Ben Curtis

Dr. Ben Curtis is a graduate student and former resident in the Veterinary Anatomic Pathology program. During his training at Michigan State Veterinary School he developed a passion for the field of pathology, infectious disease research, and vaccine and diagnostic development which brought him to CSU and the Dean Lab. As PhD candidate in the MIP program his work is primarily focused on feline coronaviruses. Currently he is working to develop an oral vaccine to Feline Enteric Coronavirus (FECV) in the hopes that reduction or elimination of FECV viral loads will prevent the emergence of the deadly viral mutant Feline Infectious Peritonitis virus (FIP). In addition to vaccine development Dr. Curtis is working on a blood-based diagnostic test that aims to aid clinicians in diagnosing FIP by giving them a more accurate, faster, and less invasive test than is currently available. When not in the lab Ben like to go for bike rides with his wife and 3 year-old son, take his dogs for walks, practice carpentry, or visit local climbing gyms.