Dr. Miller came to Kansas State University in 2023 as an Associate Professor in Veterinary Virology. She received her Bachelor of Science with Honors in Medical Microbiology from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, and a Ph.D. in Molecular Virology from the Institute for Animal Health, Pirbright, conferred by the University of Reading, England. After serving as a leader of the serological testing at Pirbright during the UK Foot-and-Mouth Disease Epidemic of 2001, Dr. Miller moved to the United States as a Research Microbiologist at the US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, Nebraska. In 2007, Dr. Miller moved within the USDA to the National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa. She has published more than 65 peer-reviewed manuscripts, with 1839 citations. She currently serves as Past-President of the American Association of Veterinary Immunologists, Member-At-Large NC-229 Multistate Committee for Detection and Control of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus and Emerging Viral Diseases of Swine, and a Project Director of the NSRP-8 National Animal Genome Research Program.
Dr. Miller's multidisciplinary research focus has been on virus-host cell interactions and application of this knowledge towards a better understanding of the pathogenesis and immunology of livestock viral pathogens. She has used and adapted evolving technologies (Microarrays, Serial Analysis of Gene Expression, Digital Gene Expression Tag Profiling Expression, RNA-Seq, and STomics) to conduct basic and applied research that has characterized the pig's cellular response to viral pathogens. Dr. Miller's host-response studies have resulted in the creation of the most extensive immunoinformatics dataset to date on host gene expression in response to PRRSV infection. Dr. Miller's ultimate goal is to leverage her expertise to develop new diagnostic methods and vaccine strategies against swine diseases. This research holds significant promise for producers, veterinarians, and consumers, ensuring a safe and sustainable supply of pork.
