About

Laura L. Hungerford is a professor associated with the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, where her work is centered on health systems science research. She is involved in research labs that focus on health systems science, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in this field. Her role includes overseeing research initiatives, supporting research development, and fostering collaboration within the health sciences community at Virginia Tech. Her expertise and leadership are integral to the ongoing efforts to improve healthcare systems through scientific inquiry and interprofessional practice education.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Biology
• Veterinary medicine
• Ecology
• Computer Science
• Genetics
• Virology
• Environmental health
• Zoology
• Geography
• Internal medicine
• Environmental science
• Environmental engineering

Selected publications

• Small animal veterinarians identify proactive, specific, and multimodal communication as helpful in supporting nutrition conversations with clients

  Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association · 2026-05-06

  article

  Objective: To quantitatively assess veterinarian perceptions of barriers and solutions to pet nutrition communication during small animal appointments in the US and Canada. Methods: An anonymous online survey was circulated by the Veterinary Information Network to its members between March 28 and April 13, 2022. Respondents included veterinarians in active practice. The survey included fixed-choice and free-text response items. Fixed-choice items were tabulated with R software. Free-text items were coded thematically with Atlas.ti software. Results: From 561 survey respondents, the top 3 barriers identified were pet owner preconceived notions about nutrition (86% [483 of 561]), insufficient time (63% [352 of 561]), and pet owner resistance to discussing nutrition (41% [230 of 561]). The top 3 solutions identified were showing/talking to owners about what veterinary professionals feed their pets (59% [332 of 561]), having direct yet compassionate conversations with owners (58% [327 of 561]), and specific nutrition recommendations (49% [274 of 561]). Free-text responses clarified nuances within each potential solution, such as the importance of establishing veterinary-owner trust first and not being too technical with specific recommendations. Conclusions: Small animal veterinarians reported that pet owner preconceived notions about nutrition were the most common reported barrier to nutrition communication. What veterinary professionals feed their pets, direct yet compassionate conversations, and specific nutrition recommendations were reported as potential solutions, with the caveat that veterinary-owner trust was important to establish first. Clinical Relevance: Building trust with pet owners, being proactive with direct yet compassionate nutrition conversations, and including specific nutrition recommendations may be helpful in breaking down barriers to nutrition communication.

  PublisherDOI

• High-prevalence of bovine leukemia virus in cow-calf operations: Implications for cow reproduction, culling, and calf weight

  Preventive Veterinary Medicine · 2026-02-23

  articleOpen access

  This study determined the prevalence of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection and proviral load (PVL) in cow-calf operations and evaluated their impact in productive metrics. A cohort of 1969 Angus-cross cows from 12 Virginia cow-calf operations was followed between Fall 2021 and Fall 2024. Blood samples were collected at two time points, one year apart, and tested by ELISA; PVL was quantified by qPCR in ELISA-positive cows. Pregnancy, culling, and weaning weight outcomes were analyzed using mixed logistic, Cox proportional hazards, and linear regression models. The PVL results were stratified into four categories according to quartile distribution. The overall cow-level prevalence of BLV was 76.0 % and 84.2 % at the first and second yearly sample, respectively, with herd-level prevalence averaging 78.8 % (SD = 14.96 %). For positive ELISA animals in the first bleeding, the average PVL value was 0.25 (SD = 0.34) For the second bleeding, the average PVL value for ELISA positive cows was 0.26 (SD= 0.34). No association was detected of ELISA-BLV status with pregnancy, culling, or calf weaning weight. However, cows in the high PVL category had lower pregnancy risk compared with those in the very low PVL category. Culling risk, survival and weaning weight were not associated with ELISA or PVL status. Proviral load values changed significantly from the first sampling to the second, with 72 % of the cows transitioning to lower PVL categories. These findings highlight dynamic within-cow PVL fluctuations and suggest an association between BLV PVL and reproductive performance. In contrast, BLV status was not associated with cow culling or calf weaning weight.

