My research interests broadly focus on livestock health epidemiology. More specifically I am leading or collaborating in projects pertaining to early detection of respiratory disease in beef cattle, pre-harvest food safety, real-time monitoring of animal health, and applied statistical methods. Much of my previous work focused on the intersection of animal and human health by describing the ecology and epidemiology of enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) in beef cattle populations. EHEC are important human foodborne pathogens with a bovine reservoir. Similarly, understanding epidemiology of foodborne pathogens in reservoir livestock populations can improve our ability to implement pre-harvest control measures.

Bovine respiratory disease is the leading cause of illness and death in cattle of all types. As we strive to produce animal protein sources for an expanding global population, efforts to reduce illness and death while reducing the use of medically important antimicrobials is imperative. Early detection of disease in calves is one way we may be able to reduce illness in the population, subsequent mortality, and general calf well-being.

In addition to my independent research program, I provide statistical support to faculty and graduate students across UTIA as a portion of my split appointment. For information regarding my consulting availability, please use the link here https://lschneiderutk.youcanbook.me/.