Texas Tech University

Vector-Borne Zoonoses Laboratory

Professor - Department of Environmental Toxicology
Director - Biological Threat Research Laboratory & Bioterrorism Response Laboratory

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Texas Tech University Department of Environmental Toxicology, TTUBox 41163 • Lubbock, Texas  79409-1163  • U.S.A.
Office: 806-834-8260  or  806-885-0236   Fax: 806-885-2132
Email: steve.presley@ttu.edu

Research
FOCUS
Areas
Texas Tech University Department of Environmental Toxicology, BRL Logo

Our specific research objective and focus is to better understand the environmental factors, both biotic and abiotic, that influence the occurrence, transmission, maintenance, and persistence of biological threat agents (naturally occurring and intentionally introduced), particularly zoonoses and other infectious pathogens of wildlife. Ultimately identifying potential vulnerabilities in the transmission and maintenance dynamics of the pathogen that can be exploited to limit or control its threat to human and animal health.  This objective is accomplished through the detection and monitoring of the occurrence and incidence of established, emerging, resurgent and introduced pathogens.  And by identifying and understanding relationships among primary hosts, vectors, intermediate hosts, and accidental/incidental hosts, as well as the environmental factors that influence those relationships.

Current ACTIVE Research Projects

Title: Feral Hog Semi-Annual Serology Surveys in Oklahoma: PRRS,Brucella, Francisella tularensis, Pseudorabies, Chagas Disease

Investigators: S.M. Presley (PI)

Funding Sponsor: Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation

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Title: Feral Hog Serology and Tissue Surveys for Chagas Disease on the Oklahoma/Texas Border

Investigators: S.M. Presley (PI)

Funding Sponsor: Internally Funded

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Title: Feral Hog Trans-Placental Study for Neosporosis caninum on the Oklahoma/Texas Border

Investigators: S.M. Presley (PI)

Funding Sponsor: Internally Funded

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Title: West Nile / Arboviral Seasonal Screening in Lubbock, Texas

Investigators: S.M. Presley (PI)

Funding Sponsor: Internally Funded

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Title: Mosquito Insecticide Resistance Testing in 50 Texas Counties

Investigators: S.M. Presley (PI)

Funding Sponsor: Texas DSHS

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Title: Stegomyia (Ae. alblpictus, Ae. aegypti mosquitos) Surveillance in the Texas Panhandle

Investigators: S.M. Presley (PI)

Funding Sponsor: Texas DSHS

Recently Completed Research Projects

Title: Vaccine efficacy trials for epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) in white-tailed deer

Investigators: S.M. Presley (PI), E. Smith (Co-PI)

Funding Sponsor: Deer Breeders Corporation

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Title: Quail Disease Screening for Quail Cholera, Newcastle Disease, and West Nile Virus in the West Texas Panhandle

Investigators: S.M. Presley (PI)

Funding Sponsor: RPQRF

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Title: Black Bear Semi-Annual Serology Surveys in Eastern

Oklahoma: PRRS, Brucella, Francisella tularensis, Pseudorabies, Chagas Disease

Investigators: S.M. Presley (PI)

Funding Sponsor: Oklahoma State University

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Title: Study of Drug Residue in White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus

virginianus)

Investigators: E. Smith (PI), G.P. Austin (Co-PI), S.M. Presley (Co-PI)

Funding Sponsor: Deer Breeders Corporation

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Title: Operation Idiopathic Decline – II: Determining Lifecycle and

Transmission Dynamics of Oxyspirura petrowi in Rolling Plains

Cockroach (Order: Blattaria) and Orthopteran Species Consumed by Northern Bobwhite Quail

Investigators: S.M. Presley (PI)

Funding Sponsor: Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation

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Title: Operation Idiopathic Decline: Prevalence of Arboviral, Infectious and Zoonotic Pathogens

Investigators: S.M. Presley (PI) & R.J. Kendall (Co-PI)

Funding Sponsor: Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation

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Title: Serologic Survey of Feral Swine in Texas and Oklahoma for Coxiella burnetii, Franciscella tularensis, and Yersinia pestis

Investigators: S.M. Presley (PI)

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Title: Serologic Survey of Lesser Prairie Chickens for Fowl Cholera and West Nile Virus

Investigators: S.M. Presley (PI)

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Title: Investigating the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases within Lake Ecosystems: The case of East African Rift Valley Lake Ecosystems and Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor) mass-die offs

Investigators: S.M. Presley (PI)

Additional Laboratory Capabilities

• Milk Regulatory Laboratory

Title: Milk Regulatory Testing Laboratory

Investigators: S.M. Presley (PI)

Funding Sponsor: Texas Department of State Health Services

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• BSL-3 Capabilities

Title: Bioterrorism Response Lab, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Laboratory Response Network – Public Health Emergency Preparedness / Hospital Preparedness / Influenza Surveillance

Investigators: S.M. Presley (PI)

Funding Sponsor: Texas Department of State Health Services

Published Books:

Texas Tech University Department of Environmental Toxicology, New Developments in Biological and Chemical Terrorism Countermeasures
New Developments in Biological and Chemical Terrorism

Edited By Ronald J. Kendall, Steven M. Presley, Seshadri S. RamkumarCopyright 2016


Texas Tech University Department of Environmental Toxicology, Advances in Biological and Chemical Terrorism Countermeasures

 

Advances In Biological and Chemical Terrorism  Coutermeasures

Ronald J. Kendall, Steven M. Presley, Galen P. Austin, Philip N. Smith