Kathryn E. Reif

Kathryn E. Reif is an Associate Professor and inaugural holder of the Bailey-Goodwin Endowed Chair in Parasitology at the Department of Pathobiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University. She previously served as a tenure-track Assistant Professor at Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and completed postdoctoral fellowships at Washington State University’s Department of Veterinary Medicine and Pathobiology and the USDA-ARS Animal Disease Research Unit.

• PhD, Louisiana State University, Pathobiology
• MSPH, Tulane University, Tropical Medicine

Dr. Reif’s research focuses on vectors and vector-borne diseases of veterinary, medical, and agricultural significance, particularly ticks and tick-borne pathogens. Her ongoing projects include:

• Real-time monitoring of tick salivation and feeding behaviors
• Evaluating antimicrobial and ectoparasiticide efficacy
• Investigating transmission dynamics and control strategies for bovine anaplasmosis and theileriosis
• Tick-borne pathogen surveillance and vaccine development

Her work bridges public health, veterinary medicine, and agricultural systems, with a strong emphasis on translational research and stakeholder engagement.

• NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Fellowship
• Bailey-Goodwin Endowed Chair in Parasitology

Dr. Reif actively engages veterinarians, producers, and clinicians through collaborative research and outreach presentations on tick-borne pathogens. While specific grants are not detailed, her postdoctoral and faculty appointments suggest a history of securing competitive research funding.