Dr. Akkerman earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and PhD degrees from North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1992 and 1998, respectively. She practiced small animal clinical medicine for six years before entering academic veterinary medicine.

In 2001, Dr. Akkerman joined North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine as an Assistant Professor of Anatomy, a position she held until 2015. During her tenure, her primary teaching responsibilities included veterinary anatomy and embryology for both small and large animal species within the DVM curriculum. In addition to her teaching roles, she contributed extensively to college service, including participation in curricular review and implementation initiatives, admissions, and diversity-related efforts.

In 2015, Dr. Akkerman was recruited to Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine as an Associate Professor, where she continues to teach anatomy. At OSU-CVM, she has played a significant role in modernizing anatomy instruction through the integration of new teaching technologies and the restructuring of the anatomy curriculum. She has also been deeply involved in curriculum governance and reform, serving as Chair of the Curriculum Committee from 2015 to 2023 and contributing to curricular review, development, and implementation of an outcomes-based curriculum.

From 2021 to 2025, Dr. Akkerman served as Director of the Clinical Skills Program, where she led the development, coordination, and assessment of key components of the newly implemented curriculum. Her professional interests center on teaching excellence, educational assessment, competency-based veterinary education, and the development and evaluation of clinical skills.

Dr. Aravindan is a Professor and Kerr Chair in the Department of Physiological Sciences within the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oklahoma State University. He has over 25 years of experience in Molecular Oncology and Radiation Biology/Oncology, including 20 years of experience in administration of multidisciplinary education, research, and training programs. Dr. Aravindan is the founding leader for the OSU’s comprehensive “All-of-Us Research & Education Program,” the entity that nurture research collaboration, productivity, mentorship and grantsmanship. Dr. Aravindan obtained his PhD degree in Microbiology from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India and earned his fellowship in Radiation Oncology from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio and, in Cancer Critical Care Medicine from UT-M.D. Anderson Cancer center, Houston, Tx. Dr. Aravindan research primarily focuses on fingerprinting molecular and cellular signaling in cancer as well in normal tissues and includes research in tumor evolution, molecular target discovery, and pre-clinical drug development. His laboratory develops original models for tumorigenesis and disease evolution, is actively involved in preclinical, bed-to-bench and translational studies. He has authored more than 90 peer-reviewed publications of original research, 220 peer-reviewed published abstracts, 100 scientific presentations and 50 plenary session / invited lectures. He works with undergraduate, college, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and faculty on a day-to-day basis, and have been principal advisor for many Ph.D. graduates and served on advisory committees for dozens more across multiple departments and disciplines. He is an active member of Cancer Biology Program in Oklahoma NCI-Designated Stephenson Cancer Center, and member of many international cancer and radiation research scientific communities. He has received numerous awards in recent years, including the Williams Company Foundation Presidential Professorship, Educators for Excellence award, Scientific Achievement Award to name a few. Dr. Aravindan also serves in innumerable federal, NIH, NCI, DOD, DMRDP; international, la Caix, NWO/ZonMw, FCT, OTKA and institutional scientific review panels. He is interested in translating research to improve One health. He is a keen supporter of One Medicine as his own work is fueled by the desire to create therapeutics that will eventually improve animal and human health.

Research Interests:

Some of the Dr. Aravindan’s research interests are: 1) acquired genetic modifications with therapy pressure; 2) development of molecular-targeted tumor targeted maintenance therapy; 3) bystander and abscopal effects of tumor radiotherapy; 4) cold tumors and mechanisms of tumor immune evasion; 5) space radiation carcinogenesis and cardiovascular complications.

Xufang Deng, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Virology in the Department of Physiological Sciences at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University. Dr. Deng's laboratory focuses on uncovering the fundamental biology of viral infections to guide the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies. His lab leads several active research programs, including studies on coronavirus (CoV) - host interaction, viral evasion of host immunity, vaccine and antiviral development, and SARS-CoV-2 evolution and risk assessment in wildlife. Dr. Deng’s team employs a range of classic virology, immunology, and molecular and cell biology techniques, as well as advanced tools such as reverse genetics, CRISPR-Cas, pseudotyped lentivirus, primary cell differentiation, and transgenic mouse models. Our work spans in vitro and in vivo experiments conducted in BSL2 and BSL3 facilities.

Research Interests:

(1) Virus-host interaction and viral antagonism of host immunity.

