معرفی
Dr. Linda Saif is a Distinguished University Professor at The Ohio State University (OSU), affiliated with the Center for Food Animal Health (CFAH) and the Veterinary Preventive Medicine Department within the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). Her research focuses on enteric and respiratory viral infections in animals and humans, particularly coronaviruses, rotaviruses, and caliciviruses. Key areas include mucosal immunity, vaccine development, and zoonotic transmission. She leads a WHO International Reference Lab for Animal Coronaviruses and has contributed to global health initiatives, such as advising during the SARS and MERS outbreaks.
Education:
- Ph.D., The Ohio State University (1976)
- M.S., The Ohio State University (1971)
- B.A., The College of Wooster (1969)
Research Interests: Dr. Saif’s work emphasizes viral pathogenesis mechanisms, maternal vaccines for neonatal protection, probiotics/microbiome interactions, and vaccine strategies for viral diarrhea. Her lab utilizes germ-free animal models to study neonatal immunity and vaccine efficacy. Current projects investigate vitamin A deficiency impacts and interspecies coronavirus transmission.
Publications: Over 400 peer-reviewed articles and 78 book chapters, with recent work on SARS-CoV-2 variants, porcine deltacoronaviruses, and rotavirus immunity.
Awards & Honors:
- Wolf Prize in Agriculture (2015)
- Member, U.S. National Academy of Sciences (2003)
- First Woman Recipient of Wolf Prize in Agriculture
- Fellowships: AAAS, American College of Veterinary Microbiologists
Grants & Labs: Her lab collaborates with WHO, OIE, and international agencies. Training focuses on molecular virology, vaccinology, and large-animal disease models.
