Christopher Olsen is Associate Professor of Public Health in the Department of Pathobiological Sciences in the School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Olsen received both his DVM and PhD degrees from Cornell University. He teaches courses in veterinary virology and veterinary public health in the School of Veterinary Medicine. His research interests are focused on the molecular epidemiology and pathogenesis of influenza virus infections, public health aspects of influenza in animals and the genetic factors that control the spread of influenza viruses among people and animals. He also has strong interests in other zoonotic diseases, as well as epizootic foreign animal diseases. He has completed foreign animal disease training at the University of Pretoria in South Africa and at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center in New York, is the chairperson for foreign animal disease training courses held biennially at the UW-Madison, and serves on the International Affairs Committee of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges.

"Inter-relationships between people and animals are evident throughout the global community. In developed countries, animal agriculture is a major economic force and contributor to GNP. In developing countries, people directly acquire protein and energy nutrition, hides for clothing, medicinal products and draft power for pulling plows and wagons from their animals. In addition, animals can play important roles in the religious beliefs of indigenous peoples, and the human-animal bond is a strong source of psychological comfort for human beings everywhere. With a School of Veterinary Medicine as well as human medicine, nursing and pharmacy schools all located on the same campus, UW-Madison already provides a unique atmosphere where students and faculty can study and research problems common to animals and people and to bridge the gap between human and veterinary medicine. The development of the International Health Advisory Committee adds tremendous opportunities to integrate the activities of a diverse group of people at UW-Madison with interests in global health problems, to make connections with and learn from colleagues throughout the world, to enhance learning opportunities for students traveling from or to UW-Madison, and to promote the Wisconsin Idea to the world."