Elizabeth R. Magden, D.V.M, M.S., DACLAM
Department of Comparative Medicine, Division of Discovery Science
About Dr. Elizabeth R. Magden
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Secondary Clinical Veterinarian, SPF Baboon Biomedical Research Resource, Department of Comparative Medicine, Division of Discovery Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Primary Clinical Veterinarian, Center for Chimpanzee Care, Department of Comparative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, Texas
Attending Veterinarian, Department of Comparative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Associate Professor, Department of Comparative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Comparative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, Texas
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2011 | Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, US, Master of Science -Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology |
| 2011 | Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, Fort Collins, Colorado, US, Medical Acupuncture for Veterinarians, certified Veterinary Medical Acupuncturist |
| 2008 | Colorado State University - College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences, Fort Collins, Colorado, US, Veterinary Medicine, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine |
| 2001 | Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa, US, Bachelor of Science - Biology |
Postgraduate Training
| 2011-2013 | Veterinary Fellow, Nonhuman Primate Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, Texas |
| 2008-2011 | Clinical Residency, Laboratory Animal Medicine, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2013 | Diplomate, American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine |
| 2011 | Veterinary Medical License (TX) |
| 2009 | Veterinary Medical License (CO) |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Department of Comparative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, Texas, 2013 - 2019
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Change Advocate Network Representative, Department of Comparative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2025 - Present
Steward, WEEDN Endowment for Veterinary Medical Education, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025 - Present
Veterinary Education and Training (VET) Committee, Chair, Department of Comparative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - Present
Attending Veterinarian, Department of Comparative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, Texas, 2020 - Present
Project Director, Department of Comparative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, Texas, 2020 - Present
Section Chief, Department of Comparative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, Texas, 2019 - Present
Special Topics Seminar Coordinator, Department of Comparative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, Texas, 2015 - Present
Campus Coordinator for Web Conferences, Department of Comparative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, Texas, 2013 - Present
Other Professional Positions
National Scientific Advisory Board Member, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon, 2023 - Present
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
Chair, Clinical Veterinarian, Faculty Search Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025 - Present
Member, Veterinary Education and Training, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2014 - Present
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, IACUC Post-Approval Monitoring (PAM) Subcommittee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022 - Present
Veterinary Reviewer/Attending Veterinarian, IACUC Member/IACUC Executive Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - Present
Executive Member, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - Present
Member, Veterinary Medical Database Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2016 - Present
Member, Faculty Academic Review Committee (FARC), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2015 - Present
Editorial Activities
Co-Editor, Handbook of Primate Behavioral Management, 2nd ed, 2025
Co-Editor, Veterinary Sciences Journal, 2024
Co-Editor, Special Topic Issue of Veterinary Sciences Journal, The Interface between Veterinary Management and Behavioral Management for Captive Nonhuman Primates, 2024
Honors & Awards
| 2009 | Dr. Virgil and Mitzy H. Yount Postgraduate Veterinary Medicine Scholarship, Colorado State University |
| 2006 | ACLAM Veterinary Externship Award, American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2025. The Efficacy of Laser Therapy in Wound Repair: A Meta-Analysis. Journal Club/KCCMR Faculty Seminar. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2020. Laboratory Animal Veterinarians – how we can improve the welfare of animals. Public Education and Training Event, Career Exploration Day (TX A&M University Students). Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2019. Compassion Fatigue – why veterinarians and their staff are at high risk. KCCMR Faculty Seminar. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2019. Treatment of mammary tumors with low level laser therapy (LLLT). Cattlemen for Cancer Research Fundraising Event. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2019. The National Center for Chimpanzee Care (NCCC) and the Michale E. Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research, Program Overview. Public Education and Training Event. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2019. Laboratory Animal Veterinarians: How we care for the animals that help care for us!. Public Education and Training Event, Smithville Elementary Career Day. Smithville, Texas, US.
