Avian Bioscience Center

Animal & Food Sciences

Interim Director

Mark Parcells, Ph.D. is a professor of molecular virology in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences, with joint appointments with the Departments of Biological Sciences and Medical and Molecular Sciences.

After receiving his bachelor's degree in Biology from UD in 1984, he worked at DuPont and the Experimental Station before earning his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences in 1994.

In his career, he has served as a limited-term researcher at UD, an Assistant Professor of Molecular Virology at the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science at the University of Arkansas, and an Associate Professor and Professor of Molecular Virology, returning to UD once more. Parcells has extensively studied Marek's disease virus (MDV) and has made fundamental discoveries, receiving the József Marek Memorial Award in 2007 for his contributions to the field. He also engages in teaching, offering courses in Animal Virology, Immunology of Domestic Animals, and guest lectures on Viral Pathogenesis. Dr. Parcells' work extends to providing expert reviews for veterinarians and serving on scientific advisory boards for animal health companies.

Avian Bioscience Center Internal Advisory Committee

Dr. Mark Isaacs, Director Carvel Research and Education Center
Department of Plant and Soil Science
Plant Physiologist
Isaacs@udel.edu

Dr. Erin Brannick, Director CANR Comparative Pathology Laboratory
Department of Animal and Food Sciences
Veterinary Anatomic Pathologist
brannick@udel.edu

Dr. Hong Li, Associate Professor
Department of Animal and Food Sciences
Agricultural Engineer, Animal Welfare and Air Quality
hli@udel.edu

Dr. Brian Ladman, Senior Scientist
Department of Animal and Food Sciences
Avian Virologist
bladman@udel.edu

Dr. Ryan Arsenault, Assistant Professor
Department of Animal and Food Sciences
Molecular Biologist/One Health
rja@udel.edu

Ms. Georgie Cartanza, Extension Agent II
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Poultry Extension Specialist
cartanza@udel.edu

Avian Biosciences Center

Mission, Vision and Objectives

The center will lead the way in research, education, and outreach programs that will provide solutions to contemporary problems in the avian biosciences. Defining and accomplishing science-based solutions to contemporary problems in the avian biosciences.

Director and Steering Committee

Meet the researchers on board to assist with prioritizing and steering the focus of the center.

One Health

Zoonotic diseases are very common, both in the United States and around the world. A "One Health" approach to research provides an opportunity to understand the relationships between humans and animals.

Outreach and Extension

The focus will be on coordinating efforts among government agencies, universities and the poultry industry abroad to increase efficiency, biosecurity protocols and poultry operations.

Poultry Health Systems

The overall goal of the Poultry Health program is to provide surveillance, rapid diagnosis, prevention, and control of avian diseases.

Emergency Poultry Disease Response (EPDR) Certificate Course

Teaches U.S. and international professionals about preparedness planning, biosecurity and assessment tools, and rapid response techniques and technology.

Poultry Research

UD's poultry research includes topics in the management of mortality and litter quality, disease prevention, ventilation and energy, poultry house construction, animal standards of care and overall best practices in poultry management.