Introducing Dr. Alex Moskaluk: Veterinary Bacteriologist and Mycologist
With a PhD in microbiology from Colorado State University, Moskaluk's research focuses on advancing medical mycology and understanding host-pathogen interactions within the One Health framework.
“I’m excited to join OVC’s Department of Pathobiology as it is well known for its collaborative and impactful research in veterinary medicine. I hope to continue investigating fungal infections afflicting both veterinary and human patients,” says Moskaluk.
Throughout her career, Moskaluk spearheaded research aimed at developing novel clinical diagnostics and therapeutic interventions. Her work on zoonotic fungal infections, particularly dermatophytosis (e.g., ringworm) which spreads easily from cats to humans and serves as an excellent model for infections in children, has been widely recognized. Additionally, her research on Aspergillus, which infects both humans and animals causing similar disease presentations, and metabolic-based diagnostic assays has gained significant recognition. She has secured over $400,000 in research funding, including grants from the National Institute of Health and the Morris Animal Foundation.
"It’s very exciting for us to have Dr. Moskaluk joining our department!" says Dr. Brandon Lillie, Chair, Department of Pathobiology. "Her research in fungal pathogens brings a new dimension to our research in the area of veterinary infectious diseases that currently has people also working in bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Additionally, her diagnostic and clinical microbiology knowledge will be a huge benefit to our DVM students, as it will allow them to get very clinically relevant bacteriology and mycology teaching starting in Phase 2 and going right up to Phase 4 with the clinical microbiology parts of the Diagnostic Pathology rotation, which is a core rotation for all final-year DVM students."
Beyond her research, Moskaluk is dedicated to educating the next generation of veterinary professionals. With a hands-on approach and a commitment to inclusivity, she aims to inspire her students to excel in both academia and beyond. She connects course material to clinical cases, helping students understand the "why" behind concepts, while incorporating active learning approaches, such as polling and flipped classrooms, to gauge and enhance student learning. Additionally, she engages guest speakers from underrepresented backgrounds to expose students to diverse voices in science.
