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Western College of Veterinary Medicine

Research Area(s)

  • Honey bee health and sustainability of agriculture

Academic Credentials

  • DVM, University of Belgrade, Yugoslavia
  • DVSc, University of Guelph
  • Diplomate American College of Veterinary Pathologists
  • Since 1998, Dr. Simko has coordinated and co-instructed all core anatomic pathology courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels for various numbers of years. 
  • Dr. Simko contributes to the necropsy and biopsy services offered by Prairie Diagnostic Services, and consults/collaborates with researchers in areas of investigative pathology. 

Research Interests

  • Dr. Simko's research and publications have included various aspects of comparative pathology, innate immunity, pathogenesis of infectious diseases and evidence-based diagnostic pathology. Recently, he expanded his research into honey bee health and sustainability of agriculture.

Publications

  • Bairos-Novak, K.R., Crane, A.L., Achtymichuk, G.H., Hsin, J., Rivera-Hernández, I.A.E., Simko, O.M., Wrynn, T.E., Chivers, D.P., Ferrari, M.C.O.  2020.  Forget the audience: tadpoles release similar disturbance cues regardless of kinship or familiarity.  Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 74(12): 147.  https://www.doi.org/10.1007/s00265-020-02936-8

  • Lopez-Rodriguez, M.F., Cymbaluk, N., Epp, T., Laarveld, B., Serrano Recalde, E.C., Simko, E., Card, C.  2020.  Effects of the glucosinolate sinigrin in combination with a noniodine supplemented diet on serum iodine and thyroid hormone concentrations in nonpregnant mares.  Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 91: 103110.  https://www.doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103110

  • Wood, S.C., Chalifour, J.C., Kozii, I.V., de Mattos, I.M., Klein, C.D., Zabrodski, M.W., Moshynskyy, I., Guarna, M.M., Veiga, P.W., Epp, T., Simko, E.  2020.  In vitro effects of pesticides on European foulbrood in honeybee larvae.  Insects, 11(4): 252.  https://www.doi.org/10.3390/insects11040252

  • Wood, S.C., de Mattos, I.M., Kozii, I.V., Klein, C.D., Dvylyuk, I., Folkes, C.D.A., de Carvalho Macedo Silva, R., Moshynskyy, I., Epp, T., Simko, E.  2020.  Effects of chronic dietary thiamethoxam and prothioconazole exposure on Apis mellifera worker adults and brood.  Pest Management Science, 76(1): 85-94.  https://www.doi.org/10.1002/ps.5501

  • Wood, S.C., Kozii, I.V., de Mattos, I.M., Silva, R.C.M., Klein, C.D., Dvylyuk, I., Moshynskyy, I., Epp, T., Simko, E.  2020.  Chronic high-dose neonicotinoid exposure decreases overwinter survival of Apis mellifera L.  Insects, 11(1): 30.  https://www.doi.org/10.3390/insects11010030

  • Yoshimura, S., Koziy, R.V., Dickinson, R., Moshynskyy, I., McKenzie, J.A., Simko, E., Bracamonte, J.L.  2020.  Use of serum amyloid a in serum and synovial fluid to detect eradication of infection in experimental septic arthritis in horses.  Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, 84(3): 198-204.

  • Zabrodski, M.W., Wilson, G., Moshynskyy, I., Wentzell, A., Wood, S.C., Klein, C.D., Kozii, I.V., De Mattos, I.M., Epp, T., Simko, E.  2020.  Investigation of clinical outbreaks of American foulbrood in honey-bee operations in Saskatchewan.  Canadian Veterinary Journal, 61(10): 1055-1059.

  • Koziy, R.V., Wood, S.C., Kozii, I.V., van Rensburg, C.J., Moshynskyy, I., Dvylyuk, I., Simko, E.  2019.  Deformed wing virus infection in honey bees (Apis mellifera L.).  Veterinary Pathology, 56(4): 636-641.  https://www.doi.org/10.1177/0300985819834617

  • Koziy, R.V., Yoshimura, S., Dickinson, R., Rybicka, J.M., Moshynskyy, I., Ngeleka, M., Bracamonte, J.L., Simko, E.  2019.  Use of standard diagnostic techniques to determine eradication of infection in experimental equine septic arthritis.  Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, 83(1): 24-33.

  • Wood, S.C., Kozii, I.V., Koziy, R.V., Epp, T., Simko, E.  2018.  Comparative chronic toxicity of three neonicotinoids on New Zealand packaged honey bees.  PLoS ONE, 13(1): e0190517.  https://www.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0190517

  • Amat, S., Hendrick, S., Moshynskyy, I., Simko, E.  2017.  Reduced activities of thiamine-dependent and cytochrome c oxidase enzymes in cerebral cortex of cattle affected by sulfur-induced polioencephalomalacia.  Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, 81(4): 242-248.

  • Garg, R., Latimer, L., Wang, Y., Simko, E., Gerdts, V., Potter, A., van Drunen Littel-van den Hurk, S.  2016.  Maternal immunization with respiratory syncytial virus fusion protein formulated with a novel combination adjuvant provides protection from RSV in newborn lambs.  Vaccine, 34(2): 261-269.  https://www.doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.11.029

  • McGregor, G.F., Sheehan, K., Simko, E.  2016.  Pneumonia and gastritis in a cat caused by feline herpesvirus-1.  Canadian Veterinary Journal, 57(2): 147-150.

