Dr. Michael T. Collins

Michael T. Collins, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVM is a professor in the Department of Pathobiological Sciences at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine. He obtained his doctor of veterinary medicine degree from the University of Minnesota and his PhD from the University of Georgia. He has earned the prestigious title of Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists.

As a veterinarian and a microbiologist, Dr. Collins approaches the study of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) with two primary interests: 1) diagnose and control of the infection in animals, and 2) understanding the biology of this unusual pathogen. His research publications span a wide variety of subjects, from cost-benefit analysis of a test and slaughter control programs in dairy herds to laboratory studies on thermal tolerance of the organism to help understand survival characteristics of this bacterium in pasteurized foods.

Most recently, Dr. Collins has turned his interest in paratuberculosis diagnostics toward the human species. His areas of expertise include Paratuberculosis (Johne’s disease) and the biology of its causative agent, Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, the epidemiology, economic impact,  zoonotic potential, and pathogenesis of the disease in a variety of species (cattle, goats, llamas, etc.) and the relationship between Crohn’s disease and Mycobacterium paratuberculosis.

In addition to his teaching and research as part of his job at the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Collins serves on the National (USA) Johne’s Working Group, (NJWG) and is the past President of the International Association for Paratuberculosis. He is the recipient of the University of Wisconsin’s Distinguished Research Alumnus Award (2010), the Norden-Pfizer Teaching Award (2004), and the Van Hise Distinguished Teaching & Outreach Award (2004). He also received support for a sabbatical in Chile through the Fulbright Scholars Program Award.

His publications include:

Collins, M. Crohn’s link to bacterium in cows opens door to antibiotic treatment. www.beststory.ca, Feb 2015.

To contact Dr. Collins, please visit the University of Wisconsin site.