- 2019. Laboratory Animal Veterinarians – how we can improve the welfare of animals. Public Education and Training Event, AggieExtern Day. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2018. Laboratory Animal Veterinarians, how we care for the animals that help us and the importance of animals in research. Public Education and Training Event. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2018. Laboratory Animal Veterinarians: How we care for the animals that help care for us!. Smithville Elementary Career Day, Public Education and Training Event. Smithville, Texas, US.
- 2018. A Career as a Laboratory Animal Veterinarian. Smithville High School Career Day, Public Education and Training Event (500 students). Smithville, Texas, US.
- 2018. Aggie Extern Day. TX A&M University Students, Public Education and Training Event. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2017. Workshop: An introduction to Acupuncture in Laboratory Animal Medicine. Conference. Neurophysiological Aspects of Acupuncture. Austin, Texas, US.
- 2017. Laboratory Animal Veterinarians: how we care for the animals that help us make medical advances. Elgin High School Veterinary Medical Applications Class, Public Education and Training Event. Elgin, Texas, US.
- 2017. Laboratory Animal Veterinarians: animals in biomedical research. Public Education and Training Event, Taylor High School Veterinary Medical Applications class. Taylor, Texas, US.
- 2017. Bastrop ISD Health Science Class. Public Education and Training Event. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2017. Aggie Extern Day. TX A&M University Students, Public Education and Training Event. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2017. Interview with eight 5th-6th grade students from Round Rock ISD via video conference. Public Education and Training Event. Round Rock, Texas, US.
- 2016. Veterinary medicine and nonhuman primates. Public Education and Training Event, Shadowglen Elementary Career Day. Manor, Texas, US.
- 2016. Positive Reinforcement Training and Veterinary Medicine. Public Education and Training Event, Smithville Junior High Career Day. Smithville, Texas, US.
- 2016. Careers in Laboratory Animal Medicine. Public Education and Training Event, Smithville High School Career Day. Smithville, Texas, US.
- 2016. Positive Reinforcement Training and Health Care in Nonhuman Primates. Conference. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2016. Good - A celebration of animal technicians at the Keeling Center. AALAS Animal Technician Week. Bastrop, Texas, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2023. Animals in Biomedical Research + Tour for MD Anderson Ethics Interns. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2022. Animals in Biomedical Research. Virtual Webinar for MD Anderson Ethics Interns. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2021. Laboratory Animals in Biomedical Research + Virtual Tour for MD Anderson Ethics Interns. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2021. KCCMR Virtual Tour + Discussion for Texas A&M Pre-Vet Students. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2020. KCCMR Virtual Tour for MDA Ethics Interns. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2018. Needles and LASERS: The Science of Acupuncture and Laser therapy and how we use it to improve NHP care. Conference. ASP Annual Workshop. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2018. Acupuncture and Laser Therapy. Conference. Primate Care Committee Seminar, ASP Workshop. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2018. Quality of Life Assessments in Captive Nonhuman Primates. Conference. TBAALAS Conference. College Station, TX, US.
- 2017. Adding Tools to our Health Care Kit: Positive Reinforcement Training, Acupuncture, and Laser Therapy in Nonhuman Primates. Texas A&M Veterinary Laboratory Animal Medicine class. College Station, TX, US.
- 2017. Laser & Cancer: The Effects of LLLT on Oncogenesis in vivo. Conference. TBAALAS Conference. Sugarland, TX, US.
- 2016. Acupuncture, Laser, and Chimpanzees. Texas A&M Veterinary Laboratory Animal Club. College Station, TX, US.
- 2016. Assessing cardiac arrhythmias in a chimpanzee using an implantable loop recorder, acupuncture, and laser therapy. Conference. TBAALAS Conference. Arlington, TX, US.
- 2016. Positive Reinforcement Training and Health Care in nonhuman primates. TBAALAS Conference. Arlington, TX, US.
National Presentations
- 2025. APV Workshop Summary Presentation. APV Conference. Huntington Beach, CA, US.
- 2024. A Mother’s Touch: A Comparison ofr Nursery- vs. Mother-Reared Captive Baboons. Conference. ASP Conference, Mexico, US.
- 2024. Acupuncture and LASER: The Science and How We Use it to Improve NHP Care. ACLAM Forum. Myrtle Beach, SC, US.
