Mo was born in Egypt and graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University in 1958. He completed a PhD degree in 1967 at the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), The Ohio State University (OSU). In 1973, he qualified as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists (ACVM), and in 1991 he became a Charter Diplomate of the newly formed American College of Poultry Veterinarians (ACPV). Upon receiving his PhD he joined the Department of Veterinary Science, the predecessor of the current Food Animal Health Research Program, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, and the Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, CVM, OSU. He was promoted from assistant to associate to full professor, and in 1993, became the head of the Department and assistant dean of the CVM.

 

His research career encompassed diverse studies on bacterial, fungal and viral diseases and the immune response of turkeys. Subjects studied included mycoplasmosis, colibacillosis, pasteurellosis, erysipelas, aspergillosis, paramyxovirus, infectious bursal disease (IBD), enteric viruses and influenza viruses. Among his research accomplishments were the first demonstration of the interspecies transmission of influenza viruses and coronaviruses, elucidating the molecular basis of interspecies transmission of influenza viruses, the first demonstration of the diversity of antigenic types of infectious bursal disease viruses, the discovery of several avian enteric viruses and defining their pathogenesis and epidemiology, providing first description of the production and metabolism of the 3 turkey immunoglobulins. He established and maintained a specific-pathogen-free turkey flock in 1964 to support experimental disease research. He served as president of the American Association of Avian Pathologists, the ACVM and the ACPV. He served or chaired several AAAP committees and he currently represents the AAAP at the AVMA House of Delegates. He received several awards from the AAAP including the Upjohn Research Achievement Award, Special Service Award, and the Life Membership Award. Industry awards included the National Turkey Federation Research Award, the Ohio Poultry Association Service Award and the Golden Feather Award. Academic awards included Distinguished Senior Scientist, CVM Beecham Research Award, Outstanding Service Award, and Graduate Education Excellence Award. He is also the recipient of the AVMA Excellence in Poultry Research Award and the ACVM Distinguished Veterinary Microbiologist Award and the Honorary Diploma of the American Veterinary Epidemiology Society. In 2013, he was elected inaugural member of the Hall of Honor of the World Veterinary Poultry Association. Prior to his retirement in 2013, he had published 170 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 28 book chapters. He mentored 21 PhD and 10 MSc candidates. His laboratory is designated the OIE Expert laboratory for IBD virus. He was associate editor then editor-in-chief of the 11 & 12th editions of Diseases of Poultry. After retirement, he became editor of Avian Diseases.

 

In 1970, Mo married Linda and have a son, Justin who married Erin and have a granddaughter, Lillian.  They have lived on their farm, where they enjoyed raising beef cattle. Linda is also a veterinary researcher and holds the title of Distinguished University Professor at OSU.