Education

PhD--1980, Immunobiology, 1980, Iowa State University

MS--1972, Veterinary Science, University of Idaho

BS--1966, Medical Technology, College of Idaho

Professional Experience

1993-present: Professor of Veterinary Medicine, Caine Veterinary Teaching Center, Caldwell

1988-1993: Associate Professor of Veterinary Medicine, Caine Veterinary Teaching Center, Caldwell

1984-1988: Associate Professor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Idaho

1977-1984: Assistant Professor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Idaho

1975-1977: Teaching Assistant, Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Iowa State University

1974-1975: NIH Trainee, Iowa State University

1970-1974: Department of Veterinary Science, University of Idaho

1965-1969: Veterinary Research Laboratory, University of Idaho, Caldwell

Dr. Al Ward in the bacteriology laboratory.

Dr. Ward continues to contribute significantly to the investigation of important questions about the survival and health of Bighorn Sheep populations throughout the western United States .  Years ago, wildlife specialists believed that the fatal lung infections (acute pneumonia caused by Pasteurella-type bacteria) that afflicted Bighorn Sheep were caused only by contact with domestic sheep grazing on public lands.  At stake were whole populations of these magnificent animals, but also the economical well-being, even the survival of segments of the domestic sheep industry in the western United States .

Dr. Ward’s Research Team (which includes Dr. Glen Weiser), through the examination of thousands of samples from Bighorn Sheep, determined that Bighorn Sheep that never had contact with domestic livestock, nevertheless, had plenty of their own, disease-causing Pasteurella bacteria in their upper and lower respiratory systems.  Moreover, Dr. Ward found many new types of Pasteurella, not only in wildlife but in samples from domestic animals with fatal pneumonia.  His valuable collection of Pasteurella bacteria now numbers over 5000 isolates and is foundational to the research efforts of  many wildlife disease investigators and those who attempt to manage wildlife populations.  The value of the collection as a reference resource for researchers has been extolled by giants in the field of Pasteurella research. 

 But that’s not all.  Dr. Ward has been research mentor to many young scientists from the ranks of nearby Northwest Nazarene University and Albertson’s College of Idaho .  These young student scientists and other researchers have feasted off Dr. Ward ’s continuing projects while contributing significantly to the progress of the work.  They’ve satisfied the requirements of their senior ‘honors projects’ and even contributed to the publishing of scientific articles.

 All this, while Dr. Ward contributes to the instruction of senior veterinary students and oversees (works tirelessly in) a very busy bacteriology laboratory that serves Idaho ’s livestock industries.