Major Research Interests:

Equine epidemiology: surveys and observational studies of outcomes of management practices and factors associated with health, performance, profitability and environmental impact.

Equine parasitology: gastrointestinal parasites of horses, particularly Parascaris equorum, and non-pharmacological control of parasites.

Assessment of student learning and factors associated with student success.

Current position:

2013 - present:  Assoicate Professor, University of Kentucky
80% teaching, 20% research

7/07 – 2013: Assistant Professor, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky.
70% teaching, 30% research.

Courses taught:

• ASC 320 Equine Management, lecture and laboratory
• ASC 320, Section 201, Introduction to Equine Management, online version through Distance Learning Programs (Fall and Spring semesters)
• EQM 105 Horse Behavior and Handling
• ASC 101 Domestic Animal Biology
• ASC 333 Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in the Animal and Food Sciences
• GEN 109 Horse Behavior and Handling
• Co-instructor for ASC 101 Domestic Animal Biology

Previous professional positions:

12/04 – 7/07: Project Director, FINS study (Effects of organochlorines on male infertility), Department of Epidemiology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University. Manager of a multi-center NIH-funded study on the effects of environmental contaminants on male fertility.

4/04 – 11/04: Postdoctoral Fellow at the Comparative Enteric Disease Laboratory, Michigan State University, under the direction of Dr. Linda Mansfield.

2/00- 12/03: Graduate Assistant at the Population Medicine Center, Michigan State University. Designed and implemented a controlled field intervention study and an experimental infection study of the effect of daily pyrantel tartrate in preventing infection with Sarcocystis neurona (the causative agent of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM)).

1/98- 2/00: Parasitology Research Aid, Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Michigan State University. Worked on development of new western blot antibody test for EPM and performed daily clinical testing.

1995-97: Graduate Assistant at the Population Medicine Center, Michigan State University. Designed and implemented a cross-sectional survey study of health problems in U.S. dressage horses. Designed and implemented an extensive cross-sectional study of anti-S. neurona antibody seroprevalence in Michigan equids. 

Patents

2000 Immunoassay for equine protozoal myeloencephalitis in horses. Linda S. Mansfield, Alice J. Murphy,Mary G. Rossano. U.S. patent number 6,153,394.

2002 Antigen test to detect equine protozoal myeloencephalitis in horse serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Linda S. Mansfield, Mary G. Rossano, Alice J. Murphy, Ruth A. Vrable. U.S. patent number 6,344,337

2002 Immunoassay for equine protozoal myeloencephalitis in horses. Linda S. Mansfield, Alice J. Murphy,Mary G. Rossano. US patent number 6,489,148.

Professional Advisory and Review Activities

January, 2006-2016 Veterinary Parasitology, Editorial Advisory Board

2003-present Journal of Parasitology ad hoc reviewer

2002-2006 Veterinary Parasitology ad hoc reviewer

2002 USDA Animal Health Formula Funds grant reviewer

Awards

2016: Runner up for the Ken Freedman Outstanding Advisor Award
 
2015: Nominated for the Ken Freedman Outstanding Advisor Award
 
2014: A Teacher Who Made a Difference Award

Refereed Publications

SV Burk, S Dangoudoubiyam, T Brewster-Barnes, DK Howe, CN Carter, UK Bryant, and MG Rossano.  Equine antibody response to Parascaris equorum excretory-secretory products.  In press, Veterinary Parasitology.

Steffanie V. Burk, Sriveny Dangoudoubiyam, Tammy Brewster-Barnes, Uneeda K. Bryant, Eric S. Vanzant, Daniel K. Howe, Craig N. Carter, Robert J. Harmon, Kevin R. Kazacos, and Mary G. Rossano.  In vitro culture and initial investigation of Parascaris equorum excretory-secretory antigens. Parasitology Research. Nov 2014.  113:4217-4224.  doi: 10.1007/s00436-014-4097-0

Rossano, Mary G; Burk, Steffanie V. Factors Associated with Student Performance in an Equine Management Course.  NACTA Journal 57.2 (Jun 2013): 11-15.

