Dr. Robert G. Schaut earned his B.S. in Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology from Drake University and his PhD in Immunobiology from Iowa State University. At ISU he worked at the National Animal Disease Center located on the North side of Ames. His research focus was on the innate immune responses to respiratory viruses and comparing the differences between atypical/virulent field strains. His model organisms were the ovine and bovine model which expanded his appreciation for research models outside of the murine world. While in graduate school he studied macrophage function through flow based phagocytosis assays, signaling molecules JNK and p38 MAPK and cytokine production.

Rob is focused on the immune response to Leishmania infantum in the naturally infected canine model. His interests are with B cells and their impact on disease status through flow cytometry, gene expression and an occasional ELISA or western blot.