Institute Origins
The Animal Population Health Institute (APHI) was formed in February 2002 by Dr. Mo Salman. This Institute replaced two existing Colorado State University Centers -- Center of Veterinary Epidemiology and Animal Disease Surveillance Systems (CVEADSS) and the Center of Economically Important Infectious Animal Diseases (CEIIAD). The replacement of the two centers by the APHI served not only to consolidate both centers’ activities but also to provide a framework for the integration of additional research, service, and outreach programs.
CVEADSS
CVEADSS, established in 1992, provided an initial structure for sharing information, expertise, and facilities among Colorado State University, collaborating institutions, and government agencies worldwide. CVEADSS has been a recognized reference center for the United Nations - Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in the field of veterinary epidemiology and animal disease surveillance systems since its inception. This role continues with APHI. Furthermore, the broad mission of CVEADSS, which was to coordinate collaborative, multidisciplinary basic and applied research and to establish training activities in veterinary epidemiology, is integrated into APHI's research focus and programmatic activities.
CEIIAD
In 1998, the allocation of federal funds for the purpose of coordinating research activities on economically important infectious animal diseases resulted in the establishment of CEIIAD. Before CEIIAD, no organization provided an arena for timely, multidisciplinary research that synthesized information and data to pilot an animal disease concern from its roots in basic science through the development of policy. Since its inception and initial funding, this unique center was continually on the forefront in addressing the most challenging questions in veterinary epidemiology, food safety, risk assessment, trade economics, and diagnostic strategies for infectious animal diseases. These activities continued when the roles of the CVEADSS and CEIIAD were consolidated by establishing APHI. At this time, CEIIAD was included as one of the core programs in the Institute and renamed the Program of Economically Important Infectious Animal Diseases (PEIIAD).
Growth from 2002 — Present
With this beginning in 2002, additional faculty members joined Dr. Salman and began collaborating in research and outreach activities in veterinary epidemiology, food animal/equine internal medicine, bacteriology, foreign animal diseases and biosecurity. Dr. Frank Garry and colleagues within the Integrated Livestock Management (ILM) Program — a strong area of activity within the Department of Clinical Sciences for more than a decade — were early collaborators.
In 2006, Dr. Paul Morley became Institute Director and has helped lead in the expansion of APHI activities into additional areas including activities related to horses and other companion animals and extensive efforts regarding training programs in public health .
Currently, APHI research and outreach activities have expanded to include those allied with the intersection of animal infectious diseases and public health including biosecurity, antimicrobial resistance, the livestock-wildlife interface, and zoonoses.
In September 2009, many APHI faculty and staff moved to new Diagnostic Medical Center building, which is located north of the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital at 300 West Drake Road. (photo right)