Turkey Disease and Disease Prevention Grant Program

Several adult turkeys in a barn

The Turkey Disease and Disease Prevention Grant Program supports research on avian influenza, salmonella, and other turkey-related diseases and disease prevention measures. 

This grant funding is provided by the Minnesota legislature. Since the program’s inception, research has increased understanding of how avian influenza spreads, improved virus prevention and control measures, and developed new biosecurity and emergency response strategies.

This grant program was formerly known as the Avian Influenza Grant Program. The name was changed the Turkey Disease and Disease Prevention Grant Program in 2023 to better reflect the intent of the funds to support research related a range of poultry diseases.

Turkey Disease and Disease Prevention Grants

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2023 Minnesota Turkey Disease & Disease Prevention Grants

Project TitlePrincipal Investigator
Defining the Environmental and Physiological Contributors to the Onset of Periocular Inflammatory Disease in Turkey Breeder HensKahina Boukherroub, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource
Sciences (CFANS) Department of Animal Science
The Evolution of Influenza A Viruses in Immunosuppressed PoultryMarie Culhane, College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) Department of Veterinary
Population Medicine
Feed Additives to Combat Turkey Arthritis ReovirusSagar Goyal, College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) Department of Veterinary
Population Medicine
mRNA Vaccines to Combat Turkey Arthritis ReovirusSagar Goyal, College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) Department of Veterinary
Population Medicine
Avirulent Salmonella Phyto-Nanocapsules (aSpn): Customizable Multi-serotype Autogenous Vaccines for In-ovo and Flock Applications in Turkey Production to Prevent Transfer of Salmonella to Ground TurkeyAnup Johny, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
(CFANS) Department of Animal Science

2021 Response to Avian Influenza Grants

Project TitlePrincipal Investigator
Safe Evaluation of HPAI Airborne Transmission Risk from SurfacesJiayu Li
Exploring the Cellular and Molecular Determinants of Susceptibility of Minnesota’s Turkeys to Avian Influenza VirusHin Ly
Response of the Reproductive Tract to Avian Influenza Virus Infection, In Vivo and In VitroKahina Ghanem
Intervention Strategies to Combat Avian InfluenzaSagar Goyal
Using Transmission Dynamics to Right-Size Outbreak Response to Low Pathogenicity Avian InfluenzaAmos Ssematimba
Immunological Response in Turkey Breeder Hens to an Influenza DNA VaccineZheng Zing

2019 Response to Avian Influenza Grants

Project TitlePrincipal Investigator
Evaluating biosecure entry protocols and educational methods for entry of naïve and experienced persons to a poultry facilityErin Cortus
Using viral interference to limit the spread of avian influenza virus on infected poultry premisesCarol Cardona
Effective process and system for inactivation of avian influenza virusesRoger Ruan
What is causing avian influenza? Quantifying the relation between disease outbreaks in Eastern Asia, the patterns of migratory bird movements, and the risk for disease occurrence in MinnesotaAndres Perez
System biosecurity strategies to prevent the spread of avian influenza outbreaksCesar Corzo
Capturing movements of avian influenza vius from wild birds to domestic poultry in MinnesotaMarie Culhane
Risk assessment of mortality disposal strategies in an avian influenza outbreakCarol Cardona

2017 Response to Avian Influenza Grants

Project Title Principal Investigator
Simulation‐Based Demonstration and Education of Pathogen Transmission Risk Around Farms and OperationsErin Cortus
Minimizing avian influenza introductions by changing litter management practicesSally Noll
All Hands on Deck! Preparing for the next Avian Influenza Agricultural Emergency in MinnesotaKatey Pelican
Novel Microwave Inactivation of Avian Influenza VirusesRoger Ruan
Exploring the viral composition of influenza in swine to determine if swine have a role in the transmission of avian influenza in MinnesotaMontse Torremorell
Defining the role gull species play in the disease ecology of avian influenza in MinnesotaMarie Culhane

2015 Response to Avian Influenza Grants

Project Title Principal Investigator
Exploring between and within region spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)Sasi Malladi
Live bird marketing in MN and influenza infection statusCarol Cardona
Investigation of Minnesota backyard flocks in highly pathogenic avian influenza control zones and outreach to owners Larissa Minicucci
Age susceptibility to infection with HPAIVCarol Cardona
Surveillance, biosecurity and vaccination for Minnesota zoosAva M Trent
Developing and implementing a plan for MN poultry fairs, shows and swap meetsWayne Martin
Improving host resistance with vaccinesZheng Xing
Slotted floors for turkey barnsKevin Janni
Creating a new structural biosecurity and operational biosecurity paradigmSally Noll
Vegetative windbreaks for poultry farmsGary Wyatt
The economic recovery of the turkey industry in Minnesota and the United States after the 2015 avian influenza outbreakMetin Cakir