Meet Dr. Pedersen’s Core Research Team

Researchers at UC Davis fully intends to be leaders in Feline Infectious Peritonitis research until the disease is conquered. Dr. Pedersen is more active than ever with FIP Research. He retired from his very demanding executive administrative responsibilities as Executive Director of the Center for Companion Animal Health and Director of the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory last fall, which has provided much more time to concentrate on FIP research and collaboration. There are many FIP research projects ongoing currently, which include the FIP Genetics Studies, FIP multiple cat environment study, antiviral drugs studies, and worldwide collaborations with other universities and researchers. Dr. Pedersen is mentoring the most talented team of Doctors and researchers to secure the research momentum and continue to lead the challenge. “There is no way I would leave my research at UC Davis without providing credible successors to carry the research forward.” – Dr. P.

Dr. Brian G. Murphy
BA, DVM, PhD, Assistant Professor, Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology

Dr. Murphy and his graduate student, Chrissy Eckstrand, have applied for and received a grant from the UC Davis CCAH for an important FIP project. His research focus is in viral transcriptional regulation and the relationship of virus-host cell interaction to pathogenesis, with special focus in anatomic pathology, retrovirology, and oral and orthopaedic pathology. For his complete bio and a list of Dr. Murphy’s achievements, click here: Vetmed Ucdavis

Education:

1988 BA Biology, Whitman Collect, Walla Walla WA
1992 DVM, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
2006 PhD Virology/Veterinary Pathology Residency, Washington State University, Pullman, WA

Dr. Patricia A. Pesavento
DVM, PhD, Associate Professor, Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology

Dr. Pesavento is interested in FIP as it affects intensively housed animals, and in particular studies of shelter associated feline infectious peritonitis. Her second laboratory focus in on viral discovery. Her speciality focus is anatomic pathology. Link to Dr. Pesavento’s list of credentials: Vetmed Ucdavis Edu

Education:

1994 PhD Cell and Molecular Biology, Harvard University, Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology 2000 DVM, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, California

Hongwei Liu
Staff Research Associate III

Dr. Pedersen often mentions how he is blessed to have the most extraordinary research laboratory associate on the planet. Hongwei Liu received her M.Sc from China. She has been working in the field of molecular biology, virology, and immunology for the last 20 years. She has worked on numerous research projects with Dr. Pedersen and Dr. Pesavento over the years and is a vital contributor to FIP Research at UC Davis.