December 4, 2017
Dr. Alejandro “Alex” Ramirez, associate professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine in Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, has been named the first holder of the Roy A. Schultz Professorship in Swine Medicine.
Ramirez is a two-time College of Veterinary Medicine graduate. He received his DVM in 1993 and a PhD in veterinary microbiology in 2011. He is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine and is the interim assistant dean for academic and student affairs for the college.
He joined the CVM faculty in 2004 after 12 years of professional swine veterinary practice. He has a productive record of clinical research and is an outstanding classroom instructor, receiving the Iowa State University Award for Early Achievement in Teaching. He is also a two-time recipient of the Dr. William O. Reece Award for Outstanding Academic Advising in the college.
“My primary focus is to make students think for themselves,” Ramirez said. “I’m less concerned about having them memorize facts, but rather we discuss what is important to give them an excellent foundation.”
He is the current president of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians and serves as an American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education Site Visit Team member.
The Schultz Professorship was established by Dr. Roy Schultz, a 1960 College of Veterinary Medicine graduate and internationally renowned swine veterinarian who resides in Avoca, Iowa.
“Receiving this professorship is a tremendous honor for me,” Ramirez said. “I have always looked up to Dr. Schultz for his passion for seeking knowledge to help people, swine and the international community.”