Welcome Dr. Laura Goodman

11.17.20

Laura Goodman, Ph.D. ’07 assistant research professor in the department of population medicine and diagnostic sciences, will soon be joining the faculty at the Baker Institute of Animal Health (BIAH).

Goodman is an emerging infectious disease researcher who trained at Cornell and Harvard, including postdoctoral work in the Parrish lab at the BIAH. She has investigated mechanisms of pathogen emergence and specializes in development of novel molecular testing and typing methods. She also brings experience in veterinary diagnostics into her research and teaching. Her lab takes a One Health perspective on pathogen discovery and surveillance, with focus areas on antimicrobial resistance and tick-borne disease, two emerging threats with the potential for major impacts on human and animal health.

Goodman’s collaborations with BIAH faculty as well as the Cornell Feline Health Center (CFHC) have long-been successful partnerships. In July, Goodman participated in a One Health webinar organized by the BIAH. Panelists included, Dr. Alexander J. Travis, professor of reproductive biology and director, Cornell University Master of Public Health Program (MPH), Colin R. Parrish, Ph.D., John M. Olin Professor of Virology, both faculty at the Baker Institute for Animal Health, and Bruce Kornreich, D.V.M. '92, Ph.D. '05, DACVIM, director of the CFHC. The webinar addressed COVID-19 and One Health concepts related to preventing the next pandemic.

Goodman is also a faculty recipient of CFHC research grant funding, currently working on several projects to identify infectious causes of disease syndromes in cats and studying the microbial profiles of raw meat diets. She also has active interests in wildlife conservation and has identified fungal agents causing novel pathologies. As an advocate for open science to promote planetary health, Goodman participates in the Cornell MPH Program, the Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases, and the New York Integrated Food Safety Center of Excellence.

Incorporation of next-generation sequencing into clinical testing has changed the discovery landscape for human medicine. The Goodman lab uses this technology for the development of clinical metagenomic and functional genomic applications, including unknown pathogen identification. Goodman has collaborated with several federal agencies to expand the use of sequencing in animal health, including the first real-time monitoring program for bacterial infections in companion animals featured in the National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria. Her lab also leverages this big data to analyze the genetic features of pathogens that affect both animals and people, in order to provide not only clinical guidance but also to recommend science-based updates to regulations.

When asked about her move to the Institute, Goodman states, “I’m enthusiastic about rejoining the Baker community as a faculty member and focusing on emerging infectious diseases in companion animals and wildlife from a planetary health perspective.”

Baker Institute faculty and staff look forward to having Goodman join the group as she moves her lab in the coming weeks.