The University of Missouri will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the $30 million renovation and expansion of the MU College of Veterinary Medicine's Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (VMDL) at 1 p.m. Sept. 16
MU's VMDL performs more than 167,000 diagnostic tests annually to support Missouri's companion and agricultural animals, wildlife, and zoo animal conservation efforts. As a Level 1 Laboratory of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, the VMDL plays a major role in the early detection, testing and post-outbreaks of foreign and emerging animal diseases, including avian influenza, African swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease, rabies and chronic wasting disease.
The expanded and renovated facility will add 34,200 square feet to the existing building, including:
- Separate receiving areas and laboratories for routine, high-risk and foreign animal disease and biosecurity cases
- Separate laboratory spaces for clean materials and diseased or infected materials
- Space for client consultation
- An area for after-hours sample drop-offs
- Space for laboratory teaching and research
- ADA accessible entrances
Speakers at the groundbreaking will include:
- Mun Choi, president of the University of Missouri
- Latha Ramchand, provost of the University of Missouri
- Carolyn Henry, dean of MU College of Veterinary Medicine
- Kent Haden, Missouri House of Representatives (R-Mexico) and CVM Class of 1976
- Clark Fobian, former president of American Veterinary Medical Association and CVM Class of 1977
- Shuping Zhang, professor and director of the MU Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (VMDL)
Categories: Missouri, Education, Livestock, Beef Cattle