Biography

Dr. Shelton is an Associate Professor in the Department of Comparative Medicine at the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center. Her department is located at the Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research (KCCMR) in Bastrop, TX. She has worked with non-human primates (NHPs) for over 10 years with a focus on three areas of interest: 1) Non-clinical NHP and rodent studies in support of investigational new drugs, 2) Investigational HIV research in NHPs, and 3) Creation of a specific pathogen free (SPF) baboon (Papio anubis) colony. As a study veterinarian or study director, Dr. Shelton has supported over 60 studies at the Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research. A portion of these studies were conducted under the federal Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs) and required analysis of in-life data for tolerability and toxicity. Her work in the field of HIV research includes investigation of novel vaccines, development of implantable nanofluidic drug delivery devices, and exploration of a novel NHP model of HIV. In addition, she oversees the health, husbandry, and bioexclusion of the SPF Baboon Nursery with an average population of 50 animals ranging from neonates to juveniles. Dr. Shelton is a skilled surgeon, and as a member of clinical medicine section of the department, attends to the clinical care of the animals in the four KCCMR breeding and research resource colonies (SPF Rhesus, Squirrel Monkey, Owl Monkey, and SPF Baboon) as well as the Chimpanzees in the National Center for Chimpanzee Care.

Education & Training