Phil Elzer has been named assistant vice chancellor of the LSU AgCenter and assistant director of the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station.

In this position, Elzer will assist in oversight of all animal-related programs and personnel. This encompasses research activities for aquaculture, animal science, wildlife, food science and nutrition, and areas of veterinary science.

“I will be the liaison between state commodity groups and related research and extension personnel,” Elzer said.

He has a special interest in incorporating new and novel biotechnological methods, equipment and facilities to solve problems experienced by Louisiana’s agricultural stakeholders.

“These efforts will not only enhance the state’s economic development, but they will also improve animal health and human welfare,” he said.

Elzer said it’s his goal to facilitate the collaborative research of the Louisiana Experiment Station staff to successfully obtain external funding through state, federal and international sources.

Elzer has been employed with the AgCenter since 1995, when he became an assistant professor with a joint appointment in the Department of Pathobiological Sciences in the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Veterinary Science in the LSU AgCenter.

During his tenure at LSU, Elzer has conducted brucellosis research using numerous animal species. His current research projects involve vaccines for brucellosis, tuberculosis, Johne’s disease, pseudorabies and infectious diseases including chronic wasting disease, scrapie and mad cow disease.

Elzer earned his master’s and doctorate from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., and is active in teaching and professional development. Elzer contributes to courses and laboratory exercises in immunology, microbiology and reproductive diseases in the veterinary curriculum.