Name: Kristin M. Pfahl

From: Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Degrees and institute where received:

BS, Biology, Slippery Rock University

MS, Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, August 2015

Kristin Pfahl, MS, has lived in Lexington, Kentucky, since May 2004 when she came to work for Carol McLeod, DVM. In September of that year, Pfahl was hired at the University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. She began working toward her master’s degree in 2009 at the UK Gluck Equine Research Center under Udeni Balasuriya, BVSc, MS, PhD, professor of virology.

Pfahl has worked part-time to complete research for her master’s degree, which focuses on the evaluation and validation of a commercially available competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) for detecting antibodies specific to equine arteritis virus (EAV). EAV causes equine viral arteritis (EVA), which is an upper respiratory tract and reproductive disease in horses. EVA negatively impacts the breeding industry by causing abortions in pregnant mares and establishing carrier states in stallions.

Testing for EVA is required on exported horses as well as those at public auction. The virus neutralization test, which detects virus antibodies, is most common and recommended by the World Organisation for Animal Health. This test requires large amounts of time and finances and is not standardized between laboratories.

“The purpose of my project was to further validate a new test method that is already commercially available but not widely accepted,” Pfahl said. “The cELISA test method has a faster turnaround time, it can be standardized, and it is less expensive than the virus neutralization test, among other benefits.”

Pfahl said she chose to pursue a master’s degree in veterinary science so she could apply the knowledge and understanding of virology to her career as a veterinary diagnostician.

“This project has really emphasized to me the importance of applied research to the improvement of veterinary diagnostic testing,” Pfahl said.

After completing her degree, Pfahl will relocate to California. There she hopes to continue working at a diagnostic laboratory or within the biotechnology industry.

Author: Hannah Forte