Terry McElwain, D.V.M., Ph.D.

Dr. Terry F. McElwain received his bachelor’s degree in 1978 and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1980 from Kansas State University. He received his doctorate degree in infectious diseases and immunology from Washington State University (WSU) in 1986. He is a 1985 Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists. McElwain holds an academic appointment as Regents Professor at WSU. He was a co-founder of the Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health and, until recently, served as associate director and head of Africa programs. He also served as director from 1993 to 2001 and executive director from 2001 to 2015 of the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, a state, regional and national diagnostic facility for animal and zoonotic diseases and core reference laboratory in the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) and Laboratory Response Network for Bioterrorism (LRN).

McElwain is recognized internationally for his expertise in infectious diseases, including global disease surveillance. He is a fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science and in 2009 was elected to the National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine. He is a past president of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians and is a member of the World Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians Board of Directors. McElwain has over 25 years of experience working internationally in East Africa and directs programs focused on the role of animals and animal source foods in human health and development.