Erdal Erol

Erdal Erol is a Professor in the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) at the University of Kentucky's Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. He leads the Clinical Microbiology section and focuses on antimicrobial resistance, infectious disease diagnostics, and Rhodococcus equi research. He holds a DVM from Firat University (1986), an MS from the University of Missouri (1998), and a PhD from Texas A&M University (2004).

• Education:
  • DVM, Firat University (1986)
  • MS, University of Missouri (1998)
  • PhD, Texas A&M University (2004)

His research emphasizes Rhodococcus equi resistance mechanisms, diagnostic assay development, and cross-species infectious diseases. Notable work includes investigating increased macrolide/rifampin resistance in R. equi isolates and developing multiplex PCR assays for rotavirus detection. He collaborates with global institutions on antimicrobial resistance surveillance and bacterial genomics.

Active in grants, he leads projects funded by USDA APHIS and FDA Vet-LIRN, focusing on genome sequencing of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens and diagnostic laboratory capacity. His work supports veterinary public health, food safety, and infectious disease control.

He oversees the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory’s microbiology division and contributes to the Gluck Equine Research Center’s efforts in equine infectious diseases. His lab investigates nocardioform placentitis, leptospirosis, and zoonotic pathogens.