Steffanie V. Burk, Mary G. Rossano, William J. Silvia, Eric S. Vanzant, Anthony J. Pescatore and Robert J. Harmon.  Factors Associated with Course Withdrawal and Final Course Grade in an Introductory Animal Science Course.  NACTA Journal 57.2 (Jun 2013): 16-23.

Gould JC, Rossano MG, Lawrence LM, Burk SV, Ennis RB, Lyons ET.  The effects of windrow composting on the viability of Parascaris equorum eggs.  Vet Parasitol. 2013 Jan 16;191(1-2):73-80. doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.08.017.

Burk, S., M. Rossano, E. Vanzant, W. Silvia, and R. Harmon. 2011. Developing an assessment plan in an animal science department. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 31: 347-348.

Rossano, M.G., A.R. Smith, and E.T. Lyons. Shortened stronglye-type egg reappearance periods in naturally infected horses treated with moxidectin and failure of a larvicidal dose of fenbendazole to reduce fecal egg counts. Veterinary Parasitology 2010. Oct. 29;173(3-4):349-52.

Lyons, E.T., S.C. Tolliver, S.S. Collins, M. Ionita, T.A. Kuzmina, M. Rossano. Field tests demonstrating reduced activity of ivermectin and moxidectin against small strongyles in horses on 14 farms in Central Kentucky in 2007-2009. Parasitology Research 2010. Sept 23. [Epub ahead of print]

Messaros, B.M., M.G. Rossano, G. Liu, M.P. Diamond, K. Friderici, K. Nummy-Jernigan, D. Daly, E. Puscheck, N. Paneth, and J.J. Wirth. Negative effects of serum p,p'-DDE on sperm parameters and modification by genetic polymorphisms. Environmental Research 109(4):457-64. 2009.

Meeker, J.D., M.G. Rossano, B. Protas, M.P. Diamond, E. Puscheck, D. Daly, N. Paneth, and J.J. Wirth. Multiple metals predict prolactin and thyrotropin (TSH) levels in men. Environmental Research 109(7):869-73. 2009.

Wirth, J.J., M.G. Rossano, A.M. Calafat, R. Potter, E. Puscheck, D.C. Daly, N. Paneth, S.A. Krawetz, B.M. Protas, and M.P. Diamond. A pilot study associating urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites and semen. Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine 54:143-154. 2008.

Ramamoorthi, R.V., M.G. Rossano, N. Paneth, J.C. Gardiner, M.P. Diamond, E. Puscheck, D.C. Daly, R.C. Potter, J.J. Wirth. An application of multivariate ranks to assess effects from combining factors: metal exposures and semen analysis outcomes. Statistics in Medicine 27:3503-3514. 2008

Meeker, J.D., M.G. Rossano, B. Protas, M.P. Diamond, E. Puscheck, D. Daly, N. Paneth, J.J. Wirth. Cadmium, Lead and Other Metals in Relation to Semen Quality: Human Evidence for Molybdenum as a Male Reproductive Toxicant. Environmental Health Perspectives 116:1473-9. 2008.

Mansfield, L.S., S. Mehler, K. Nelson, H.M. Elsheikha, A.J. Murphy, B. Knust, S.M. Tanhauser, P.M. Gearhart, M.G. Rossano, D.D. Bowman, H.C. Schott , J.S. Patterson. Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) harbor Sarcocystis neurona and may act as intermediate hosts. Veterinary Parasitology 153:24-43. 2008.

Ramamoorthi R V, Rossano MG, Paneth N, Gardiner JC, Diamond MP, Puscheck E, Daly DC, Potter RC, Wirth, JJ. An application of multivariate ranks to assess effects from combining factors: metal exposures and semen analysis outcomes. In press, Statistics in Medicine.

L. S. Mansfield, S. Mehler, K. Nelson, H.M. Elsheikha, A.J. Murphy, B. Knust, S.M. Tanhauser, P.M. Gearhart, M.G. Rossano, D.D. Bowman, H.C. Schott , J.S. Patterson. Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) harbor Sarcocystis neurona and may act as intermediate hosts. In press, Veterinary Parasitology.

Rossano, M.G., A.R. Smith, and E.T. Lyons. Shortened stronglye-type egg reappearance periods in naturally infected horses treated with moxidectin and failure of a larvicidal dose of fenbendazole to reduce fecal egg counts. Veterinary Parasitology 2010. Oct. 29;173(3-4):349-52.

