Our research group explores the intersection of veterinary medicine and sustainability. We define sustainability as the responsible use of resources in ways that support animal, human, and environmental health—now and for generations to come. In veterinary medicine, this means providing high-quality care while minimizing harm to the ecosystems that sustain life.
We aim to help the veterinary profession become a leader in sustainability by combining interdisciplinary research, education innovation, and collaboration across professions. Our work identifies opportunities to reduce the environmental footprint of animal care, integrate sustainability into veterinary education, and understand how environmental change affects animal health and welfare. Together, these efforts advance a more resilient and responsible future for veterinary medicine.
Our Team
We are a multidisciplinary group of researchers, students, and collaborators dedicated to advancing sustainability within veterinary medicine. Our expertise spans epidemiology, pathology, public health, environmental science, and clinical practice. We partner with colleagues across disciplines and institutions to ensure our research has real-world relevance and impact.
research project
VetCAST
The Veterinary Climate Action & Sustainability Talks are stories about how the environment influences animal health. Created by an epic team of Colorado State University Veterinary students, these episodes seek to expand your knowledge and inspire you to take action to protect animal health.
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research project
The Air We Share
Wildfires and other air pollutants are a health risk for animals and people alike. We are collaborating with faculty across campus to better understand these impacts and take action so everyone can breathe a little easier.
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research project
Sustainability Advocacy in Veterinary Education (SAVE)
Animal health professionals in training and in practice are interested in learning about the animal health impacts of climate change. Our online program seeks to educate and build community around this important topic.
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Publications
Dog owners are concerned about ambient air quality and require veterinary guidance.
Scott D, Anderson AA, Abrams KM, Long M, Ford B, Magzamen S, Duncan CG. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2025 Oct 3:1-10. doi: 10.2460/javma.25.02.0124. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41043476.
Understanding climate change threats to vertebrate wildlife by studying ecoimmunology across biological scales.
Fagre AC, Becker DJ, Pulscher LA, Simonis MC, Duncan CG. Integr Comp Biol. 2025 Aug 20:icaf150. doi: 10.1093/icb/icaf150. Online ahead of print. PMID: 40833629
Saxitoxin linked to deaths of northern fur seals in the Southeast Bering Sea.
Lefebvre KA, Campbell CM, Divine LM, Melovidov P, Hellen H, Huntington KB, Bowers EK, Rouse N, Fachon E, Farrugia TJ, Pickart RS, Lin P, Lago L, Bahr F, Furst E, Duncan CG, Charapata P, Anderson DM, Kurtay G. Mar Mamm Sci. 2025 May 26:e70028. doi: 10.1111/mms.70028. Online ahead of print. PMID: 40857453 Free PMC article.
Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic cats and northern fur seals of the Pribilof Islands, Alaska.
Dawant T, Gerhold R, Scott D, Su C, Divine L, Williams M, Ream R, Gelatt T, Duncan C. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl. 2025 Jun 11;27:101096. doi: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101096. eCollection 2025 Aug. PMID: 40584261 Free PMC article.
Preparing pets and their people: opportunity for veterinary teams to promote disaster preparedness in their communities
Quintana J, Viola L, Sanchez V, Scott D, Duncan C. Preparing pets and their people: opportunity for veterinary teams to promote disaster preparedness in their communities. Front. Vet. Sci., 30 January 2025. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1442482
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