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Shelley Mehlenbacher, DVM, MPH, DACVPM

Associate Professor of Practice

Executive Director of the Animal Health Diagnostic Center

Associate Dean for Diagnostic Operations and Government Relations

Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

240 Farrier Rd, Ithaca, NY 14853

Email: slm384@cornell.edu

Profile

Education

  • Master of Public Health, University of Minnesota, School of Public Health, 2011
  • Public Health and Food Safety Residency, University of Minnesota, 2011
  • Food Animal Medicine and Surgery Internship, Iowa State, 2001
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine, 2000
  • Bachelor of Science in Biology, State University of New York at Geneseo, 1995

Biography/Professional Experience

  • Area Director, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Affairs, U.S. Embassy Brasilia, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS): 2020-2025
  • Assistant State Veterinarian, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets: 2012-2020
  • Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostician: 2013
  • Staff Veterinarian, National Pork Producers Council: 2012
  • Technical Services Veterinarian, Bayer Animal Health: 2006-2009
  • Private Practice Veterinarian: 2001-2006

Awards and Honors

  • Performance Excellence in Agricultural Diplomacy: 2023, 2024, 2025
  • Merit Excellence Award, Vermont Secretary of Agriculture: 2015, 2016

Professional/Academic Affiliations

  • American Veterinary Medical Association
  • American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians
  • United States Animal Health Association
  • American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians

Publications

Selected Publications

A Compendium of Measures to Prevent Zoonotic Diseases Associated with Non-Traditional Pets, Varela, K., NSAPHV Committee Consultant: Mehlenbacher, S., (2022), Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases. Doi: 10.1089/vbz.2022.0022

Availability, Brands, Labelling and Salmonella Contamination of Raw Pet Food in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Area. Mehlenbacher, S., Churchill, J., Olsen, K. E. and Bender, J. B. (2012), Zoonoses and Public Health. doi: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2012.01491.x