Expertise
- Avian viral diseases and viral pathogenesis
- Host-pathogen Interactions
- Vaccine development and evaluation
- Molecular virology and reverse genetics
- Whole-genome sequencing and transcriptomics
- Microbiome and immune response analysis
Biography
Dr. Zubair Khalid is a veterinarian and virologist with expertise in conventional virology, vaccine development and bioinformatics. His research focuses on host-pathogen interactions and translational strategies to control viral diseases affecting poultry and animal health, supported by extensive experience in molecular biology, genomics, immunology, and wet-lab experimentation.
Education
- PhD, Veterinary Biomedical Sciences - Auburn University
- MS, Veterinary Biomedical Sciences - Auburn University
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) - University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Bachelor’s in Education (BEd)- University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Research Interests
- Avian viral diseases and viral pathogenesis
- Host-pathogen interactions
- Vaccine development and evaluation
- Molecular virology and reverse genetics
- Whole-genome sequencing and transcriptomics
- Microbiome and immune response analysis
Honors & Awards
- P. P. Levine Award by American Association of Avian Pathology (AAAP)
- Outstanding Master’s Student Award by Auburn University
- Presidential Graduate Research Fellowship by Auburn University
- Presentation Award by Western Poultry Disease Conference
- Fulbright Scholarship by The Fulbright Program
Publications
- Khalid, Z. L. He, Q. Yu, C. Breedlove, K. Joiner, H. Toro. Enhanced Protection by Recombinant Newcastle Disease Virus Expressing Infectious Bronchitis Virus Spike Ectodomain and Chicken Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor. Avian Diseases, 65(3), 364-372, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1637/aviandiseases-D-21-00032
- Khalid, Z., Hauck, R. Molecular Responses to Avian Reovirus Inoculation in Vitro. Viruses, 17(11), 1489. https://doi.org/10.3390/v17111489
- Khalid, Z., Fathima, S., & Hauck, R. (2025). Tissue-Specific Transcriptomic Responses to Avian Reovirus Inoculation in Ovo. Viruses, 17(5), 646. https://doi.org/10.3390/v17050646
- Khalid, Z. Responses to Avian Reovirus Infection in Vivo, in Ovo, and in Vitro. PhD Dissertation. https://etd.auburn.edu//handle/10415/9605
- Khalid Z., Alvarez-Narvaez, Harrell, T.L., Chowdhury, E.U., Conrad, S. Hauck, R. Viral Heterogeneity in an Avian Reovirus Isolate Despite Plaque Purification and Differences in Segment-Wise Abundance Between Different Amplification and Purification Steps. Avian Diseases, Link
- Khalid, Z. Protective Efficacy of a Recombinant Newcastle Disease Virus against Infectious Bronchitis. MS thesis. Auburn University, 2021, 29288886. https://etd.auburn.edu//handle/10415/7794
- Narvaez SA, Harrell TL, Oluwayinka O, Sellers HS, Khalid Z, Hauck R, Chowdhury EU, Conrad SJ. Optimizing the Conditions for Whole-Genome Sequencing of Avian Reoviruses. Viruses. 2023 Sep 16;15(9):1938. https://doi.org/10.3390/v15091938
- Gulizia, J. P., Khalid, Z. M. T. Terra-Long, J. I. Vargas, J. R. Hernandez, W. J. Pacheco, J. T. Krehling, K. S. Macklin, W. A. Dozier, K. W. McCafferty, and R. Hauck. Response of YPM × Ross 708 Male Broilers to Diets Containing Varying Inclusions of Phytase, Calcium Butyrate, and Bacitracin Methylene Disalicylate During the Grower and Finisher Periods – Part 2: Intestinal Health and Physiology. Poult. Sci. 104:104862. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2025.104862
- Gulizia, J. P., M. T. Terra-Long, Khalid, Z. J. I. Vargas, S. M. Bonilla, J. R. Hernandez, S. Thuekeaw, R. Hauck, K. S. Macklin, W. A. Dozier, K. W. McCafferty, and W. J. Pacheco. Response of YPM × Ross 708 Male Broilers to Diets Containing Varying Inclusions of Phytase, Calcium Butyrate, and Bacitracin Methylene Disalicylate From 1 to 42 d of Age – Part 1: Performance, Processing Yields, and Nutrient Digestibility. Poult. Sci. 103:104350. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2024.104350
