McKenna selected to head veterinary diagnostic lab

Thomas McKenna, an animal disease expert with 12 years experience dealing with the implications of livestock diseases at the national and international level, has been chosen to head the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

“Tom is a skilled scientist known internationally for his expertise in animal health matters and has a strong background in laboratory administration along with the ability to handle complex issues,” says Darrell Bazzell, University of Wisconsin–Madison vice chancellor for administration.

McKenna is currently laboratory director for the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Plum Island, N.Y., where he has worked in various positions since 1995.

“We are highly impressed with Tom’s leadership skills, his scientific credentials and his ability to manage a resource that is vitally important to Wisconsin citizens,” says Daryl Buss, dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine, where McKenna will also hold a clinical appointment.

In his position at the Plum Island facility, McKenna oversees the diagnosis of exotic livestock diseases, coordinates the treatment and testing for imported livestock and animal product and trains veterinarians in the recognition and diagnosis of foreign animal diseases. He oversees a budget of $3 million, manages 40 staff members and also supervises the North American Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine Bank.

“There is a tremendous momentum at the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, with a new facility, a talented and committed staff and its activity with the National Animal Health Lab Network,” McKenna says. “The stars are all aligned for this to continue to be one of the best labs in the country.”

McKenna arrives at an important moment in the lab’s history. Late last year, officials opened a new 78,000-square-foot headquarters on campus, including a self-contained Biological Safety Level 3 laboratory where work with infectious organisms can be performed.

“The lab’s new location next to the veterinary school is ideal and the collaborative opportunities between the lab and the University of Wisconsin–Madison are unparalleled,” McKenna says. “I’m thrilled to have this opportunity.”

McKenna possesses a bachelor’s degree in business and economics from Lehigh University, a bachelor’s in biological science from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, a veterinary medicine degree and a doctorate in microbiology from the University of California-Davis.

The Wisconsin laboratory provides routine testing on different animal species in Wisconsin and also monitors outbreaks that affect animal and human welfare, such as the avian influenza virus, the recent equine herpes virus and chronic wasting disease.

Since the 9/11 attacks, the lab has also aided in the examination of potential bioterrorism threats, partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Buss says the lab is a crucial component in Wisconsin’s animal health infrastructure, since many of the diseases that the facility evaluates affect the state’s livestock, its agribusiness economy and the health of Wisconsin’s wildlife.

McKenna plans to begin work in mid-March, and will receive an annual salary of $165,000.