Karen Andrea Terio

Karen Andrea Terio serves as Professor in both the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab and Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine within the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. She holds leadership roles as Interim Assistant Director of the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab and Chief of the Zoological Pathology Program, directing wildlife health diagnostics and conservation initiatives.

Her research program centers on pathological investigations of endangered species, with emphasis on viral pathogens in non-domestic felids (cheetahs, chimpanzees) and reptilian diseases. She pioneers diagnostic methodologies for wildlife disease surveillance, including SARS-CoV-2 detection in animal populations and genomic analysis of conservation-significant species. Fieldwork extends to Tanzania's Gombe National Park and collaborative networks across North American wildlife institutions.

Recent publications demonstrate methodological innovation in veterinary diagnostics and cross-species disease ecology, with significant contributions to aquatic animal pathology and reptile health surveillance. Her work bridges laboratory science with in-situ conservation applications for free-ranging and captive wildlife populations.

Scientific Awards:

• ACVP Mid-Career Excellence Award (2021) - Recognizing outstanding contributions to veterinary pathology with emphasis on wildlife health

Dr. Terio's Zoological Pathology Program provides critical diagnostic support for zoological institutions nationwide and conducts field surveillance for emerging pathogens in turtle populations. Her team maintains active collaborations with the Lincoln Park Zoo and international conservation organizations, focusing on disease threats to endangered species through integrated laboratory-field approaches.