Don R. Bergfelt, MS, PhD

Dr. Don R. Bergfelt holds a Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in Veterinary Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Subsequent to graduation, Dr Bergfelt served as a post-doctoral fellow at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, a senior scientist at the school of veterinary medicine back in Wisconsin, study director of toxicological studies at a contract research organization in Wisconsin and Virginia, and a federal senior scientist and technical advisor at the US Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, DC.

Dr Bergfelt returned to academia in October 2014, joining Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) where he currently serves as Professor and Department Head of Biomedical Sciences. Apart from his administrative responsibilities to maintain day-to-day operations of the department and support respective faculty and staff, Dr Bergfelt provides lectures and labs in anatomy, physiology, endocrinology, and toxicology to the students.

Dr Bergfelt has 177 publications that include peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals, abstracts in proceedings from scientific meetings, and book chapters in veterinary reference texts. He has established collaborations with several major aquatic institutes and been awarded multiple internal/external in grants to support various studies in cetaceans and other marine mammals. Dr Bergfelt has mentored as supervisor or co-supervisor numerous graduate students for MSc or PhD degrees.

EDUCATION

BS Animal Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison
MS Veterinary Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison
PhD Veterinary Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Post-Doctoral Fellow, Reproductive Physiology, University of Saskatchewan

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Comparative physiology encompassing reproduction and metabolism across multiple terrestrial and aquatic mammals. Immuno-analysis and proteomics are used to gain a fundamental understanding of the impact various biological and physical events and environmental factors can have on the endocrine system in accord with the concept of One Health – animals humans, and the environment.

PUBLICATION HIGHLIGHTS (last 5 years)

McCormack, M., Fielding, R., Kiszka, J., Paz, V., Jackson, B., Bergfelt, D., Dutton, J. 2019. Mercury and selenium concentrations, and selenium:mercury molar ratios in small cetaceans taken off St. Vincent, West Indies. Environmental Research DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108908

Miller, B.A., Chapwanya, A., Kilminster, T., Scanlon, T., Milton, J., Osório, H., Oldham, C., Greeff, J., Bergfelt, D.R., Campos, A.M.O., Almeida, A.M. 2019. The ovine hepatic mitochondrial proteome: Understanding seasonal weight loss tolerance in two distinct breeds of sheep. PLOS ONE Feb 20;14(2):e0212580. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212580

Miller, B.A., Selevsek, N., Grossman, J., Kilminster, T., Scanlon, T., Daniels, M., Nanni, P., Milton, J., Oldham, C., Greef, J., Chapwanya, A., Bergfelt, D.R., and de Almeida, A. M. 2019. Ovine liver proteome: assessing mechanisms of seasonal weight loss tolerance between Merino and Damara sheep. Journal of Proteomics 191:180-190. DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2018.02.018

Bergfelt, D.R., Blum, J.L., Ratner, J.R., Ratto, M.H., O'Brien, J.K., Robeck, T.R. 2018. Preliminary evaluation of seminal plasma proteins and immunoreactivity of nerve growth factor as indicative of an ovulation-inducing factor in odontocetes. Journal of Zoo Biology 2(1):21-29.

Artemiou, E., Gilbert, G.E., Callanan, A., Marchi, S., Bergfelt, D.R. 2018. Mind body therapies: An intervention to reduce work-related stress in veterinary academia. Veterinary Record 183(19):596. DOI: 10.1136/vr.104815

Robeck, T.R., Blum, J.L., Steinman, K.J., Ratner, J.R., Bergfelt, D.B., O’Brien J.K. 2018. Longitudinal profiles of relaxin and progestogens during pregnancy, pregnancy loss and false pregnancies in the killer whale (Ocinus orca). General and Comparative Endocrinology 267:98-108. DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.06.008

Bergfelt, D.R., Lippolis, J., Vandenplas, M., Davis, S., Miller, B.A., Madan, R., Kline, M., Martinez, M., Sanchez-Okrucky, R., and de Almeida, A.M. 2018. Preliminary Analysis of the Proteome of Exhaled Breath Condensate in Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Aquatic Mammals 44:256-266.

Shero, M.R., Bergfelt, D.B., Testa, J.W. and Adams, G.P. 2018. Pairing ultrasonography with endocrinology to elucidate underlying mechanisms of successful pregnancy in the northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus). General and Comparative Endocrinology 255:78-89.

Peter, A.T., Beg, M.A, Ahmad, E., and Bergfelt, D.R. 2017. Trophoblast of domestic and companion animals: basic and applied clinical perspectives. Animal Reproduction 14(Suppl.1):1209-1224.

Miller, B.A., Nanni, P., Fortes, C., Grossmann, J., Arreola, M.R., Vences, M., Canales, R., Sanchez-Okrucky, R., de Almeida, A.M. and Bergfelt, D.R. 2017. Plasma proteome and clinical biochemistry associated with performance-based physical activity in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Aquatic Mammals 43:453-464.

Bergfelt, D.R., Blum, J., Steinetz, B.G., Steinman, K.J., O'Brien, J.K., and Robeck, T.R.. 2017. Relaxin as a hormonal aid to evaluate pregnancy and pregnancy loss in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). General and Comparative Endocrinology 242:24–29.

Segal, D., Makris, S.L., Kraft, A.D., Bale, A.S., Gilbert, M., Bergfelt, D.R., Raffaele, K.C., Blain, R.B., Fedak, K.M., Selgrade, M.K., and Crofton, K.M. 2015. Evaluation of the ToxRTool’s Ability to Rate the Reliability of Toxicological Data for Human Health Risk Assessments. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 72:94-101.