Academics honored by AAVMC

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Dr. Jennifer Hodgson
Dr. Hodgson
Dr. Colin Parrish
Dr. Parrish
Dr. James A. Roth
Dr. Roth
Dr. Norman B. Williamson
Dr. Williamson

The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges recognized the 2018 recipients of four awards during its Annual Conference March 2-4 in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Jennifer Hodgson (Sydney '82) from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine was honored with the 2018 AAVMC Distinguished Teacher Award, presented by Zoetis.

She is associate dean for professional programs and a professor of population health sciences. Colleagues and students praise her as an effective and caring teacher who can put theory into practice and cultivate students' critical thinking skills. She is active on the AAVMC Academic Affairs Committee and the Working Group on Competency-Based Veterinary Education.

Dr. Hodgson is a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists.

Dr. Colin Parrish (Massey '79), the John M. Olin Professor of Virology at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, was presented with the 2018 AAVMC Excellence in Research Award.

Dr. Parrish is a renowned virologist and a leading expert in the details of virus-host interaction. His studies into the properties that allow viruses to cross species and produce new outbreaks have demonstrated the importance of understanding animal viruses and their role in disease emergence. His work has resulted in several notable discoveries and advances, including elucidating how parvovirus capsids interact with host cells and tissues and how naturally occurring variant viruses gain the ability to infect new host cells.

Dr. James A. Roth (Iowa State '75), the Clarence Hartley Covault Distinguished Professor at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, is the recipient of the 2018 Senator John Melcher, DVM, Leadership in Public Policy Award.

Dr. Roth's career has focused on improving veterinary education and public health related to animal health, human health, and food security. He directs the Institute for International Cooperation in Animal Biologics, working with various stakeholders to improve the availability and use of biologics for animals worldwide. He also developed the Veterinary Biologics Training Program on the Department of Agriculture's regulatory process.

Under Dr. Roth's leadership, the Center for Food Security and Public Health was established at ISU with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dr. Norman B. Williamson (Melbourne '68) from Massey University in New Zealand is the recipient of the AAVMC's Billy E. Hooper Award for Distinguished Service.

Dr. Williamson was a pioneer in the development and implementation of computationally based herd health programs in dairy cattle and has made major contributions throughout his career in academic administration. He served for 11 years as program director in veterinary sciences at the College of Science at Massey University. He has also chaired the veterinary college's Accreditation Advisory Committee of the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council since 2012.