Lyons, E.T., S.C. Tolliver, S.S. Collins, M. Ionita, T.A. Kuzmina, M. Rossano. Field tests demonstrating reduced activity of ivermectin and moxidectin against small strongyles in horses on 14 farms in Central Kentucky in 2007-2009. Parasitology Research 2010. Sept 23. [Epub ahead of print]

Messaros, B.M., M.G. Rossano, G. Liu, M.P. Diamond, K. Friderici, K. Nummy-Jernigan, D. Daly, E. Puscheck, N. Paneth, and J.J. Wirth. Negative effects of serum p,p'-DDE on sperm parameters and modification by genetic polymorphisms. Environmental Research 109(4):457-64. 2009.
  
Meeker, J.D., M.G. Rossano, B. Protas, M.P. Diamond, E. Puscheck, D. Daly, N. Paneth, and J.J. Wirth. Multiple metals predict prolactin and thyrotropin (TSH) levels in men. Environmental Research 109(7):869-73. 2009.
  
Wirth, J.J., M.G. Rossano, A.M. Calafat, R. Potter, E. Puscheck, D.C. Daly, N. Paneth, S.A. Krawetz, B.M. Protas, and M.P. Diamond. A pilot study associating urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites and semen. Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine 54:143-154. 2008.
  
Ramamoorthi, R.V., M.G. Rossano, N. Paneth, J.C. Gardiner, M.P. Diamond, E. Puscheck, D.C. Daly, R.C. Potter, J.J. Wirth. An application of multivariate ranks to assess effects from combining factors: metal exposures and semen analysis outcomes. Statistics in Medicine 27:3503-3514. 2008
  
Meeker, J.D., M.G. Rossano, B. Protas, M.P. Diamond, E. Puscheck, D. Daly, N. Paneth, J.J. Wirth. Cadmium, Lead and Other Metals in Relation to Semen Quality: Human Evidence for Molybdenum as a Male Reproductive Toxicant. Environmental Health Perspectives 116:1473-9. 2008.
  
Mansfield, L.S., S. Mehler, K. Nelson, H.M. Elsheikha, A.J. Murphy, B. Knust, S.M. Tanhauser, P.M. Gearhart, M.G. Rossano, D.D. Bowman, H.C. Schott , J.S. Patterson. Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) harbor Sarcocystis neurona and may act as intermediate hosts. Veterinary Parasitology 153:24-43. 2008.
  
Ramamoorthi RV, Rossano MG, Paneth N, Gardiner JC, Diamond MP, Puscheck E, Daly DC, Potter RC, Wirth, JJ. An application of multivariate ranks to assess effects from combining factors: metal exposures and semen analysis outcomes. In press, Statistics in Medicine..
  
L. S. Mansfield, S. Mehler, K. Nelson, H.M. Elsheikha, A.J. Murphy, B. Knust, S.M. Tanhauser, P.M. Gearhart, M.G. Rossano, D.D. Bowman, H.C. Schott , J.S. Patterson. Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) harbor Sarcocystis neurona and may act as intermediate hosts. In press, Veterinary Parasitology.
  
Ramamoorthi RV, Rossano MG, Paneth N, Gardiner JC, Diamond MP, Puscheck E, Daly DC, Potter RC, Wirth, JJ. An application of multivariate ranks to assess effects from combining factors: metal exposures and semen analysis outcomes. In press, Statistics in Medicine.

L. S. Mansfield, S. Mehler, K. Nelson, H.M. Elsheikha, A.J. Murphy, B. Knust, S.M. Tanhauser, P.M. Gearhart, M.G. Rossano, D.D. Bowman, H.C. Schott , J.S. Patterson. Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) harbor Sarcocystis neurona and may act as intermediate hosts. In press, Veterinary Parasitology.

Julia J. Wirth, Mary G. Rossano, Douglas C. Daly, Nigel Paneth, Elizabeth Puscheck, Rachel C. Potter, Michael P. Diamond. Ambient manganese exposure is negatively associated with human sperm motility. Epidemiology. 2007. 18:270-273.

