Suzanne Millman
Scott and Nancy Armbrust Professorship in Veterinary Medicine
Morrill Professor
Biomedical Sciences
Vet Diagnostic & Production Animal Medicine
Veterinary Preventive Medicine Graduate Programs
smillman@iastate.edu
515-294-2817
2201 Lloyd
ISU Directory Link
General
Professor Suzanne Millman is an applied ethologist, a Morrill Professor, and holds the Scott and Nancy Armbrust Professorship in Veterinary Medicine, with joint appointments in the Veterinary Diagnostic & Production Animal Medicine and Biomedical Sciences departments at Iowa State University. Millman coordinates animal welfare instruction within the veterinary professional curriculum and coaches ISU’s animal welfare judging team. Her professional practice involves animal welfare and behavior services to the community. Dr. Millman was honored to receive the 2022 AVMA Humane Award for her contributions to animal welfare and the Iowa State University Morrill Professorship for her accomplishments in teaching and learning.
Education & Certifications
- BSc(Agr), Animal & Poultry Science, 1990, University of Guelph, Canada
- PhD, Applied Ethology, 2000, University of Guelph, Canada
- PAACO certification – meat plant auditor, Common Swine Industry Audit
Teaching
- Instructor-in-charge, VDPAM 312, Vets & Society II, Introduction to Animal Welfare
- Instructor-in-charge, VDPAM 365, Animal Welfare Assessment and Judging
- Instructor-in-charge, VDPAM 465, Animal Welfare Clinical Rotation
- Instructor-in-charge, VDPAM 466, Animal Behavior and Welfare Preceptorship
- Instructor-in-charge, BMS 403, Behavior of Domestic Animals
Research Focus & Interests
My research responsibilities are to develop a “program related to the fundamentals and policies of animal behavior and well-being in production systems for food producing animals.” Animal welfare research requires an interdisciplinary approach, involving scientific disciplines of behavior, health, performance, endocrinology and neurophysiology with recognition of the ethical and cultural aspects of the issues. Specifically, my research interests include understanding behavioral responses of animals to states of pain and illness, animal welfare assessment and identifying practical interventions to enhance animal welfare with emphasis on commercial production environments.
Honors & Awards
- Morrill Professorship, Iowa State University, 2025
- ISU Outstanding Achievement in Teaching Award, Iowa State University, 2024
- Louis Thompson Distinguished Undergraduate Teacher, Iowa State University, 2024
- Humane Award, American Veterinary Medical Association, 2022
- Faculty Member of the Year Award, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University. 2016
- Mid-Career Achievement in Research Award, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University. 2016
- Pfizer Award for Research Excellence in Animal Health, Iowa State University. 2012
Leadership/Committees/Council
- American Veterinary Medical Association, Invited Subject Expert: Working Group on Companion and Equine Maltreatment, 2023 - present.
- International Society for Applied Ethology, Council Member: Procedural Advisor, 2022 - present.
- Frontiers in Veterinary Science, Editorial Board: Animal Behavior and Welfare, 2015 - present.
- United Egg Producers, Invited Subject Expert, Animal Welfare Scientific Committee, 2014 - present.
- Iowa Farm Animal Care, Advisory Board and Coordinator: On-Farm Evaluation Team, 2013 - present
- Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, Animal Welfare Liaison, 2008 - present.
- Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, University Link: Iowa State University, 2008 - present.
- American Veterinary Medical Association, Invited Subject Expert: Panel on Humane Slaughter - Poultry Working Group, 2022 - 2024.
- Frontiers in Pain Research, Guest Co-Editor: Pain in Livestock, Special Issue, 2022 - 2024.
- Iowa Pork Producers Association, Member, Swine Well-being Committee, 2008 - 2022.
- World Organization for Animal Health, Invited Subject Expert: North America, Ad Hoc Working Group, Animal Welfare and Chicken Layer Production Systems, 2016 - 2021.
- Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, Section Editor: Farmed Animals, 2003 - 2019
- Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization, Chair: Common Swine Industry Audit Curriculum Committee, 2014 - 2017.
- American Veterinary Medical Association, Invited Subject Expert and Co-Chair: Model Animal Welfare Curriculum Working Group, 2011 - 2017.
Memberships
- American Veterinary Society for Animal Behavior
- Animal Behavior Society
- Canadian Society for Animal Science
- International Society for Applied Ethology
- Poultry Science Association
- Universities Federation for Animal Welfare – University Link, Iowa State University