A 2-year MSc position is available in the Department of Pathobiology commencing May 1 or September 1, 2021. The MSc research project will involve conducting a series of challenge trials in the OVC Animal Isolation Facility to optimize an infection model for post-weaning E. coll diarrhea.
The research project will include animal work (eg. animal trials, sample collection from live pigs and during postmortem), as well as laboratory work (eg RFLP-PCR, bacteriology), analysis of clinical and laboratory data collected during the trial, and use of epidemiological methods to analyze data.
Experience with animal handling/animal management will be considered an asset, as will previous experience with laboratory work.
Specifically, the association of genetic factor, age of pigs, and infectious dosage with severity of diarrhea, bacterial shedding, and histology lesions in pigs challenged with enterotoxigenic E. coli will be investigated.
The optimized infection model will then be used to study the effect of alternative method (Ex. probiotics) on post weaning E. coll diarrhea.
Established in 1964, University of Guelph is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large town of Guelph (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Ontario. This institution has also branch campuses in the following location(s): Ridgetown, Kemptville. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, Ontario, University of Guelph (U of G) is a large (uniRank enrollment range: 20,000-24,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. University of Guelph (U of G) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation degrees), bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 55 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic record and grades. The admission rate range is 70-80% making this Canadian higher education organization a somewhat selective institution. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.