Vet Med Faces of Research: Dr. Jared Taylor

Monday, January 6, 2020

At Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine researchers have a 60-plus year history of looking at bovine respiratory disease or what’s commonly called BRD. Jared Taylor, DVM, MPH, Ph.D., DACVIM, associate professor in the department of veterinary pathobiology, continues that legacy through his research.

“My research is primarily on cattle health,” said Taylor. “BRD is one of the most economically significant diseases of beef cattle. Our research looks to minimize those impacts on Oklahoma’s producers as well as producers throughout the country.”

Taylor enjoys the diversity of his position at the veterinary college where he has been on faculty for more than 10 years. He can be found working in the lab with microbes and pipettes or out working cattle vaccinating them or collecting samples.

“The most exciting thing about my research is that there’s not a typical day,” he said. “I do everything from looking at the molecular genetic characterization of the bacteria involved in respiratory disease of cattle to working with producers on how to effectively wean calves. Sometimes I even step outside of cattle and look at other species or other diseases within cattle. We look for things that are directly applicable to producers; things they can change which will benefit them and the animals they care for. Any day that I get to do something that results in a publication or in communicating information to others, that’s a good day for me. There’s a great deal of opportunities that make sure I never get bored.”

Taylor and his associates stay focused on what’s relevant.

“All science is productive in leading us forward and gaining understanding but our areas of research tend to be very much focused on what’s going to yield impacts and changes within a relatively short period of time,” explained Taylor. “Despite BRD continuing to be a significant disease, I believe that we’ve made progress and have had notable beneficial impacts for the producers of Oklahoma and throughout the country. Even a negative trial is a success. It’s information that we need to share with others and tell them, hey, this seemed like a reasonable idea but it didn’t work. I think anytime that we can conclude a trial and get data that’s worthy of distributing to others it’s a success.

“If you’re interested in researching respiratory disease in cattle, understand the industry. Understand the application of this research and what impacts it is going to have, what’s realistic and what’s not realistic within the industry,” he said. “That’s how I ended up with the diversity of the work that I do. I believe it’s important to be very familiar with all aspects of how your work will be applied and to keep it grounded to where it can be of benefit to producers and others.”

Vet Med Faces of Research is a monthly series designed to inform the public about the impact of the numerous studies being conducted at Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Advancing knowledge and understanding for the benefit of the lives and livelihoods of the people of Oklahoma is a critical element of OSU’s land-grant mission.

CONTACT: Taylor Bacon | Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator | 405-744-6728 | taylor.bacon@okstate.edu