Jürgen A. Richt

Jürgen A. Richt serves as a Regents and University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology at Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. He holds dual leadership roles as Director of the Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases (CEEZAD) and Director of the NIH Center on Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (CEZID). His career spans prestigious appointments including postdoctoral work at Johns Hopkins University and eight years as a Veterinary Medical Officer at the USDA-ARS National Animal Disease Center.

Dr. Richt's research focuses on high-consequence pathogens with zoonotic potential, particularly in the 'One Health' framework. His work spans animal influenza viruses (swine, bat, and avian), prion diseases including BSE, Rift Valley Fever virus, African Swine fever virus, Mpox virus, SARS-CoV-2, and Borna Disease virus. He pioneered the first reverse genetics system for swine influenza virus and developed the Ingelvac Provenza™ vaccine. His current research includes CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to develop knock-out pigs resistant to influenza and subunit vaccines for Rift Valley Fever and African Swine Fever.

Dr. Richt has published over 330 peer-reviewed manuscripts and secured more than $65 million in research grants. His work demonstrates consistent innovation in developing animal models, vaccines, and diagnostics for emerging infectious diseases with significant implications for both animal and human health.

• Pfizer Animal Health Award for Research Excellence (2011)
• Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2018)
• Excellence in Research Award from the American Academy of Veterinary Medical Colleges (2021)
• Dolph Simons Award for Biomedical Research by the University of Kansas (2021)
• Extraordinary professor at the University of Pretoria
• A rating from the National Research Foundation of South Africa

As founding Director of CEEZAD and CEZID, Dr. Richt supports NIH, DHS, and USDA in protecting public health and U.S. agricultural systems from devastating animal and zoonotic diseases. He serves as editor-in-chief for Virus Genes and on editorial boards for multiple scientific journals including Advances in Virus Research and Emerging Microbes and Infections. His lab continues to advance innovative approaches to combat emerging infectious diseases through cutting-edge molecular techniques and translational research.