  PublisherDOI

• 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 access
  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

  • 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

• SERIAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT WITH STANDARDIZED EXTERNAL SCORING AND HEMOLYMPH EVALUATION IN THE AMERICAN HORSESHOE CRAB (LIMULUS POLYPHEMUS)

  Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine · 2024-12-16

  articleCorresponding

  ) was performed. Twenty HSC were examined once a month for 7 mon; this included a physical exam with a standardized scoring sheet, HR, morphometrics, and hemolymph evaluation with hemocyte count, copper concentration, and biochemistry panel. The HSC in this population had varying levels of external lesions at enrollment. All HSC were clinically and behaviorally stable over the study period, with no apparent differences in evaluated parameters in relation to degree of external lesions. Although the standardized scoring sheet was found to be helpful to complete the evaluation, the qualitative criteria potentially masks clinically important gradations in some parameters. HR ranged from 4 to 60 bpm, with high intra- and interindividual variability. Increased prosomal widths (PW) were found to be correlated with lower HR. Plots of weight (W) in grams divided by PW in centimeters are roughly linear, and W:PW shows promise as a method of body condition evaluation in a hard-shelled animal. Serial collection of ∼2 ml of hemolymph led to no appreciable clinical decline in any animal. Total protein levels were stable and higher than previously reported for HSC in managed care. Glucose values were stable throughout the study period, which is interpreted as reflecting adequate nutritional intake in the study animals. Further studies are needed to determine the clinical utility of standardized vertebrate biochemistry panels in invertebrate species.

  PublisherDOI

• Theileria orientalis Ikeda infection does not negatively impact growth performance or breeding soundness exam results in young beef bulls at bull test stations

  Frontiers in Veterinary Science · 2024-07-18 · 5 citations

  articleOpen access

  Introduction Theileria orientalis Ikeda genotype is an emerging cattle disease in the US. Since 2017, when T. orientalis Ikeda was discovered in beef cattle in two counties in Virginia, cattle infections have risen to include ~67% of Virginia counties and 14 states. Consistent with New Zealand studies, many infected herds in Virginia were &amp;gt;90% positive upon initial testing without overt evidence of infection. Central bull tests present a unique opportunity to study the effects of T. orientalis Ikeda infections, as bulls from multiple source herds are consolidated. The objective of this study was to determine if infection with T. orientalis Ikeda affected the average daily gain (ADG), adjusted yearling weight (AYW) and breeding soundness of bulls at two test stations in Virginia over a period of years. Materials and methods The bulls were fed and housed similarly to compare their growth performance and breeding soundness. For T. orientalis Ikeda testing, DNA was extracted from whole blood for quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results The number of bulls infected with T. orientalis Ikeda at initial delivery to the stations increased significantly over the years studied. Multivariable linear regression models, using Angus bulls from Virginia test stations, indicated no significant effect on ADG or AYW in bulls that became test positive during the test or were positive for the duration, compared to Angus bulls that were negative for the duration. At LOC A, the odds of passing a breeding soundness exam (BSE) were not significantly different for bulls that turned positive during the test or were positive for the duration, compared to bulls that were negative for the duration of the test. At LOC B, bulls that became positive during the test were 2.4 times more likely (95% CI: 1.165–4.995, p = 0.016) to pass their BSE compared to bulls that remained negative throughout the test. Discussion We do not suppose that an obscured infection of T. orientalis Ikeda is protective for bulls to pass a BSE. However, this study demonstrates an obscured infection of T. orientalis Ikeda does not negatively affect weight gain or achievement of a satisfactory BSE rating at the central bull test stations in Virginia.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Career stage differences in mental health symptom burden and help seeking among veterinarians during COVID-19

  Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association · 2023-03-13 · 4 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  OBJECTIVE: To explore veterinarians' mental health symptom burden during COVID-19 and identify differences in symptom burden, social support, help seeking, and incentives and barriers associated with receiving help across career stages. SAMPLE: Online survey responses from 266 veterinarians between June 4 and September 8, 2021. PROCEDURES: Respondents were grouped by career stage (early [< 5 years of experience], middle [5 to 19 years of experience], or late [≥ 20 years of experience]), and results were compared across groups. RESULTS: Of the 262 respondents who reported years of experience, 26 (9.9%) were early career, 130 (49.6%) were midcareer, and 106 (40.4%) were late career. The overall mean anxiety and depression symptom burden score was 3.85 ± 3.47 (0 to 2 = normal; 3 to 5 = mild; 6 to 8 = moderate; and 9 to 12 = severe), with 62 of 220 (28.1%) respondents reporting moderate to severe symptom burden. Most (164/206 [79.6%]) reported not accessing behavioral health providers, and of these, 53.6% (88/164) reported at least mild symptom burden. There were significant differences in both symptom burden and mental health help-seeking intentions across career stages, with early- and midcareer (vs late-career) veterinarians reporting higher symptom burden (P = .002) and midcareer (vs late-career) veterinarians reporting higher help-seeking intentions (P = .006). Barriers and incentives for seeking mental health care were identified. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings revealed differences in symptom burden and intentions to seek mental health care across veterinary career stages. Incentives and barriers identified serve to explain these career stage differences.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Veterinarians show resilience during COVID-19: challenges faced and successful coping strategies

  Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association · 2023-03-13 · 5 citations

  articleOpen access

  OBJECTIVE: To identify challenges veterinarians faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, explore how they coped, identify coping strategies associated with greater resilience, and determine incentives and barriers to performing healthy coping behaviors. SAMPLES: 266 surveys completed by veterinarians in the Potomac region. PROCEDURES: A cross-sectional survey was distributed electronically through veterinary medical boards and professional associations between June and September 2021. RESULTS: Most survey responses came from veterinarians working in Maryland (128/266 [48%]) and Virginia (63/266 [24%]) who were predominantly white (186/266 [70%]), female (162/266 [61%]), and working in small-animal clinical practice (185/266 [70%]). The greatest workplace challenges experienced were increased workloads (195/266 [73%]) and reevaluating existing workflows (189/266 [71%]). Separation from loved ones (161/266 [61%]) was the greatest personal challenge. Of the veterinarians who completed the 10-point Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (n = 219), which measures resilience on a scale from 0 (no resilience) to 40 (greatest resilience), the mean score was 29.6 (SD, 6.9), with a median of 30 (IQR = 10). Intrinsic factors most strongly associated with greater resilience were increasing age (P = .01) and later career stage (P = .002). Job satisfaction, autonomy, good work-life balance, and approach-focused coping strategies were positively associated with resilience. Overwhelmingly, the primary reported barrier to performing healthy coping behaviors was limited time to devote to self-care (177/266 [67%]). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A combination of individual approach-focused coping strategies and organizational interventions are crucial to support a resilient veterinary workforce.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• A Wave of Depression: Implications for College Student Mental Health

  Journal of College Student Mental Health · 2023-04-17 · 1 citations

  article

  We examined trends in depression among 17-year-olds to understand the contribution of incoming students to the demand for collegiate mental health services. Seventeen-year-olds (N = 32,325) from the National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) for 2008 to 2019 were included. The proportion of 17-year- olds reporting depression during their lifetime, during the past year, or for the first time in the past year were determined for each year. Rates of depression remained similar from 2008 to 2012 (lifetime, 17%; current year, 11%; incident cases, 5%) followed by the onset of a significantly growing wave, almost doubling by 2019, reaching 30% (lifetime), 21% (current year) and 9% (incident cases). This wave shows that depression emerges before college for a high proportion of youth. Collegiate mental health must focus on this wave among arriving students, in addition to programs for the much smaller new incidence of depression that emerges during college.

  PublisherDOI

• Subsewershed SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Surveillance and COVID-19 Epidemiology Using Building-Specific Occupancy and Case Data

  ACS ES&T Water · 2022 · 18 citations

  • Biology
  • Veterinary medicine
  • Virology

  ). Our findings highlight the use of building-specific occupancy data and add to the evidence for the potential of wastewater-based epidemiology to predict COVID-19 trends at subsewershed scales.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• EID: Modeling Ecology, Dynamics and Spatial Spread of Raccoon Rabies

  NSF · $1.2M · 2004–2009

Frequent coauthors

• Cathy L. Greenfield

  University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

  20 shared

• Carmel Witte

  Freeport-McMoRan (United States)

  18 shared

• Rodney A. Moxley

  University of Nebraska–Lincoln

  17 shared

• Kevin K. Lahmers

  Virginia–Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

  17 shared

• Terry J. Klopfenstein

  University of Nebraska–Lincoln

  14 shared

• S. Michelle Todd

  Virginia–Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

  13 shared

• Ann L. Johnson

  University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

  13 shared

• T.F. Lock

  Illinois College

  12 shared

Labs

• Communications TeamPI