About

Catie Burgess, PhD, is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech. She has been serving in this role since 2025 and is also a NAHLN-NBAF Regional Scientist for the Southeast region. Her research interests include the simulation of surveillance testing strategies for enhanced capacity and adaptability, as well as the detection and surveillance of Theileria orientalis Ikeda and ONT sequencing. Dr. Burgess completed her PhD in Translational Biology at Virginia Tech in 2025 and holds a BS in Biology and Government from William & Mary, earned in 2020. Her professional experience includes work as a Laboratory Technician in COVID-19 response at Virginia Tech's Molecular Diagnostics Lab and roles as a Graduate Research Assistant in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health. She is a member of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians and the United States Animal Health Association.

Research topics

• Computer Science
• Medicine
• Virology
• Veterinary medicine
• Biology
• Genetics

Selected publications

• Sample pooling approaches simulated under resource scarcity, lapses in testing capacity, and rapid processing demands for surveillance testing: a data-driven performance comparison

  BMC Infectious Diseases · 2026-01-30

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Sample pooling is a critical strategy to meet increased testing demand and conserve resources in surveillance testing. Much of its effectiveness depends on how well optimized the pool size is to the prevalence of infection in the sampled population, which can be difficult to anticipate in many circumstances. Multiple methods exist to better optimize pooling, with unique trade-offs. Pooling optimization methods were simulated to examine trade-offs between surveillance priorities and operational characteristics using SARS-CoV-2 surveillance data and workflows generated by the Virginia Tech Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory under varying capacity conditions. All in-house validation procedures were designed and established exclusively under CLIA to ensure full control of the analytical framework and to accurately reflect true capacity constraints. We used binary surveillance data to run Monte Carlo simulations (MCS) comparing conservative and large fixed pools, historical prevalence optimization (HPO), prevalence estimation testing (PET), truly optimized pooling, and individual testing. Median test counts from the MCS fed a discrete-event simulation (DES) that assessed processing time at different lab capacities under surveillance and outbreak conditions. We then used the combined performance results to build a classification tree to guide method selection under different testing priorities and constraints. MCS results indicated that small pools (4 samples), HPO, and PET resulted in test counts that were not statistically different from truly optimized pooling (p > 0.05). The DES showed that pooling methods generally performed comparably to individual testing in processing time at low laboratory capacity, but individual testing became faster as capacity increased. Across capacity conditions, individual testing processed fewer than 500 daily samples more quickly, yet it demanded more hands-on time than pooling. Large-scale surveillance favored pooled methods, which were quicker under most conditions, while outbreak scenarios often favored individual testing when capacity wasn’t highly limited. Machine learning analysis highlighted surveillance priorities and sample intake as key determinants in selecting the best pooling optimization method for the given circumstance. This study demonstrates the importance of maintaining multiple pooling optimization approaches and adapting strategies to match evolving demands and potential constraints in surveillance testing. Not applicable.

  PublisherDOI

• Simulation of pooling optimization methods for differing infection dynamics, sampling practices, and desired outcomes in surveillance testing

  Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation · 2026-01-07 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access1st author

  The reliability of assumptions made about prevalence for pooling optimization varies greatly among target pathogens and surveillance strategies. When prevalence is unknown and difficult to anticipate, surveillance programs risk generating additional costs if pooling is suboptimal. Different methods of approximating optimal pool size (OPS) vary in precision of optimization, required sampling information, and the logistical demands placed on a laboratory workflow. Hence, it can be unclear how to assess compatibility between pooling optimization methods and the priorities of a surveillance program, sampling practices for the target population, and infection dynamics of the target pathogen. Our aim was to determine the relative performance in maximizing testing economy and cost reduction in different surveillance programs by simulating different pooling optimization methods on data from 280 submissions for bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) surveillance (Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center) and 111 submissions for Theileria orientalis surveillance (Virginia Tech Animal Laboratory Services). True prevalence, OPS, and historical prevalence were determined for each submission, and different optimization methods using fixed pool sizes, historical prevalence, and prevalence estimation testing were trialed on the data through Monte Carlo simulations. Contrasting results were observed between the 2 target pathogens, with historical prevalence being the most reliable optimization method for BVDV and the least reliable method for T. orientalis , which required significantly more tests than truly optimized pooling ( p <0.05). Our results demonstrate the need to consider the interplay of infection dynamics, sampling practices, and surveillance priorities when selecting a pooling optimization approach.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Development of a Prevalence Estimation Method for Sample Pooling Optimization and Enhancement of Surveillance Testing Capacity When Prevalence is Unpredictable

