Jeff Bender, DVM, MS

I am a veterinarian and public health practitioner with 20 years of post-graduate experience, I have directed and collaborated on a broad range of research and surveillance projects pertaining to infectious and zoonotic diseases (i.e. influenza, foodborne diseases, antimicrobial resistant organism). My research is multidisciplinary, requiring collaborations with government, industry, and commodity organizations. This includes scientists in academia, NIH, Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Department of Natural Resources, and private industry. I also have served on policy-making bodies designing programs to address emerging issues in public health.

Some previous positions include: Director of the USAID funded One Health Workforce project focused on building capacity for detecting, responding and preventing emerging infectious diseases in SE Asia and Africa; Special Government Employee – FDA Science Advisory Board; Principle Investigator of the CDC funded Avian Influenza Cooperative Research Center.

An internationally recognized expert on diseases at the human-animal interface. Areas of expertise: Epidemiology, infection control and prevention, designing and evaluating surveillance programs, risk communication, and development of educational and outreach programs.

Working at the Interface of Human and Animal Health

• Zoonoses and Emerging Diseases
• Food Safety
• Antimicrobial Resistance
• Infectious Disease Surveillance
• Infection Prevention and Control
• Agricultural related injuries/illnesses

• CDC/NIOSH, Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center. Principal Investigator
• Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)/CDC, Antimicrobial Resistance Education. Principal Investigator
• 2016–2021, CDC, "Veterinary Healthcare Quality Improvement and Research Protocol Development and Implementation". Principal Investigator

View a full list of publications on Google Scholar