Emeritus Research Director
Email: jblasco@unizar.es
DVM (1978) and PhD (1986). Since 1982-2019 (retired) was the head of the Brucellosis research laboratory at CITA (Zaragoza; SPAIN). His group developed scientific research focused to: i) Develop methods for direct and indirect diagnosis of animal Brucellosis; ii) study of Brucella virulence factors in animal models; iii) Development and evaluation of brucellosis vaccines, and iv) Epidemiology of the disease. He has worked with numerous national (e.g, Universities of Zaragoza, Navarra, Leon, Murcia, Madrid, Cantabria, Lugo, Salamanca and Barcelona) and international universities and research institutions (e.g, INRA -France-, Univ. of Namur -Belgium-, Karolinska Institut -Sweden-, ANSES -France-, Cornell University -USA-, Univ. de la Plata and INTA -Argentina-, Universidad de Costa Rica). Main researcher of over 20 national and international research projects. Author of over 150 scientific articles and 18 book chapters. As a brucellosis expert he has participated in many national and international scientific and technical committees (e.g., EU Brucellosis Vaccines Working Group, EU Working group in B. melitensis, EFSA Bovine Brucellosis Working Group, EU DISCONTOOLS FP 7, EFSA Porcine Brucellosis working group). Member of the OIE Brucellosis expert panel since 2002. Consultant of the WHO/PAHO and FAO since 1989, conducting many technical missions in the North of Africa, Middle East and Far East. As EU consultant he has conducted also many international missions dealing with brucellosis control. Some examples are projects in Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina, Macedonia, Argentina, Uruguay, Mongolia, Kosovo, China, Brasil, Paraguay, Mozambique, Uganda, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Kenia and Uzbekistan. Is a regular collaborator of the Universidad de Zaragoza, Agronomic Institute of Mediterranean Studies (IAMZ) and Institute of Tropical Health (Navarra University) in lectures and organization and teaching of training courses on brucellosis. Directly involved in the planning and execution of the brucellosis eradication programs in Aragon and other Spanish regions.
