NYS grants veterinary diagnostic lab $19.5M for building expansion

Lawmakers announced $19.5 million in capital funding to the New York State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (NYSVDL) at Cornell during a ceremony July 29 at the university. The money will fund an expansion of the building to accommodate its increasing caseload.

The event took place in the current Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC) facility, which was built in 2010. The new construction will add 26,000 square feet to house additional laboratories, offices and workstations, as well as a training and conference lab, and space for material preparation and storage. The state-funded expansion will also support workforce development opportunities to train highly qualified diagnosticians. Planning for groundbreaking and construction is underway.

Attendees included Interim President Michael I. Kotlikoff; François Elvinger, executive director of the AHDC and NYSVDL; Richard Ball, commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets; Assemblymember Donna Lupardo (D-123rd District), chair of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture; Senator Lea Webb (D-52nd District); Assemblymember Anna Kelles (D-125th District); and Lorin Warnick, the Austin O. Hooey Dean of Veterinary Medicine.

"We have put our nation's best minds in the service of our communities, our economies and our societies," Kotlikoff said, noting the crucial role the AHDC and NYSVDL played during the COVID-19 pandemic, testing more than 2 million human samples, which enabled students, faculty and staff to safely return to campus. "This extraordinary partnership between the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and Cornell provides outstanding guidelines and services that benefit the citizens of the state."

Warnick opened the ceremony by emphasizing the connection between Cornell and the State of New York.

"We see the fruits of this partnership every day," he said, thanking colleagues and supporters who advocated for the capital funding. "All of you play important roles in advancing animal and human health and in providing a safe, secure food supply for New York state and throughout the country."

Webb recalled her time as a Binghamton high school student, taking a memorable tour of the NYSVDL and learning the type of work done in its facilities.

"The research that's happening here is not only important - it is timely," she said. "As the state, it is our collective responsibility and opportunity to make resources available. This is money that is well invested and well utilized for so many reasons, public health and safety being number one and animal health… We stand very proudly alongside all of you."

"I am very pleased that we were able to fund the long-awaited expansion of the Animal Health Diagnostic Center in this year's state budget," Lupardo said. "I'd like to thank all of my partners in state government, along with the strong advocacy of the AHDC team, for their collaboration. We know that this expansion is critically important to protecting human and animal health at a time when cutting-edge testing services are in high demand."

The center and lab are critical to public health, Kelles said.

"I'm thrilled to play a part in securing this funding for a critically important expansion of Cornell's Animal Health Diagnostic Center. The lab plays a key role in protecting public health by conducting robust pathogenic testing on both animal, and during times of great need, human populations to monitor outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19 and the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus," Kelles said. "Given the growing prevalence of viral outbreaks in wildlife and the occurrence of viral mutations leading to the transfer of diseases across animal species and to human populations, this expansion of a world-class viral research laboratory could not be more timely.

"Not only does the laboratory provide direct research and testing, but the hundreds of veterinary students enrolled at any point in time who do rotations through the laboratory ensure the cutting-edge education of practitioners throughout the world," Kelles said. "I look forward to celebrating the great work of the laboratory for many decades to come."

Ball recalled the many interactions the Department of Agriculture and Markets has had with the AHDC.

"To see the involvement and evolution on a regular basis, to see the performance and collaboration between our departments and the agricultural community, it certainly is historic," he said. "The Animal Health Diagnostic Center's expansion is going to advance the state's efforts to take a more holistic approach to the way we look at health for all. I'm proud of our cooperation and partnership with all of you here today."

Since moving into its current building in 2010, the AHDC and NYSVDL's submission load has increased by nearly 90%. In the last 12 months, the organization processed more than 306,000 accessions, leading to millions of diagnostic tests, from veterinary professionals in every U.S. state and 43 countries. The AHDC and NYSVDL comprises labs that range from anatomic pathology and virology to toxicology and molecular diagnostics, as well as programs in quality milk production and avian and wildlife health.

About one-quarter of the organization's operational budget is funded through an existing contract with the Department of Agriculture and Markets, with additional state funding for wildlife health through a Department of Environmental Conservation contract, and funding from USDA Veterinary Services to support high consequence disease surveillance, response and mitigation activities. The AHDC and NYSVDL is a National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility/National Animal Health Laboratory Network liaison laboratory for the Northeast.

Other speakers included Michael Capel, president of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners; David Fisher, president of the New York Farm Bureau; Stephanie Janeczko, executive board member of the New York State Veterinary Medical Society; Brian Kreher, vice president, Egg Farms, Kreher Family Farms; and Tonya Van Slyke, executive director of the Northeast Dairy Producers Association.

"The AHDC is a world leader in laboratory diagnostics," Elvinger said in closing remarks. "Here in New York state, we have extensive testing and surveillance for the state, country and world. Few laboratories, if any, can boast the depth of expertise of our diagnostic faculty and the range of advanced technologies we deploy. I thank our staff, whose skills and dedication are second to none in delivering highest quality services.

"Robust testing, development and training requires space," he said, "which this capital funding will provide, and we are most grateful to our state partners and all stakeholders for their support that allows us to deliver the services they need and expect."

Melanie Greaver Cordova is the director of communications and client relations for the Animal Health Diagnostic Center.