Andrew | Schaefer, Deanna M | Lear, Andrea Sketch | Giori, Luca | Neelakanta, Girish

VMP 813 - Immunology
2 credit hour(s)

Basic biology and practical aspects of immunology: cells of immune system, immune function and dysfunction, immunoprophylaxis, diagnostic testing and specific diseases involving immune system.
Registration Restriction(s): Veterinary Medicine Students only.

Other Instructors: Risalvato, Jacquline

VMP 821 - Virology
2 credit hour(s)

Structural and genetic bases for classification of animal viruses into separate families. Molecular biology of viral replication and viral pathogenesis.

Registration Restriction(s): Veterinary Medicine Students only.

VMP 871 - Special Problems in Comparative Medicine
1 - 8 credit hours

Extramural and specially-designed study for students interested in select topics in avian medicine, laboratory animal medicine, zoo animal medicine, epidemiology, public health, pharmacology or toxicology.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 14 hours.
Registration Restriction(s): Veterinary Medicine Students only.

Picture of Mohamed Abouelkhair, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVM (Immun&Viro), C-ABMM
A201 Veterinary Medical Center
2407 River Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4542
Education and Training
  • Doctorate, Comparative and Experimental Medicine, Univ of Tennessee Knoxville*, 2019
  • Masters, Microbiology, University of Sadat City, 2013
  • DVM, Veterinary Science, University of Sadat City, 2009

Mohamed Abouelkhair, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVM (Immun&Viro), C-ABMM

Assistant Professor | Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences Department
Picture of Mohamed Abouelkhair, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVM (Immun&Viro), C-ABMM image
A201 Veterinary Medical Center
2407 River Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4542
Education and Training
  • Doctorate, Comparative and Experimental Medicine, Univ of Tennessee Knoxville*, 2019
  • Masters, Microbiology, University of Sadat City, 2013
  • DVM, Veterinary Science, University of Sadat City, 2009
Overview

My academic research spans multiple focal areas, including microbial genomics, the development of molecular assays like CRISPR for detecting infectious diseases, cancer research focusing on the tumor microenvironment, and viral immunology. Dr. Abouelkhair's work has led to significant findings, including identifying antimicrobial resistance distribution in Animal staphylococcal pathogen across U.S., Africa, and Europe and uncovering molecular determinants responsible for immune evasion and pathogenicity, which could inform vaccine development. Notably, Dr. Abouelkhair holds a U.S. patent for "Staphylococcus pseudintermedius virulence factor vaccine compositions," showcasing notable contributions to the field. Another branch of Dr. Abouelkhair's research focuses on studying the tumor microenvironment and exploring the clinical applications of Natural Killer (NK) cells and Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) NK cells as potential cancer immunotherapies in animals.

Research Focus

Microbial Bioinformatics, development of new molecular assays (including CRISPR) for detection of existing and emerging infectious diseases and Cancer and Viral Immunology.

Clinical Focus

Clinical immunology; Clinical Virology; Flow cytometry-based cell analysis; Modulation of the immune response.

Teaching Focus

Graduate and veterinary student training in Molecular Biology, Immunology (VMP813, CEM 541), Virology (VMP821), Microbial Bioinformatics, and Vaccine development

Outreach Focus

American Veterinary Medical Association: American College of Veterinary Microbiologist, American Association of Immunologists, American Society for Virology, American board of Medical Microbiology, American Society for Microbiology...

Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
CEM 510 - Graduate Research Participation
1 - 6 credit hours

Advanced research techniques while conducting individual biomedical research projects under supervision of faculty.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 12 hours.
Comment(s): Open to all graduate students.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.

Other Instructors: Lear, Andrea Sketch | Springer, Nora Lynn | Gerhold Jr, Richard William | Thompson, Patrick Beamon | Anderson, David Edgar | Collar, Elizabeth Marie | Rajeev, Sree | Smith, Joe

CEM 515 - Current Topics in Comparative and Experimental Medicine
1 - 6 credit hours

Specialized experience in comparative and experimental medicine.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 12 hours.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.

Other Instructors: Rouse, Barry T | Collar, Elizabeth Marie

CEM 610 - Advanced Topics in Comparative and Experimental Medicine
1 - 3 credit hours

Specialized, in-depth experience in various disciplines. Current and future research methodology, recent advances in instrumentation in analytical techniques for comparative medicine.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 12 hours.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate.

Other Instructors: Cushing, Andrew | Giori, Luca | Gerhold Jr, Richard William | Neelakanta, Girish

CEM 612 - Journal Club in Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences
1 credit hour(s)

Readings and discussions based on current literature.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 12 hours.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate.

Other Instructors: Whitlock, Brian Keith | Sheldon, Julie Deanne | Miller, Deb | Cushing, Andrew | Schaefer, Deanna M | Lear, Andrea Sketch | Giori, Luca | Neelakanta, Girish

VMP 813 - Immunology
2 credit hour(s)

Basic biology and practical aspects of immunology: cells of immune system, immune function and dysfunction, immunoprophylaxis, diagnostic testing and specific diseases involving immune system.
Registration Restriction(s): Veterinary Medicine Students only.

Other Instructors: Risalvato, Jacquline

VMP 821 - Virology
2 credit hour(s)

Structural and genetic bases for classification of animal viruses into separate families. Molecular biology of viral replication and viral pathogenesis.

Registration Restriction(s): Veterinary Medicine Students only.

VMP 871 - Special Problems in Comparative Medicine
1 - 8 credit hours

Extramural and specially-designed study for students interested in select topics in avian medicine, laboratory animal medicine, zoo animal medicine, epidemiology, public health, pharmacology or toxicology.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 14 hours.
Registration Restriction(s): Veterinary Medicine Students only.