Thomas Mullaney, Alice J. Murphy, Matti Kiupel, Julia A. Bell, Mary G. Rossano and Linda S. Mansfield. Evidence to support horses as natural intermediate hosts to Sarcocystis neurona. Vet Parasitol. 2005. 133:27-36.

Rossano MG, Schott II HC, Kaneene JB, Murphy AJ, Kruttlin EA, Hines MT, Sellon DC, Patterson JS, Elsheikha HM, Dubey JP, Mansfield LS. Effect of daily pyrantel tartrate in preventing Sarcocystis neurona infection in experimentally challenged horses. Am J Vet Res. 2005. 66:846-852.

Rossano MG, Schott II HC, Murphy AJ, Kaneene JB, Sellon DC, Hines MT, Hochstatter T, Bell J, Mansfield LS. Parasitemia in an immunocompetent horse experimentally challenged with Sarcocystis neurona sporocysts. Vet Parasitol. 2005. 127:3-8.

Porter MB, Long M, Gosche DG, Schott HM 2nd, Hines MT, Rossano M, Sellon DC. Immunoglobulin M-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay testing of cerebrospinal fluid and serum from horses exposed to West Nile virus by vaccination or natural infection. J Vet Intern Med. 2004. 18:866-70.

Rossano MG, Kaneene JB, Schott II HC, Sheline KD, Mansfield LS. Assessing the agreement of western blot antibody test results of paired serum and cerebrospinal fluid samples from horses tested for Sarcocystis neurona infection. Vet Parasitol. 2003. 115:233-238.

Rossano MG, Kaneene JB, Marteniuk JV, BanksBD, Schott II HC, Mansfield LS. A herd-level analysis of risk factors for antibodies to Sarcocystis neurona in Michigan equids. Prev Vet Med. 2003. Feb 15;57:7-13.

Rossano MG, Murphy AJ, Vrable RA, Vanzo NE, Lewis SK, Sheline KD, Kaneene JB, Mansfield LS. A cross-sectional study of serum antibodies to Sarcocystis neurona in cats tested for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2002. 221:511-4.

Kruttlin EA, Rossano MG, Murphy AJ, Vrable RA, Kaneene JB, Schott II HC, Mansfield LS. The effects of pyrantel tartrate on Sarcocystis neurona merozoite viability. Vet Therapeutics Vol 2, No 3, Summer 2001.

Mansfield LS, Schott II HC, Murphy AJ, Rossano MG, Tanhauser SM, Patterson JS, Nelson K, Ewart SL, Marteniuk JV, Bowman DD, Kaneene JB. Comparison of Sarcocystis neurona isolates derived from horse neural tissue. Vet Parasitol 2001. 95:167-78.

Rossano MG, Kaneene JB, Marteniuk JV, Banks BD, Schott II HC, Mansfield LS. The seroprevalence of antibodies to Sarcocystis neurona in Michigan equids. Prev Vet Med. 2001. 48:113-28.

Rossano MG, Mansfield LS, Kaneene JB, Murphy AJ, Brown CM, Schott II HC, Fox JC. Improvement of western blot test specificity for detecting equine serum antibodies to Sarcocystis neurona. J Vet Diagn Invest 2000. 12:28-32.

Abstracts

Gould, J.C., M.G. Rossano, E.T. Lyons and L.M. Lawrence.  Effects of windrow composting on the viability ofParascaris equorum eggs within the interior of the windrow.  Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 31:290.

Other Publications

Book chapter (reviewed): Coleman, R.J., M.G. Rossano, C.J. Stowe, S. Johnson, A.F. Davis, J.E. Allen IV, A.E. Jarrett, G. Grulke, L. Brown and S. Clark (2015). “The 2012 Kentucky Equine Survey: importance and impact of the equine industry in Kentucky.” In C. Vial and R. Evans (eds), The New Equine Economic in the 21st Century (45 – 54). The Netherlands: Wageningen Academic Publishers

Final Report of the 2012 Kentucky Equine Survey, released September, 2013. Co-written with Dr. Jill Stowe and Ms. Holly Weimers.

Burk, S., M. Rossano, E. Vanzant, W. Silvia, and R. Harmon. 2011. Developing an assessment plan in an animal science department. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 31: 347-348.