Andrew J. Broadbent

Andrew J. Broadbent is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal and Avian Sciences at the University of Maryland, College Park, within the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. His research focuses on the molecular virology of avian viruses, including avian influenza virus (AIV), infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), and avian reovirus (ARV), with an emphasis on vaccine development, pathogenesis, and zoonotic disease prevention.

Education and Experience

• 2002-2005: MA in Pathology, University of Cambridge
• 1999-2002: MA in Pathology, University of Cambridge
• 2006-2010: PhD in Microbiology & Immunology, Imperial College London
• 2010-2014: Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow, NIH
• 2014-2019: Research Fellow, The Pirbright Institute
• 2019-2021: Group Leader, The Pirbright Institute
• 2020-2021: Teaching Fellow, University of Surrey
• 2021-Present: Assistant Professor, University of Maryland

Research Focus

Broadbent's work centers on understanding how avian RNA viruses replicate and cause disease, particularly their interactions with host immune systems. His lab investigates immunosuppression mechanisms, viral evolution, and vaccine efficacy using in vitro and in vivo models like chicken bursal cells and molecular imaging techniques.

Article Trends

His publications emphasize segmented RNA viruses (IBDV, influenza), viral replication structures (virus factories), immune evasion strategies, and cross-species transmission dynamics. Recent studies explore antigenic drift modeling and zoonotic potential of avian pathogens.

Scientific Contributions

• MPower Partnership Seed Grant ($300,765) for zoonotic virus prevention
• Involved in six UMD Grand Challenge Grants
• Elected ASV Veterinary Virology Councilor

Students and Lab

Current lab members include PhD students Andrew Brodrick and Jyothsna Girish, postdoc Dr. Sofia Egana-Labrin, and technician Alex Broadwway. The lab utilizes primary tissue culture, molecular biology, and bio-imaging to study avian viral diseases.