AMES, Iowa – Dr. Mark Ackermann, professor of veterinary pathology at Iowa State University, was selected as this year’s recipient of the Pfizer Animal Health Award for Research Excellence. The award, given annually, recognizes outstanding research effort and productivity.
Dr. Ackermann’s research in animal diseases is represented by more than 115 publications and eight book chapters. His research and expertise in ovine and bovine respiratory diseases has attained national recognition.
“Dr. Ackermann’ s research illustrates how mechanistic research can be applied in veterinary medicine and translated to human medicine, resulting in prevention, interventions, and therapies/vaccines,” said Dr. Claire Andreasen, Chair of the Department of Veterinary Pathology at Iowa State. “He is a collegial faculty member and mentor to faculty, staff and students, with a true dedication to science and learning.”
Through his work, Dr. Ackermann has made significant contributions in advancing the knowledge of potential factors to reduce respiratory tract infection in sheep, cattle, and swine. His current research activities have focused on the effects of pre-term birth on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in peri-natal sheep that is a model for RSV infection of human infants. He is also focused on identifying new therapeutics to reduce the severity of the virus which causes pneumonia in sheep, cattle, and infants.
In addition to his research, Dr. Ackermann has served as a major professor for 14 PhD students, has mentored five post-doctoral fellows, and served on 62 graduate committees; he currently serves on nine graduate student committees. He was the holder of the John G. Salsbury Chair in Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State from 2001 to 2004 and 2005 to 2007, and received the Pfizer Award in 2000. His laboratory has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, USDA, and private foundations.
Dr. Ackermann has served on the editorial board of Veterinary Pathology and is a member of study sections for the National Institutes of Health. He is a member of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Ackermann has clinical service (pathology) and teaches advanced courses in cell injury and cancer to residents and graduate students. He is professor-in-charge of the Image Analysis and Confocal Microscopy Facility at Iowa State University and is very active in the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, serving as Chair of the Examination Committee in 2009.
Dr. Ackermann earned his D.V.M. (1986) and Ph.D. (1989) from Iowa State University. In 1990, he received board certification from the American College of Veterinary Pathologists. Prior to joining the faculty at Iowa State in 1986, he was a veterinary medical officer and lead scientist for 10 years with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Animal Disease Center in Ames.