CoVs are the largest known RNA viruses that encode over 20 proteins necessary for viral replication and antagonizing the host antiviral immune system. Understanding the details of virus-host interaction and identifying key players involving these processes are crucial for discovering viral "achilles heel" as antiviral targets. We previously reported that the CoV non-structural protein 15 (Nsp15), a viral endoribonuclease, is an essential factor in antagonizing the host dsRNA antiviral signaling. We currently attempt to reveal the role of Nsp15 in the pathogenesis and tissue tropism of SARS-CoV-2. 

(2) Rational design of live-attenuated vaccines against enteric porcine coronavirus diseases 

Six porcine coronaviruses (CoVs) have been discovered to date, four of which - TGEV, PEDV, PDCoV, and the recently emerged, bat-origin SADS-CoV - can cause severe enteric diseases in piglets. These CoVs pose significant threats to the pork industry, yet effective vaccines remain unavailable. Our research aims to understand the molecular pathogenesis of enteric CoVs and leverage this knowledge for rational vaccine design. Our current research focuses on decoding the hierarchical antagonism mechanisms of porcine CoVs and developing a generalizable approach to creating genetically modified live-attenuated vaccine prototypes. We primarily use reverse genetic systems, in vitro and in vivo animal models, and CRISPR-Cas9 technology to achieve these goals.

(3) Development and evaluation of CoV protease inhibitors as antivirals

All CoVs encode two essential proteases, papain-like protease, and 3C-like protease, which play crucial roles in the viral life cycle and are primary targets for direct-acting antiviral development. In collaboration with medicinal chemistry and protein structure teams at Rutgers University, we have an active research program aimed at developing and evaluating protease inhibitors as antiviral candidates against SARS-CoV-2. Using in vitro cell culture and in vivo mouse models with live viral infection under BSL-3/ABSL-3 conditions, we have identified small-molecule compounds with potent oral efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, we are investigating viral drug resistance to clinically approved drugs and preclinical candidates to pinpoint mutational hotspots, guiding the design of next-generation antivirals.

(4) Transmission and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in wild and zoo animals

SARS-CoV-2 is capable of infecting various animal species and continues to evolve and adapt to new hosts. This raises a significant risk of novel animal-derived SARS-CoV-2 variants spilling back into the human population, potentially leading to outbreaks due to limited human immunity against these new variants. This collaborative project, in partnership with the diagnostic team at UIUC, aims to monitor the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in wild and zoo animals and assess the risk of these variants spilling over to humans. We use ARTIC-Amplicon sequencing to identify emerging variants and a spike-pseudotyped lentiviral system as a surrogate to evaluate the infectivity and immune escape potential of these variants.

Dr. Frisbee completed his PhD in Biophysics (Physiology) from the University of Guelph, followed by postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Washington and the Medical College of Wisconsin.  After time as an Assistant Professor of Physiology at MCW, Dr. Frisbee was recruited to the West Virginia University Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, ultimately becoming the Director of the Center for Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences and the Clinical and Translational Sciences Doctoral Program.  Most recently, Jeff was Ting-Yim Lee Chair for the Department of Medical Biophysics at the University of Western Ontario.  Jeff has held multiple positions for grant and manuscript peer-review processes, and his research focusses on the multi-scale regulation of perfusion in the skeletal muscle and cerebral microcirculation under diverse conditions of elevated vascular disease risk.

Dr. Lacombe is a (Full) Professor in the Department of Physiological Sciences at Oklahoma State University.

She earned her DVM degree from the National Veterinary School of Maisons-Alfort near Paris, France. After completing a residency in large animal internal medicine at the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, she earned her PhD and then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Ohio State’s College of Pharmacy. Prior to joining the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oklahoma State University, Dr. Lacombe was a Research Assistant Professor at the Ohio State’s College of Pharmacy. Dr. Lacombe is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Large Animal) and a Diplomate of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine. She is the Director of the Comparative Metabolism Research Laboratory.

https://vetmed.okstate.edu/research/comparative-metabolism-lab/

Lin Liu, Ph.D., FAPS, received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and completed his postdoctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania. He began his academic career as a faculty member at East Carolina University before joining the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine as Associate Professor of Physiological Sciences. Dr. Liu was subsequently promoted to Full Professor and appointed as Lundberg-Kienlen Endowed Professor/Chair in Biomedical Research and a Regents Professor. He was also selected as a Riata Faculty Fellow in the OSU School of Entrepreneurship and elected as a Fellow of the American Physiological Society.