- 2024. The Use of PRT, Acupuncture, and Laser Therapy to Improve NHP Health Care in a Research Facility, US.
- 2024. Positive Reinforcement Training and Health Care in NHPs. Conference. Primate Behavioral Management Conference, US.
- 2023. APV Workshop Recap. APV Conference. Salt Lake City, Utah, US.
- 2023. Training for Specialized Veterinary Treatments (Virtual). Invited. Winston Salem, NC, US.
- 2023. Training for Specialized Veterinary Treatments. Conference. ASP Workshop. Reno, Nevada, US.
- 2023. Positive Reinforcement Training (PRT) to Elicit Voluntary Presentation for Subcutaneous Injection of a Series of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines to captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Conference. ASP Conference. Reno, NV, US.
- 2023. The Evolution of a Quality of Life Program for Nonhuman Primates. Conference. ASP Conference. Reno, NV, US.
- 2022. APV Workshop Recap. Conference. APV Banquet. Lexington, KY, US.
- 2022. Primate Shortages: Both NHP and Your Colleague Next Door. Conference. APV Conference. Lexington, KY, US.
- 2022. Animals in Biomedical Research. Invited. Bastrop, TX, US.
- 2021. Training for Veterinary Procedures as a Form of Enrichment. Conference. ASP Conference. Oklahoma City, OK, US.
- 2021. Improving Primate Care with Acupuncture and Laser Therapy. Conference, NC, US.
- 2021. Virtual Tour and Presentation on Laboratory Animals in Biomedical Research. Conference. UT MD Anderson Ethics Interns, US.
- 2020. Shining a Light on Laser Therapy. Conference. National ASLAP CE Seminar on Pain Management, Virtual Webinar. Virtual Webinar, US.
- 2020. Positive Reinforcement Training, Acupuncture, and Health Care in Nonhuman Primates. Invited. Salt Lake City, UT, US.
- 2020. Shining a Light on Laser Therapy. Invited. Salt Lake CIty, UT, US.
- 2019. Workshop: An introduction to Acupuncture in Laboratory Animal Medicine. Conference. Denver, CO, US.
- 2019. AALAS Conference Platform: Animal Welfare, Training, and the 3Rs. Conference. The Role of Positive Reinforcement Training in Veterinary Care: Improving Welfare One Grape at a Time. Denver, CO, US.
- 2019. Positive Reinforcement Training and Health Care in NHPs. Conference. Primate Behavioral Management Conference. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2018. Positive Reinforcement Training and Health Care in NHPs. Conference. Primate Behavioral Management Conference. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2017. Laser Treatment in Nonhuman Primates. Invited. Virtual Grand Rounds, NHPRC Training Consortium, US.
- 2016. Acupuncture, Laser, and Chimps: Improving NHP Welfare by Adding Integrative Techniques to the Health Care Plan. Conference. Charlotte, NC, US.
- 2016. Workshop: An introduction to Acupuncture in Laboratory Animal Medicine. Conference. Charlotte, NC, US.
- 2016. Basic Biology of Commonly Used Nonhuman Primate Models. Invited. Charles River Laboratories Short Course. Providence, RI, US.
- 2016. Common Infectious Agents of Laboratory Primates. Invited. Charles River Laboratories Short Course. Providence, RI, US.
International Presentations
- 2025. Positive Reinforcement Training and Veterinary Care. Invited. Primate Management Conference Mauritius, MU.
- 2025. Complementary Therapeutics to treat osteoarthritis in Nonhuman Primates. Conference. International Primatology Society Annual Conference (in person). Antananarivo, MG.
- 2024. Neurodegeneration-related Plasma and CSF Biomarkers in Captive Olive Baboons (Papio anubis). ASP Conference, Mexico, US.
- 2023. Positive Reinforcement Training and Veterinary Health Care. Conference. International Primatology Society Annual Conference (Virtual). Bogor, ID.
- 2019. Use of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) to Treat Severe Wounding in a Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). Poster. Rio de Janeiro, BR.