  • Novakovic, P., Charavaryamath,, C., Moshynskyy, I., Lockerbie, B., Kaushik,, R.S., Loewen, M.E., Kidney, B.A., Stuart, C., Simko, E.  2015.  Evaluation of inhibition of F4ac positive Escherichia coli attachment with xanthine dehydrogenase, butyrophilin, lactadherin and fatty acid binding protein. BMC Veterinary Research, 11: 238. https://www.doi.org/10.1186/s12917-015-0528-0

  • Meachem, M.D., Snead, E.R., Kidney, B.A., Jackson, M.L., Dickinson, R., Larson, V., Simko, E.  2015.  A comparative proteomic study of plasma in feline pancreatitis and pancreatic carcinoma using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis for the identification of diagnostic biomarkers: a pilot study.  Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, 79(3): 184-189.

  • Scott, S.J., Elliot, K., Philibert, H., Summers, B.A., Dale, G., Singh, B., Simko, E.  2015.  An unusual lipomatous brain mass in a Golden Retriever dog.  Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 27(6): 772-776.  https://doi.org/10.1177/1040638715608216

  • Mills, S.W., Musil, K.M., Davies, J.L., Hendrick, S., Duncan, C., Jackson, M.L., Kidney, B., Philibert, H., Wobeser, B.K., Simko, E.  2015.  Prognostic value of histologic grading for feline mammary carcinoma: A retrospective survival analysis. Veterinary Pathology, 52: 238-249.  https://doi.org/10.1177/0300985814543198 

  • Novakovic, P., Huang, Y.Y., Lockerbie, B., Shahriar, F., Kelly, J., Gordon, J.R., Middleton, D.M., Loewen, M.E., Kidney, B.A., Simko, E.  2015.  Identification of Escherichia coli F4ac-binding proteins of porcine milk fat globule membrane. Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, 79(2): 120-128.

  • Amat, S., McKinnon, J.J., Simko, E., Hendrick, S.  2014.  Evaluation of feeding corn or wheat dried distillers’ grains with solubles on animal health of finishing feedlot steers.  Canadian Journal of Animal Science, 94(3): 525-531.  https://doi.org/10.4141/cjas2013-182

  • Elliot, K., MacDonald-Dickinson, V., Linn, K., Simko, E., Misra, V.  2014.  Increase in gene-transcript levels as indicators of up-regulation of the unfolded protein response in spontaneous canine tumors. Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, 78(3): 161-167.

  • Gamble, J.J., Ambros, B., Séguin, P., Benmansour, P., Simko, E.  2014.  Stimulating thoracic epidural placement via a lumbar approach causes significant spinal cord damage in a porcine model. Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, 61(4): 306-311.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s12630-014-0117-x

  • Garg, R., Latimer, L., Simko, E., Gerdts, V., Potter, A., van Drunen Littel-van den Hurk, S.  2014. Induction of mucosal immunity and protection by intranasal immunisation with a novel respiratory syncytial virus vaccine formulation.  Journal of General Virology, 95(2): 301-306.  https://doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.058461-0

  • Amat, S., McKinnon, J.J., Penner, G.B., Simko, E., Hendrick, S.  2014.  Evaluation of mineral status in high dietary sulphur exposed or sulphur-induced polioencephalomalacia affected beef cattle.  Canadian Journal of Animal Science, 94(1): 139-149.  https://doi.org/10.4141/cjas2013-110

  • Amat, S., McKinnon, J.J., Olkowski, A.A., Penner, G.B., Simko, E., Shand, P.J., Hendrick, S.  2013. Understanding the role of sulfur-thiamine interaction in the pathogenesis of sulfur-induced polioencephalomalacia in beef cattle.  Research in Veterinary Science, 95(3): 1081-1087.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2013.07.024

  • Wong, V.M., Marche, C., Simko, E.  2012.  Infectious canine hepatitis associated with prednisone treatment. Canadian Veterinary Journal, 53(11): 1219-1221.

  • Garlapati, S., Garg, R., Brownlie, R., Latimer, L., Simko, E., Hancock, R.E.W., Babiuk, L.A., Gerdts, V., Potter, A., van Drunen Littel-van den Hurk, S.  2012.  Enhanced immune responses and protection by vaccination with respiratory syncytial virus fusion protein formulated with CpG oligodeoxynucleotide and innate defense regulator peptide in polyphosphazene microparticles. Vaccine, 30, 5206-5214.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.06.011

  • Bergeron, T. Zhang, R., Elliot, K., Rapin, N., MacDonald, V., Linn, K., Simko, E., Misra, V.  2013.  The effect of Zhangfei on the unfolded protein response and growth of cells derived from canine and human osteosarcomas.  Veterinary and Comparative Oncology, 11(2): 140-150.  https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-5829.2011.00310.x

  • Huang, Y.Y., Olson, D.J., Gordon, J.R., Middleton, D.M., Simko, E.  2012.  Plasma protein profiles of neonatal pigs before and after suckling. Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, 76(1): 1-7.

  • Amini, K., Simko, E., Davies, J.L.  2011.  Sudden death associated with myocardial contraction band necrosis in Boer goat kids.  Veterinary Pathology, 48(6): 1212-1215.  https://doi.org/10.1177/0300985810381246