Dr. Liu is the Founding Director of the Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious Diseases and the Interdisciplinary Program in Regenerative Medicine at OSU. He also leads the Lung Diseases and Infection Laboratory. Over the years, Dr. Liu has developed a nationally recognized research program focused on respiratory and infectious diseases. His current research interests include host-respiratory pathogen interactions (e.g. SARS-CoV-2, influenza virus, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis); the pathogenesis of pulmonary diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD); and stem cell-based therapy and human tissue engineering. As Principal Investigator, Dr. Liu has secured over $48 million in grant funding (as December 2024) from federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, foundations including American Heart Association and March of Dimes, and various local organizations.

Dr. Liu has contributed extensively to the scientific community, serving on NIH and other grant review panels and chairing the OSU Biomedical Sciences Group of the Graduate Faculty Council. He has also been a member of the Steering Committee for the Physiological Genomics Interest Group of the American Physiological Society. A dedicated mentor, Dr. Liu has a distinguished record of training and mentoring early-career scientists. His achievements have been recognized with numerous awards including the Pfizer Award for Research Excellence and the OSU Regents Distinguished Research Award.

Research Interests

Our research programs aim to understand the pathogenesis of respiratory and infectious diseases and to develop diagnostic tools and therapeutics for these conditions. The diseases we study include non-infectious conditions such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), as well as infectious diseases like influenza, COVID-19 and tuberculosis. 

Our research projects are organized into 3 interrelated areas: respiratory infection, pathogenesis of pulmonary diseases, and stem cell therapy and tissue engineering. The work in our laboratory spans multiple levels from gene-level studies to whole-animal models. Key techniques employed include bulk and single cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, genome-wide CRISPR library screen, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, RNA interference, real-time PCR, cloning, biochemical, molecular and cellular techniques, and various animal models.

1. Host-pathogen Interactions during Respiratory Infection

Respiratory Viral Infection

Respiratory infections are among the most prevalent disease burdens worldwide and are recognized as a critical public health priority. Influenza virus causes annual epidemics and periodic pandemics, resulting in millions of deaths. The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused hundreds of million infections and several million fatalities globally. The high mutation rate of respiratory viruses presents a significant challenge, as it often leads to widespread resistance to antiviral drugs viral proteins.

To address this, our research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms by which host factors regulate influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 replication. By targeting these host factors, we aim to develop antiviral drugs that circumvent mutagenesis-associated viral escape.    

•  Non-coding RNAs in respiratory infection. We are particularly interested in the roles of non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs, circular RNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in respiratory infections. MicroRNAs (~21-23 nucleotides) and lncRNAs (>200 nucleotides) are increasingly recognized for their roles in regulating various biological processes and diseases. MicroRNAs predominantly control gene expression at the post-transcriptional level while lncRNAs regulate gene expression through interactions with RNA, DNA and proteins, influencing processes such as transcription, splicing, mRNA stability, and translation. Our approaches include target gene identification using expression library screening, genome-wide CRISPR library screening, and transcriptome analysis integrated with computational methods, followed by functional, mechanistic, and animal studies.       
•  Targeting cellular signaling pathways for antiviral therapeutics. We are also exploring critical components in cellular signaling pathways as potential therapeutic targets. A key focus is on ADP-ribosylation, a post-translational modification that plays a crucial role in cellular processes and NAD metabolomes. We identify lead compounds targeting these pathways and evaluate their mechanisms of action. Additional studies include assessing efficacy in animal models, toxicity and safety profiles, and pharmacokinetics with an ultimate goal of Investigational New Drug (IND) applications   
•  Post COVID-19 lung injury and fibrosis. Our recent work investigates the contribution of trained innate immunity, epigenetic modifications, and lung stem cells to post COVID-19 lung injury and fibrosis. This research aims to uncover mechanisms underlying long-term complications of COVID-19 and identify novel therapeutic strategies.

Respiratory Bacterial Infection 

Tuberculosis remains a major global challenge, with nearly 10 million active cases and 1.4 million deaths annually. Our research focuses on understanding the host-pathogen interactions in TB and developing innovative therapeutic strategies.

•  Anti-lncRNAs in tuberculosis. In collaboration with Dr. Yong Cheng in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at OSU, this project aims to identify anti-lncRNAs that counteract Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) infection. Using a genome-wide CRISPR activation screen, we seek to uncover lncRNAs with therapeutic potential and develop them as host-directed therapies for TB. We are also investigating the interaction between circular RNAs and M. tb.
•  ADP ribosylation in host-M. tb interaction. This project explores the role of ADP ribosylation in modulating the interaction between host and M. tb.
•  Iron metabolism and immunometabolism. We study the connection between iron metabolism, immunometabolism, and M. tb infection.     
•  Post-TB lung diseases. This project focuses on the long-term consequences of TB, particularly post-TB pulmonary fibrosis. 

2. Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Diseases

Our research in this area addresses several critical lung diseases, including Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)/Acute Lung injury (ALI), Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD). One of our current focuses is IPF. IPF is a chronic interstitial fibrotic lung disease affecting 200,000 Americans annually, with a median survival of 3-5 years from diagnosis. Lung tissue scarring (fibrosis) impairs oxygen transmission to the blood and other organs, often leading to respiratory failure. The disease predominantly affects adults aged 50 to 70 years. Although the FDA has recently approved two drugs, pirfenidone and nintedanib to slow the decline in lung function, these treatments do not cure the disease. Effective curative therapies for IPF remain unavailable. 

The pathological hallmark of IPF is the formation of fibroblastic foci – clusters of activated and proliferating fibroblasts (myofibroblasts) that deposit excessive extracellular matrix, leading to pulmonary fibrosis. The proliferation and activation of resident fibroblasts are considered the major contributors to IPF pathogenesis. Our projects investigate the following key aspects of IPF.

•  Non-coding RNAs and cellular signaling. We explore the regulatory roles of microRNAs, circular RNAs and long non-coding RNAs in lung fibroblast cellular signaling pathways.
•  Iron and IPF. We investigate the contribution of iron metabolism to the progression of pulmonary fibrosis.
•  Ferroptosis in epithelial cells. We examine the role of ferroptosis (iron-dependent cell death) in lung epithelial cells and its contribution to IPF pathology.
•  Lymphatic vessels in IPF. We study the involvement of lymphatic vessels in IPF progression and their potential as therapeutic targets.

3. Stem Cell Therapy and Tissue Engineering

Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell-based therapy and tissue engineering hold immense potential for repairing or regenerating damaged lung tissue, offering promising approaches to treat and potentially cure lung diseases. Various types of stem cells, including embryonic stem cells (ESCs), bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), can be employed for these purposes.

Our research in stem cell therapy focuses on engineering MSCs and iPSCs to improve treatment outcomes for lung diseases. Epithelial cell damage is a common feature in many pulmonary diseases such as IPF, COPD, ARDS and influenza or bacterial pneumonia. Our objectives are twofold:

•  Enhancing alveolar epithelial repair by promoting the differentiation of MSCs or iPSC into alveolar epithelial cells and stimulating endogenous stem cells within the lung to regenerate epithelial cells.     
•  Reversing pathological process through modulating the stem cell secretome and exosome-mediated transfer of therapeutic molecules from stem cells to lung cells to mitigate fibrosis, inflammation, and viral or bacterial replication

Tissue Engineering

We aim to advance tissue engineering to build human lung tissue models for translation research. Current investigations often rely on 2D cell cultures and mouse models, which fail to adequately replicate human lung physiology and pathology. This limitation hinders translational research and contributes to the high failure rate of drug candidates in clinical trials.

Our goal is to create renewable, patient-specific 3D human lung tissue models using iPSCs- or MSCs-derived lung cells. These tissue-engineered models can accurately mimic normal and diseased human lung tissue, serve as platforms for mechanistic and translational studies, facilitate the testing of drug safety and efficacy and enable high-throughput screening of therapeutic candidates.

LAB MEMBERS

Lin Liu. Ph.D., FAPS., Regents Professor, Lundberg-Kienlen Endowed Chair and Director

Chaoqun Huang, Ph.D., M.D.,Research Associate Professor

Yurong Liang, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor and Lab Manager

Kishore Vaddadi, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor

Rajakumar Thangarasu, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow

Firoz Ahmed, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow

Quanjin Dang, Ph.D. student 

Akshaya Surendran, Ph.D. student

Keerthana Santhosh, Ph.D. student

Prince Jhandai, Ph.D. student

Adam Soriano, Ph.D. student

Elizabeth Varghese, Ph.D. student

Nazmul Haque, Ph.D. student

Dharanya Muthiah, Ph.D. student

Pavan Nagdev, Ph.D. student

Dr. Ranabir Majumder is a distinguished Structural Bioinformatician and research scholar who earned his Ph.D. from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur under the supervision of Prof. Mahitosh Mandal.  He is currently a Post-doctoral Fellow in the Structural Biology and Genomics Lab (Prof. David W. Ussery), Dept. of Physiological Sciences at Oklahoma State University. Specializing in Cancer Biology & Drug Discovery, Dr. Majumder focuses on the intersection of Pharmacy and Biomedical Engineering, with a particular emphasis on uncovering the anticancer and chemoresistance properties in cancer treatment. His multidisciplinary approach integrates advanced computational techniques with experimental methodologies to advance the understanding and development of novel therapeutic agents.

