DR. GISELA F. ERF The Holder of Tyson Professorship in Avian Immunology

Dr. Erf received an associate degree from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada (1979); a B.S. degree (Animal Science, 1981) and the Master of Science (Reproductive Physiology, 1983) from the University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; and the Ph.D. degree from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA (Immunology, 1988). Upon graduation she became Assistant Professor in Biological Sciences at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, USA. Dr. Erf joined the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science on July 1, 1994, where she is a Professor in Poultry Science. Dr. Erf teaches a graduate-level immunology lecture course, a graduate-level immunology laboratory course, and coordinates and teaches an undergraduate laboratory research course. She is a faculty member of the Intercollege Program in Cell and Molecular Biology and the College's Honors Faculty Committee. In 2006, Dr. Erf was given an Endowed Professorship in Avian Immunology funded by Tyson Foods, Inc. and matching funds from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation.

Dr. Erf has an active research program in the area of avian immunology and poultry health. Current investigations focus on studying immune system development and function in poultry, with emphasis on fundamental aspects of inflammatory processes and cell-mediated immune responses; immunomodulatory effects of environmental and nutritional factors; and the role of the immune system in pulmonary hypertension. A major portion of her research program also includes studies on the Smyth line chicken, which is an important animal model for human autoimmune vitiligo (a pigmentation disorder). This avian animal model provides unique opportunities to study the multifactorial nature of autoimmune disease; including the role of the immune system, the environment and the target cell/tissue. Her research involves whole animal studies as well as cellular and molecular approaches. Dr. Erf's research and teaching efforts have been recognized by several awards including the Young Investigator Award from the Pan-American Society for Pigment Cell Research (1992); the John W. White Outstanding Teaching Award (1999), the Purina Mills Teaching Award (1999), the University of Arkansas Teaching Academy Award of Excellence (2001), the Jack G. Justus Award for Excellence in Teaching (2005), the Helene Cecil Leadership Award from the Poultry Science Association for her significant sustained contributions in the field of poultry science and for her significant leadership in the promotion or development of opportunities for women in the area of poultry science (2005), and the University of Arkansas Alumni Association Faculty Distinguished Achievement Award for Research and Teaching (2006).

SIGNIFICANT PAPERS

Erf, G. F. 2008 Animal models. In: Vitiligo Handbook, Picardo, M. and A. Taieb, editors. Springer Verlag GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany (in press).

Erf, G. F. 2008. Autoimmune diseases of poultry.  Pages 339-358 in: Avian Immunology, Davison F., Kaspers, B., and K. Schat editors. Elsevier, London, San Diego, CA.

Hamal K. R., R. F. Wideman, Jr., N. B. Anthony, and G. F. Erf. 2008. Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in lungs of broiler chickens following intravenous cellulose microparticle injection. Poult. Sci. 87:636-44.

Bowen, O. T., G. F. Erf, M. E. Chapman, and R. F. Wideman, Jr. 2007. Plasma nitric oxide concentration in broilers after intravenous injections of lipopolysaccharide or microparticles. Poult. Sci. 86:2550-54.

Wideman R. F., M. E. Chapman, K. R. Hamal, O. T. Bowen, G. A. Lorenzoni, G. F. Erf, and N. B. Anthony. 2007. An inadequate pulmonary vascular capacity and susceptibility to pulmonary arterial hypertension in broilers. Poult. Sci. 86:984-98.

Wick, G., L. Andersson, K. Hala, M. E. Gershwin, C. F. Selmi, G. F. Erf, S. J. Lamont, and R. Sgonc. 2006. Avian models with spontaneous autoimmune diseases.  Adv. Immunol. 92:71-117.

Hamal, K., S. Burgess, I. Pevzner, and G. F. Erf. 2006. Maternal antibody transfer from dams to their egg-yolk, egg-white and chicks in two meat lines of chickens. Poult. Sci. 85:1364-72.

Erf, G. F. 2004. Avian cell-mediated immunity. Poult. Sci. 83:580-90.

Wang X., and G. F. Erf. 2004. Apoptosis in feathers of Smyth line chickens with autoimmune vitiligo. J. Autoimmun. 22:21-30.

Konjufca, V. K., T. K. Bersi, W. G. Bottje, and G. F. Erf. 2004. Influence of dietary vitamin E on phagocytic functions of macrophages in broilers. Poult. Sci. 83:1530-34.

Wang, X., and G. F. Erf. 2003. Melanocyte-specific cell mediated immune response in vitiliginous Smyth line chickens. J. Autoimmun. 21:149-60.

Wang, W., R. F. Wideman, Jr., M. E. Chapman, T. K. Bersi, and G. F. Erf. 2003. Effect of intravenous endotoxin on blood cell profiles of broilers housed in cages and floor litter environments. Poult. Sci. 82:1886-97.

Wang, W., R. F. Wideman, Jr., T. K. Bersi, and G. F. Erf. 2003. Pulmonary and hematological immune responses to intravenous cellulose micro-particles in broilers. Poult. Sci. 82:771-80.

Wang, X., and G. F. Erf. 2003. Melanocyte-specific cell mediated immune response in vitiliginous Smyth line chickens. J. Autoimmun. 21:149-60.

Erf, G. F., T. K. Bersi, X. Wang, G. P. Sreekumar, and J. R. Smyth, Jr. 2001. Herpesvirus connection in the expression of autoimmune vitiligo in Smyth line chickens. Pigm. Cell Res. 14:40-46.

CONTACT INFORMATION

gferf@uark.edu

Dr. Gisela F. Erf
Center of Excellence for Poultry Science
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701

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