- 2019. Welfare and Maintenance of Captive Nonhuman Primates. Conference. Rio de Janeiro, BR.
- 2019. Positive Reinforcement Training and Health Care in Nonhuman Primates. Conference. Rio de Janeiro, BR.
- 2019. Positive Reinforcement Training and Health Care in Nonhuman Primates. Conference. Rio de Janeiro, BR.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2024 - 2029 |
| Title: | Lifespan and cardiovascular health effects on the brain in humans and great apes |
| Funding Source: | NIH |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2020 - 2025 |
| Title: | Operation and Maintenance of the Chimpanzee Care Center (CCC) |
| Funding Source: | NIH |
| Role: | PI |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Neal SJ, Magden ER, Chitta S, Bisbal J, Simmons JH. Metabolic biomarkers in captive olive baboons (Papio Anubis): Characterization and relationships with biomarkers of neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Front. Aging Neurosci. e-Pub 2025.
- Achorn AM, Hodo CL, Hensel ME, Magden ER, Buchl SJ, Jones CL, Piatt EA, Hopkins WD. Brain-type natriuretic peptide is a useful biomarker of cardiovascular disease and predictor of cardiac-related mortality in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Am J Vet Res 86(3), 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39715590.
- Neal SJ, Chitta S, Magden ER, Simmons JH. Characterizing plasma and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers relevant to neurodegeneration in captive olive baboons (Papio anubis). PloS One 20(2), 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39946349.
- Magden ER, Nehete BP, Chitta S, Williams LE, Simmons JH, Abee C, Nehete PN. Comparative analysis of cellular immune responses in conventional and SPF olive baboons (papio anubis). Comp Med 70(2):160-169, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32014083.
- Nehete PN, Magden ER, Nehete BP, Williams LE, Abee C, Sastry JK. Age-and sex-associated differences in phenotypic and functional characteristics of peripheral blood lymphocytes in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Comp Med 56(5):509-519, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28903821.
- Beck A, Magden ER, Buchl SJ, Baze W. Malignant neoplasia of the sex skin in 2 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Comp Med 66(2):154-161, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27053571.
- Magden ER, Sleeper MM, Buchl SJ, Jones RA, Thiele E, Wilkerson GK. Use of an Implantable Loop Recorder in a Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) to Monitor Cardiac Arrhythmias and Assess the Effects of Acupuncture and Laser Therapy. Comp Med 66(1):52-58, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26884410.
Invited Articles
- Neal SJ, Schapiro SJ, Magden ER. Longitudinal baboon (Papio anubis) neutrophil to lymphocyte (NLR), and correlations with monthly sedation rate and within-group sedation order. Vet Sci 11(9):423, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39330802.
- Neal SJ, Schapiro SJ, Lambeth SP, Magden ER. Nursery- vs. mother-reared baboons: Reproductive success and health parameters. Vet Sci 11(9):416, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39330795.
- Magden ER, Neal Webb S, Lambeth SP, Buchl SJ, Schapiro SJ. The Effects of Oral Lavender Therapy on Wounding in Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Animals 13(8):1382, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37106945.
- Magden ER. Spotlight on acupuncture in laboratory animal medicine. Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports 8:53-58, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Chaffee, BK, Beck, A, Owston, MA, Kumar, S, Baze, W, Magden, ER, Dick, EJ, Lammey, ML, Abee, C. Spontaneous Reproductive Tract Lesions in Aged Captive Chimpanzees. Vet Pathol 53(2):425-435, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26823448.
Professional Educational Materials
- Magden ER. Acupuncture tips for nonhuman primates. APV Newsletter, 2013.
Other Articles
- Neal SJ, Whitney S, Magden ER, Simmons JH Hematologic parameters and growth curves for captive olive baboons (Papio anubis): Effects of viral status, sex, age, and rearing status. J. Med. Primatol.
- Hensel ME, Dysart S, Hopkins WD, Magden ER Pituitary lesions in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes): Clinical presentation and histologic characterization. Nat Sci Reports.