  SSRN Electronic Journal · 2025-01-01 · 2 citations

  preprintOpen access1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Determining diagnostic sensitivity loss limits for sample pooling in duplex rtPCR surveillance testing: <i>Theileria orientalis</i> and <i>Anaplasma marginale</i>

  Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation · 2024 · 4 citations

  1st authorCorresponding
  • Computer Science
  • Biology
  • Virology

  using our rtPCR assay. The described strategy is applicable to validate pooling for a wide range of single and duplex rtPCR assays, which could expand efficient disease surveillance.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Breeder Reprocessing Engineering Test

  University of North Texas Digital Library (University of North Texas) · 1984-01-01

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  The Breeder Reprocessing Engineering Test (BRET) is a developmental activity of the US Department of Energy to demonstrate breeder fuel reprocessing technology while closing the fuel cycle for the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF). It will be installed in the existing Fuels and Materials Examination Facility (FMEF) at the Hanford Site near Richland, Washington, The major objectives of BRET are: (1) close the US breeder fuel cycle; (2) develop and demonstrate reprocessing technology and systems for breeder fuel; (3) provide an integrated test of breeder reactor fuel cycle technology - rprocessing, safeguards, and waste management. BRET is a joint effort between the Westinghouse Hanford Company and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. 3 references, 2 figures.

  Publisher

• FMEF/experimental capabilities

  OSTI OAI (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information) · 1981-10-19

  paratextOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  The Fuels and Materials Examination Facility (FMEF), under construction at the Hanford site north of Richland, Washington, will be one of the most modern facilities offering irradiated fuels and materials examination capabilities and fuel fabrication development technologies. Scheduled for completion in 1984, the FMEF will provide examination capability for fuel assemblies, fuel pins and test pins irradiated in the FFTF. Various functions of the FMEF are described, with emphasis on experimental data-gathering capabilities in the facility's Nondestructive and Destructive examination cell complex.

  Publisher

• FFTF support facilities

  Transactions of the American Nuclear Society · 1980-01-01

  article

  Supernatants based on herbal- and chitosan-based toothpastes have comparable immediate and ongoing antibacterial efficacies as chlorhexidine. Natural antimicrobials and chlorhexidine absorb in oral biofilms which contributes to their substantive action.

  PublisherDOI

• Design and construction of the Fuels and Materials Examination Facility

  OSTI OAI (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information) · 1979-11-15

  paratextOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Final design is more than 85 percent complete on the Fuels and Materials Examination Facility, the facility for post-irradiation examination of the fuels and materials tests irradiated in the FFTF and for fuel process development, experimental test pin fabrication and supporting storage, assay, and analytical chemistry functions. The overall facility is generally described with specific information given on some of the design features. Construction has been initiated and more than 10% of the construction contracts have been awarded on a fixed price basis.

  Publisher

• Design features and objectives of the Fuels and Materials Examination Facility

  Transactions of the American Nuclear Society · 1977-01-01

  articleSenior author

  The conceptual design has been nearly completed on the FMEF, a hot cell facility for destructive and nondestructive examination of irradiated fuels and materials tested in the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) and other breeder reactors. The FMEF will be constructed near the FFTF and is scheduled to be operational by early 1983. A large cell with 22 work stations permits nondestructive examinations of full assemblies and pins while 12 smaller cells provide sectioning of failed assemblies or pins and destructive examinations. These cells contain a recirculating nitrogen atmosphere. To handle the large assemblies and increased number of fuels and materials specimens irradiated in the FFTF, the facility is highly mechanized to provide high throughput.

  Publisher

• LMFBR reference control materials semi-annual report

  1975-12-01 · 1 citations

  reportOpen accessSenior author

  Progress on neutron absorber development activities from July 1975 through December 1975 is summarized. Included in the report are descriptions of activities related to performance analysis, development testing, and fabrication technology.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Laura L. Hungerford

  Virginia Tech

  4 shared

• S. Michelle Todd

  Virginia–Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

  4 shared

• Kevin K. Lahmers

  Virginia–Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

  4 shared

• K.L. Hladek

  1 shared

• Jeff Hanson

  1 shared

• R.J. Lobsinger

  1 shared

• D.W. Brite

  United States Department of Energy

  1 shared

• C.A. Strand

  National Food Administration

  1 shared

Education

• PhD, Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health

  Virginia Tech

  2025