Several Iowa State University veterinarians were recently honored during the annual meeting of the Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases (CRWAD) held in December in Chicago, Ill. Established in 1920, the CRWAD is the leading organization for the most current research advances in animal diseases. At its annual meetings, research scientists from around the world present and discuss the most recent advances on subjects of interest to the CRWAD and of importance to the global livestock and companion animal industries.
2009 Dedicatee
Since 1974, CRWAD has elected a life member who has made outstanding contributions to the organization and animal disease research. For the 2009 annual meeting, Dr. Norman Cheville was honored for his achievements and was the Dedicatee of the meeting. Dr. Cheville is a former dean and distinguished professor emeritus at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University.
Dr. Cheville is a leading researcher on bovine brucellosis, and part of a team that developed a vaccine instrumental in eradicating the highly infectious disease. He has contributed to several studies of the National Academy of Sciences during his career, and has published over 200 papers and seven books.
After receiving his veterinary degree from Iowa State in 1959, Dr. Cheville worked at the Army Biological Laboratory, Ft. Detrick, Maryland, in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps for two years. From 1961 to 1963, he was a research associate at the University of Wisconsin where he a Master’s and Doctorate degree. He worked at the National Animal Disease Center from 1963 to 1995, serving as research leader and chief of pathology and as research leader for brucellosis.
Dr. Cheville joined the faculty at Iowa State in 1995 as chair of the Department of Veterinary Pathology. In 2001, he was named dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Cheville is a diplomate, distinguished member, and past president of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists. He is a past president of the Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases, and editor of the scientific journal Veterinary Pathology. His awards include: the 2002 American Feed Industry Association Research Award, Pfizer Excellence in Bovine Research Award from the American Veterinary Medical Foundation in 1999; and the Outstanding Achievement Award from the USDA in 1991.
2009 Distinguished Veterinary Microbiologist
Dr. James Roth was named Distinguished Veterinary Microbiologist during the CRWAD’s annual meeting. He is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine at the College of Veterinary Medicine. He is also a collaborating professor in the Department of Epidemiology in the College of Public Health at the University of Iowa.
Dr. Roth is executive director of the Institute for International Cooperation in Animal Biologics, a World Organization for Animal Health-collaborating center that provides training, brings about harmonization of regulations and assists countries in obtaining needed veterinary biologics such as vaccines. He also is director of the Center for Food Security and Public Health, which is working to increase national preparedness for accidental or intentional introduction of disease agents that threaten food production or public health.
He earned his DVM (1975) and Ph.D. (1981) from Iowa State. His research has focused on factors that suppress immune function and make animals susceptible to disease, and on understanding protective antigens and protective immune responses to aid the development of improved vaccines. He is the author of 130 research articles, one textbook and 27 book chapters. Dr. Roth is a past president of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists. He has served on several federal boards, including the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (2005 to 2008).
Graduate Student Award
Dr. Christa Irwin received the 1st place graduate student award in the Biosafety and Biosecurity Section for her presentation: “Using a systematic review of environmental persistence of influenza - advising biosecurity.”
Dr. Irwin is an adjunct instructor in the Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine at Iowa State University. She is pursuing a master’s degree in veterinary preventive medicine, focusing on epidemiology. She received her veterinary degree from Kansas State University. Previously, Dr. Irwin was a staff veterinarian at Murphy-Brown, LLC, managing the Missouri farrow- to-feeder pig and multiplication operations for six years. From 1998 to 2001, she was employed by Pig Improvement Company. Dr. Irwin has specialized training in foreign animal disease from the Plum Island Animal Disease Laboratory in Plum Island, N.Y.