Fungal growths affect both human and animal well-being. Many natural pathogens of laboratory animals alter host physiology, rendering the host unsuitable for experimental uses. While the number and prevalence of few pathogens have declined considerably, many still turn up in laboratory animals and represent unwanted variables in research. Investigators using laboratory animals in biomedical experimentation should be aware of the profound effects that many of these agents can have on research. What does the future hold regarding the natural pathogens of laboratory animals? The selection of an animal model must carefully address issues of the type of human disease to mimic, the parameters to follow, and the collection of the appropriate data to answer those questions being asked. Overall, animal models of fungal infection will continue to deepen our understanding of how these infections occur. 

Dr. Arti Gupta is a Assistant Professor with the Department of Zoology, Sri Avadh Raj Singh Smarak Degree College, Bishunpur Bairiya, Gonda, India. She received her B.Sc. in Botany, Zoology, and Chemistry in 2001 and M.Sc. in Biotechnology in 2003 from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, India, as well as her Ph.D. from Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University, Bareilly, India in 2010 in Animal Science. Dr. Gupta started her career in 2004 with teaching graduate and post graduate students of Biotechnology from D.A.V. (P.G.) College, Muzaffarnagar. In 2005, she was appointed a research internship at the Central Drug Research Institute, Uttar Pradesh. In 2010, she was appointed as Teaching Associate at the Govind Ballabh Pant Engineering College, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. In 2012, she worked as Scientist with Sun Agrigenetics Pvt. Ltd., Vadodara, Gujarat and has 9 years of teaching and 11 years of research experience in the fields of animal biotechnology, molecular plant biotechnology, molecular animal biotechnology, bioprocess technology, and microbiology. Dr. Gupta has published one monograph and 21 national and international research papers, has attended 36 national and international symposia, seminars, conferences and workshops and is currently editing a few Springer Nature books. Dr. Gupta has been awarded University Topper (Gold Medal), M.Sc. (Biotech.) from Ch.C.S.University, Meerut, Young Scientist Award (Gold Medal) awarded by the Zoological Society of India, Lucknow, Best Poster Presenter awarded by Asian Journal of Experimental Science, Jaipur, Best Poster Presenter awarded by International Consortium of Contemporary Biologists (ICCB) and Madhawai-Shyam Educational Trust, Ranchi, Fellowship Award awarded by International Consortium of Contemporary Biologist (FICCB) and Madhawi Shayam Educational Trust (FMSET) and Dr. V.P. Agarwal Gold Medal awarded by D.A.V. (P.G.) College, Muzaffarnagar. Dr. Arti has lifetime memberships with the Indian Science Congress Association, Biotech Research Society of India, Zoological Society of India and International Consortium of Contemporary Biologists.

Dr. Nagendra Pratap Singh is a leading researcher and assistant professor with the Department of Zoology, K.S. Saket P.G. College, Ayodhya, Faizabad (affiliated with Dr. RamManohar Lohia Avadh University, Faizabad), Uttar Pradesh, India. He has experience and expertise in the areas of fish biology and fungal disease in fishes and other animals. He has been awarded his Ph.D. degree in Fish Biology from Dr. RamManohar Lohia Avadh University, Faizabad. His work focused on 'Studies on Taxonomy, Ecology and Biological traits of fresh water catfish Mystus vitattus (Bloch.) in Ghaghra Belt of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India'. He served as a graduate in Botany and Zoology and a post-graduate in Zoology in the year 2004 and 2002 respectively from K.S. Saket P.G. College, Ayodhya, Faizabad. He has published a dozen research articles in national and international journals of repute. He is active member of the Academy of Innovative Research, Bemawal, Ambedkar Nagar, district in U.P- 224181 (India), and the Purvanchal Academy of Science, Jaunpur, U.P, India. He is also a member of the Advisory Committee in National Conference on Climate and Environmental Changes: Impact, Challenges and Solutions sponsored by CST, U.P, India.