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. His work has resulted in patented vaccine candidates. In 2022, the American Association of Avian Pathologists awarded him with the prestigious P. P. Levine Award for the vaccine work published in Avian Diseases journal.
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
- 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, 70(1):23-31 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1637/aviandiseases-D-25-00068
- 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
- Egana-Labrin S, Brodrick A, Khalid Z, Kehlbeck D, Liu M, Dong J, Broadway A, Markis M, Mondal S, Broadbent A. Molecular Characterization of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) Strains of Genogroup A2B1 Circulating in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia from 2018 to 2023. Microbiol Spectr, 0:e02976-25, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.02976-25
- 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
- Barros M., Pietruska A., Khalid Z., Gulizia, J.P., and Hauck R. Secondary analysis of the intestinal microbiota of healthy chickens. Poult. Sci. 2026, 106915, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2026.106915
- 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
