Dr. Lowenstine is a veterinary pathologist engaged in research on infectious diseases (primarily herpesvirus infections) and immunology of marine mammals. Current emphasis is on the relative roles of herpesviruses, contaminants and immunogenetics in the development of endemic urogenital cancer in California sea lions. The lab has the capability for standard and quantitative PCR, cloning, sequencing, immunoblotting, ELISA and many other molecular and serologic techniques. In addition, Dr. Lowenstine maintains a histopathology service and data base to determine causes of morbidity and mortality for marine mammals that strand on the California Coast , endangered primates (primarily gorillas, orangutans and bonobos), Sumatran rhinoceroses and thick billed parrots, least terns, and marbled murrelets. Evaluation of immunohistochemical reagents and other tools to address health problems in these species is another emphasis of the lab. Please contact Dr. Lowenstine at ljlowenstine@ucdavis.edu for further information.