Dr. Joan Coates named recipient of 2025 AVMA Lifetime Excellence in Research Award

(SCHAUMBURG, Illinois) July 2, 2025—The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) today honored Dr. Joan Coates, professor of veterinary neurology and neurosurgery at the University of Missouri (MU) College of Veterinary Medicine, as the winner of the 2025 AVMA Lifetime Excellence in Research Award.

Established in November 2005, this award recognizes a veterinary researcher on the basis of lifetime achievement in basic, applied or clinical research. Winners are selected based on the total impact their career has had on the veterinary or biomedical professions.

"I am extremely honored to receive the AVMA Lifetime Excellence in Research Award," said Dr. Coates. "This recognition reflects the dedication of so many mentors, colleagues and collaborators who have contributed to the work over the years. Advancing our understanding of canine degenerative myelopathy and its parallels with ALS has been a long-standing passion of mine, and it’s only been possible through a team-based approach. I’m especially grateful to the residents, interns and graduate students whose insights and efforts were instrumental in these discoveries. While we’ve come a long way, there is still much to do, and I remain committed to continuing this work on behalf of both animals and people."

Dr. Coates has been internationally recognized for her research on degenerative myelopathy (DM) in dogs, a condition that closely resembles amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s disease, in humans. Her discovery of a mutation in the SOD1 gene as a cause of DM transformed the understanding of the disease in dogs and provided a powerful comparative model for studying ALS in people. This work has advanced diagnostics, deepened understanding of neurodegeneration and supported the development of new therapeutic strategies for both species.

In addition to her work on DM, Dr. Coates has played a key role in collaborative research on neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, commonly known as Batten disease, a rare and fatal inherited disorder affecting children. Her contributions to canine research models directly enabled the first approved therapy for Batten disease now in use in pediatric patients, showcasing the power of One Health to connect veterinary and human medicine in life-saving ways.

Throughout her career, Dr. Coates has authored or co-authored more than 120 peer-reviewed publications, multiple book chapters, and clinical texts. She has been an NIH-funded principal investigator, editor for several leading veterinary journals and a dedicated mentor to nearly one hundred interns, residents, graduate students and postdocs, playing a crucial role in shaping the careers of countless new veterinarians.

Dr. Coates' work has been recognized previously by numerous professional honors, including the ACVIM Robert W. Kirk Award for Professional Excellence (2025), MU CVM Alumna of the Year Award (2023), Missouri Veterinary Medical Association President’s Award (2020), MU CVM Dean’s Impact Award (2019) and the Pfizer Award for Research Excellence (2015).

"Dr. Coates is a leader whose research has saved and improved lives across species," said Dr. Sandra Faeh, president of the AVMA. "Her work is a shining example of the value veterinarians bring to both animal and human health, and of the collaborative spirit that drives medical innovation. We are proud to recognize her with this year’s Lifetime Excellence in Research Award."

To learn more about the AVMA Lifetime Excellence in Research Award and past recipients, visit www.avma.org/awards.

For more information, contact Michael San Filippo, senior media relations manager, at 847-732-6194 (cell/text) or msanfilippoavma [dot] org (msanfilippo[at]avma[dot]org).