The center was created in 1984 to promote interdisciplinary activities designed to improve the quality of human life through better animal health; expand livestock disease research capabilities; identify and characterize animal diseases that are similar to human disease; and develop new strategies for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.
The center has developed investigative strengths in two general areas:
- Animal Models and Comparative Medicine
- Mechanisms of Disease, Pathogenesis, and Immunity
These areas are each highly interrelated, and the center plays a critical role in developing these focused areas of strength in both the UTCVM and the Institute of Agriculture.​​