Dr. Majumder’s research is dedicated to elucidating the anticancer potential of phytochemicals, with a primary focus on breast cancer. His work employs a comprehensive blend of in-silico, in-vitro, and in-vivo techniques to investigate the mechanisms of action of potential anticancer agents. His expertise includes:

• In-Silico Methodologies: Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamics Simulation, Quasi-Anharmonic Analysis, QM/MM Simulation, and Binding Energy Calculation to model and predict molecular interactions.
• In-Vitro Techniques: Cell culture, MTT assays, Western Blot, and fluorescence microscopy to validate computational findings and assess cellular responses.
• In-Vivo Studies: Translating laboratory discoveries into potential real-world applications through rigorous animal model studies.

Dr. Majumder’s research bridges computational and experimental domains, aiming to develop innovative strategies for cancer prevention and treatment. His work is grounded in a commitment to advancing biomedical engineering, cancer research, pharmacy, and bioinformatics, with the ultimate goal of improving therapeutic outcomes for breast cancer patients.

Dr. Danny Maples, Ph.D. is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiological Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oklahoma State University. His primary work, through collaboration with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), involves supporting the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) and BioWatch programs.  In this role, he provides training, exercise support, and subject matter expertise to military personnel and first responders.

Biographical Statement:

I was born and raised in Karur, a small town in Tamil Nadu, the southernmost state of India. I earned my Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Eq. to DVM) from Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai in 2006. After completing my bachelor’s, I briefly worked as a research associate at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, South Korea in 2007. I pursued my Ph.D. from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University, Michigan in 2011. After finishing my postdoctoral training at Wayne State University in 2014, I worked as a Lecturer at the School of Veterinary Medicine at University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison until 2017. Later, I joined as an Assistant Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma. I got my tenure and promoted to an Associate Professor in 2023.

Research Statement:
The overarching goal of the research in my lab is to understand glial (microglia vs astrocytes) mechanisms behind obesity-induced hypertension. In high fat diet-induced obesity, it has been observed that sympathetic nervous system (a part of the autonomic nervous system) is chronically overactive and has been linked to the development of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and heart diseases. We are targeting a number of different pathways that could be involved in mediating sympathetic overactivity namely, 1) cellular senescence (a state of irreversible growth arrest in cells, 2) dysregulation of Nrf2, a master transcriptional regulator of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways and 3) GLP1 signaling in the brain in obesity. The projects in our laboratory are funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), American Heart Association (AHA), and Oklahoma Center for Adult Stem Cell Research (OCASCR).

David Ussery is a professor in the department of Physiological Sciences at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University. He was born and raised in Springdale, Arkansas. He has been working with bioinformatic analysis of bacterial genomes since the first sequence was published in 1995. He lives his life vicariously through his Ph.D. students. Most of his papers have Ph.D. students as first authors; he has published seven papers that have been cited more than a thousand times, and more than a hundred papers that have been cited at least 10 times in the past five years. He led the Arkansas Center for Genomic Epidemiology and Medicine at the University of Arkansas, from 2016 through 2025. In December of 2021, his group sequenced the first Covid-19 Omicron variant in Arkansas, and has worked on developing methods for monitoring wastewater for pathogens. Dr. Ussery taught several graduate courses in the UAMS Department of BioMedical Informatics. More than 30 one-week “Comparative Genomics” workshops have been held in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. DU has collaborative projects with groups in the UK, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands, France, and Spain as well as in the U.S. Before joining UAMS in 2016, Dr. Ussery was the Comparative Genomics Group Leader at Oak Ridge National Labs, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee (2013-2016). He led the Comparative Microbial Genomics group at The Technical University of Denmark from 1997 – 2014, where he has successfully supervised many Ph.D. students in bioinformatics. Dr. Ussery received a doctorate in Molecular Biology in 1993 from The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and did a post-doctoral fellowship at Oxford University (1992-1996). He earned his master’s degree in biophysical chemistry at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque in 1986. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from William Jewell College (Liberty, Missouri) in 1982, and graduated from Springdale High School (Springdale, Arkansas) in 1978.