The objective of Dr. Gerlinde Van de Walle’s research is to open up new avenues towards therapeutic intervention by better understanding the pathogenesis of diseases important to veterinary and human medicine. To this end, our lab uses various model systems, including in vitro 2D cell cultures, ex vivo 3D explant and organoid models, and in vivo rodent and large animal models.

Viral pathogenesis: Many veterinary species are naturally susceptible to pathogens closely related to those that infect humans.  Since these animal and human pathogens frequently share similar pathogenesis profiles, animal diseases might be considered translational models for their human counterparts. The viruses we currently study are equine hepatitis-associated viruses, equine herpesviruses, and feline herpesvirus type 1.

Stem cell biology: Our research group studies the basic physiology of adult stem cells as well as their potential in regenerative medicine. For example, we use a unique tool set consisting of mammary stem cell/progenitor cells (MaSC) from a variety of mammalian species, for comparative studies on the underlying molecular basis of susceptibility and resistance towards mammary/breast cancer. Stem cells also secrete a collection of bioactive factors, referred to as “the secretome”, which represents a new source to identify molecules with therapeutic potential. We are exploring the potential of the adult stem cell secretome to promote wound healing and fight infections.

1999 - DVM, Ghent University, Belgium
2003 - Ph.D., Ghent University, Belgium

• 2000–2003 Graduate Research Assistant in the laboratory of Dr. Hans Nauwynck, Department of Virology, Parasitology & Immunology, Ghent University, Belgium
• 2003–2005 Postdoctoral Researcher in the laboratory of Dr. Hans Deckmyn, Laboratory of Thrombosis Research, University of Leuven, Belgium
• 2006–2008 Postdoctoral Associate in the laboratory of Dr. Nikolaus Osterrieder, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University
• 2008–2011 Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Hans Nauwynck, Department of Virology, Parasitology & Immunology, Ghent University, Belgium
• 2010–2012 Assistant Professor (docent), Department of Comparative Physiology and Biometrics, Ghent University, Belgium
• 2013–2018 Assistant Professor, Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University
• 2019-present Associate Professor, Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University

• 2006 Stephen Straus travel Award for the 31th International Herpes Workshop (IHW), Seattle
• 2008 – 2011 Postdoctoral research fellowship from the Research Foundation Flanders
• 2014 Burroughs Wellcome Fund for the Merial-NIH Veterinary Scholars Symposium, Ithaca
• 2014 – present Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future Faculty Fellow
• 2016 Zoetis Award for Excellence in Veterinary Research
• 2016 Excellence in Teaching Award for Outstanding Teaching in Veterinary Medicine
• 2017-2019 Endowed Harry M. Zweig Assistant Professor in Equine Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University

• 2010 - 2012 Belgian Society for Microbiology
• 2010 - 2012 Belgian Environmental Mutagen Society
• 2010 - 2012 Belgian Society of Physiology and Pharmacology
• 2010 - 2012 European Society for Veterinary Virology
• 2013 - present American Society for Microbiology
• 2013 - present American Society for Virology
• 2013-present International Society for Stem Cell Research
• 2013 - present Cornell University Stem Cell Program
• 2014 - present Cornell Comparative Cancer Biology Training Program
• 2015 - present New York State Veterinary Medical Society
• 2015 - present Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medicine