- Hopkins WD, Achorn A, Mulholland M, Magden ER, Schapiro SJ, Mangin JF, Meguerditchian A A comparative study of aging and cortical folding in chimpanzees and baboons. Neurobiol. of Aging.
Abstracts
- Schapiro SJ, Lambeth SP, Buchl SJ, Magden ER. Veterinary and Behavioral Management of Captive Chimpanzees. APS. e-Pub 2024.
- Magden ER, Buchl SJ. Use of low level laser therapy (LLLT) to treat severe wounding in a chimpanzee, 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Magden ER. Workshop: An introduction to Acupuncture in Laboratory Animal Medicine, Neurophysiological Aspects of Acupuncture. AALAS, Denver, CO, 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Magden ER. AALAS Conference Platform: Animal Welfare, Training, and the 3Rs. AALAS, Denver, CO, 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Magden ER. Quality of Life Assessments in Captive Nonhuman Primates. TBAALAS, College Station, TX, 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Magden ER. Workshop: An introduction to Acupuncture in Laboratory Animal Medicine, Neurophysiological Aspects of Acupuncture. AALAS, Austin, TX, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Magden ER. Laser & Cancer: The Effects of LLLT on Oncogenesis in vivo. TBAALAS, Sugarland, TX, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Magden ER. Acupuncture, Laser, and Chimps: Improving NHP Welfare by Adding Integrative Techniques to the Health Care Plan. Panel seminar series: Acupuncture Techniques and Its Application in Laboratory Animal Medicine, Charlotte, NC, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Magden ER. Workshop: An introduction to Acupuncture in Laboratory Animal Medicine, Neurophysiological Aspects of Acupuncture. Charlotte, NC, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Magden ER. Basic Biology of Commonly Used Nonhuman Primate Models. Charles River Laboratories Short Course, Providence, RI, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Magden ER. Common Infectious Agents of Laboratory Primates. Charles River Laboratories Short Course, Providence, RI, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Magden ER. Assessing cardiac arrhythmias in a chimpanzee using an implantable loop recorder, acupuncture, and laser therapy. TBAALAS, Arlington, TX, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Magden ER. Positive Reinforcement Training and Health Care in nonhuman primates. TBAALAS, Arlington, TX, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Achorn AM, Hopkins WD, Mulholland MM, Magden ER, Schapiro SJ, Fults C, Mangin JF, Meguerditchian A. Associations between Aging and Cortical Folding in Olive Baboons, Chimpanzees, and Humans: A Comparative Study. The 19th Annual Meeting of the Texas Association of Biological Anthropologists.
- Magden ER, Bridges J, Haller R, Schapiro SJ. Complementary therapeutics to treat osteoarthritis in nonhuman primates. International Primatological Society Conference.
- Magden ER. Positive Reinforcement Training and Health Care. Primate Management Conference Mauritius.
Book Chapters
- Chaffee BK, Magden ER. Reproductive tract lesions in aged nonhuman primates. In: Handbook of Models of Human Aging. 2nd ed. Academic Press, 2018.
- Schapiro SJ, Magden ER, Reamer L, Mareno MC, Lambeth SP. Behavioral training as part of the health care program. In: Management of Animal Care and Use Programs in Research, Teach, and Testing. 2, 2017.
- Magden ER and Schapiro SJ. Positive Reinforcement Training and Health Care. In: Handbook of Primate Behavioral Management. CRC Press, 2017.
- Magden ER, Mansfield KM, Simmons JH, Abee CR. Nonhuman Primates. In: Laboratory Animal Medicine, 3rd ed, 2015.
- Magden ER, Rivera S, Watson M. Chimpanzee Anesthesia. In: Manual of Nonhuman Primate Anesthesia, Analgesia, and Postoperative Care. CRC Press.
- Wachtman LM, Kezar S, Makaron L, Burns M, Magden ER. New World Primates. In: Laboratory Animal Medicine. 4.
- Magden ER, Hutchinson EK, Martin LD, Browning M, Mansfield K. Old World Primates. In: Laboratory Animal Medicine. 4.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified March 10, 2026