Zubair Khalid

Biography

Dr. Zubair Khalid is a veterinarian and virologist with advanced training in molecular biology, viral pathogenesis, bioinformatics, and vaccine research. His research focuses on understanding host-pathogen interactions and developing translational approaches to control viral diseases affecting poultry and animal health. Dr. Khalid has extensive experience in molecular virology, genomics, and immunology, with a background in both wet-lab experimentation and bioinformatics.

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 - 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
• Fulbright Scholarship by The Fulbright Program

Publications

1. 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
2. Khalid, Z., Hauck, R. Molecular Responses to Avian Reovirus Inoculation in Vitro. Viruses, 17(11), 1489. https://doi.org/10.3390/v17111489
3. 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
4. Khalid, Z. Responses to Avian Reovirus Infection in Vivo, in Ovo, and in Vitro. PhD Dissertation. https://etd.auburn.edu//handle/10415/9605
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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
9. 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