Dr. Nina Hansen, DVM, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor Veterinary Physiology

Head Veterinarian Yukon Quest and Copper Basin 300 Sled Dog Races

Research and teaching interests:

I am interested in zoonotic disease and pathogen discovery in Alaskan wildlife. I am particularly interested in bacterial disease. I completed my Ph.D. right here at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and much of that work went to investigating bacterial causes of embryo mortality in greater white-fronted geese. I also developed a method for quantifying total mercury concentration in whole blood using blood dried on cellulose filter papers. My current postdoctoral research is focused on understanding the status of the disease leptospirosis in Alaskan caribou and reindeer.

I currently teach the first year veterinary physiology (VM618) course, and co-teach the four “Foundations in Veterinary Medicine” courses. Prior to my Ph.D I was a small animal practitioner for three years, which allows me to bring a clinical perspective to my physiology instruction, and allows me to teach clinical techniques in the Foundations courses. Additionally, I am into sled dogs, and am the head veterinarian for two races in the state (the Yukon Quest and Copper Basin 300). I offer opportunities for upper level veterinary students to accompany me to these races and learn about sled dog field medicine.

Education:
2015 Ph.D. Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks: Thesis "Novel Methods of Disease Surveillance in Wildlife"
2007 DVM, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2003 B.S. Animal Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Professional Experience:
July 2015 - Present: Postdoctoral Instructor and Researcher, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Alaska Fairbanks.
June 2014 - Present: Head Veterinarian, Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race, Fairbanks, Alaska.
July 2007 - August 2010: Associate Veterinarian, Mt. McKinley Animal Hospital, Fairbanks, Alaska.

Licensing:
State of Alaska Veterinary License #571
USDA-APHIS National Accreditation Number #020812

Publications:
Hansen CM, M Clark, K Walker, D Burton, K Hautala. PCR and serologic surveillance for Leptospira in Alaskan caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus). Manuscript in preparation.

Klejka JJ, H Sfraga, CM Hansen, E Himschoot, D Lyons, RF Hare, BW Meixell, C Van Hemert, K Hueffer. Genetic characterization and antibiotic resistance of Streptococcus uberis isolates from bird eggs on the North slope of Alaska. Manuscript in preparation.

Frye CW, CM Hansen, K Gendron, DFJ von Pfiel. 2018. Successful medical management and rehabilitation of exercise-induced dorsal scapular luxation in an ultramarathon endurance sled dog with magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis of grade II serratus ventralis strain. Can Vet J 59(12):1329-1332.

Gamble LJ, CW Frye, CM Hansen, JW Locasale, X Liu, MS Davis, JJ Wakshlag. 2018. Serum metabolomics of Alaskan sled dogs during endurance racing. Comp Exer Phys 14(3):149-159. doi: 10.3920/CEP1800100

Frye CW, Mann S, Joseph J, CM Hansen, Sass B, Wakshlag J. 2018. Serum biochemistry and inflammatory cytokines in racing endurance sled dogs with and without rhabdomyolysis. Front Vet Sci 5:145. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00145

Devall VC, Goggs R, Hansen CM , Frye CW, Letendre JA, Brunke M, Wakshlag JJ. 2018. Serum myoglobin, creatinine kinase, and cell free DNA in endurance sled dogs and sled dogs with clinical rhabdomyolysis. J Vet Emerg Crit Care doi: 10.1111/vec.12731

Hansen CM, KB Beckmen. 2018 Butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine for the immobilization of captive caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) in Alaska, USA. J Wildl Dis 54(3). doi: 10.7589/2017-12-312.

Hansen CM , E Himschoot, BW Meixell, C Van Hemert, K Hueffer. 2017. Neisseria arctica sp. nov., isolated from nonviable eggs of greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons) in Arctic Alaska. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 67:1115-1119. doi: 10.1099/ijsem.0.001773.

Brunke MW, CW Frye, CB Levine, CM Hansen, JJ Wakshlag. 2016. Insulin-like growth factor-1 and selected insulin-like growth factor binding protein concentrations during and ultra-marathon sled dog race. Scientific World J 5686372.

Hansen CM , B Meixell, C Van Hemert, RF Hare, K Hueffer. 2015. Microbial infections are associated with embryo mortality in Arctic-nesting geese. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 81(16):5583-5592.

Hansen CM , K Hueffer, SC Choi, J Chen. 2015. Draft genome sequence of a taxonomically unique Neisseria species isolated from a greater white-fronted goose ( Anser albifrons ) egg on the North slope of Alaska. Genome Announcements 4(3):e00772-15.

Hansen CM , K Hueffer, F Gulland, RS Wells, BC Balmer, JM Castellini, TM O’Hara.  2014.  Use of cellulose filter paper to quantify whole blood mercury in two marine mammals: Validation study.  Journal of Wildlife Diseases 50(2):271-278.

Hansen CM , AJ Vogler, P Keim, DM Wagner, K Hueffer.  2011.  Tularemia in Alaska, 1938-2010.  Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 53:61.

Hansen CM , BK Hartup, OD Gonzalez, DE Lyman, H Steinberg.  2008.  West Nile Encephalitis in a Captive Florida Sandhill Crane.  Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop.  10:115-118.