University Distinguished Professor
Dr. Susan VandeWoude, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology
VandeWoude, a renowned veterinary virologist, has been named a University Distinguished Professor, Colorado State University’s highest academic recognition.
VandeWoude, a professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, currently serves as the director of the Colorado State University One Health Institute, which aims to benefit the health of animals, people and the environment by collaborating across disciplines. She has also served as associate dean for research in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at CSU and as director of Laboratory Animal Resources from 2007 to 2011.
A teacher and researcher, VandeWoude – who joined CSU in 1990 – has specialized in studying conditions affecting cats, both big and small, including Feline Immunodeficiency Virus or FVI, which can leave animals vulnerable to other infections. Her research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health and Morris Animal Foundation.
She was elected in 2019 to the National Academy of Sciences, one of the highest honors for scientists, in recognition of distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.
VandeWoude is the second female researcher from CSU to join the NAS, and the 11th faculty member elected to the reigning body of national thought leaders on all things scientific.
She was recently based at the University of Tasmania on a Fulbright scholarship, conducting research to better understand FIV, which is also an analogue for HIV in humans. Her stay in Australia was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic.
VandeWoude was nominated by Dr. Rodney Page, professor and the director of the Flint Animal Cancer Center at the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital; Melissa Reynolds, professor and research associate dean in the College of Natural Sciences; and Mark Zabel, research associate dean in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and a professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology.
In the nomination, they cited VandeWoude’s “significant and considerable history as a leading scientist, mentor and administrator,” with an impact extending beyond CSU.
“Dr. VandeWoude possesses equal passion and success in training young scientists,” they wrote in the nomination letter. “This includes graduate students, veterinary students, undergraduate students and post-doctoral fellows, culminating in her nomination as outstanding mentor in CVMBS. She has led extraordinary efforts to provide funding and support for important and successful training programs at Colorado State University.”
She received her undergraduate degree in chemistry from the California Institute of Technology and subsequently received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.
Scholarship Impact Award
Dr. Mo Salman, Department of Clinical Sciences
Salman, professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences and editor-in-chief of the Elsevier journal Preventive Veterinary Medicine, has received Colorado State University’s 2020 Scholarship Impact Award for the breadth of research he has undertaken and the significant impacts it has had on the field of veterinary medicine.
The Scholarship Impact Award recognizes distinguished CSU faculty whose scholarship has had a major impact nationally or internationally. Salman has been invited to share his research glonally, and has published more than 300 peer-reviewed articles.
Much of Salman’s work focuses on preventative veterinary medicine, comparative pathology and epidemiology. His work aims to improve animal health by finding ways to prevent and detect infectious diseases, benefiting animals of many types, and the humans who depend on them for livelihoods or companionship.
As a faculty member of CSU for over 30 years, Salman has received a number of accolades for his work around the world. He was the recipient of the 2010 Penn Vet World Leadership Award in recognition of global veterinarian activities; he was coordinator for the U.S. Department of State Biosecurity Engagement Program in Afghanistan in 2015-2016; and was one of six members appointed by the European Union Commission to address the classification of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, commonly known as mad cow disease. Salman has helped to create dialogue between investigators, regulators, and industry stakeholders in 64 countries to help address this lethal livestock disease.
Now more than ever, it is clear that better understanding and preparing for zoonotic diseases that spread between animals and humans will be paramount to a healthy, thriving society. Salman is a leader in this pursuit, whose research is, and will continue to be, deserving of CSU’s prestigious Scholarship Impact Award.
Oliver P. Pennock Distinguished Service Award
This award recognizes meritorious and outstanding achievement over a five-year period by full-time members of the academic faculty and administrative professional staff.
Jeffrey Wilusz, Ph.D., Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology
Wilusz weaves his activities in each of his areas together with enthusiasm for science and education. His leadership and reputation
within and outside of CSU serves to elevate those around him. He has always stood out as a role model in the department, both
to students as well as faculty peers. Over the years, his involvement in the multiple facets of the department has been wholly
evident, and he excels in building community and encouraging quality.
CSU Ventures Award for Innovative Excellence
This award is presented to a researcher who is not only an innovator but someone whose innovations have been transferred to industry and are exhibiting strong potential for commercial success.
Dr. Christopher Orton, Department of Clinical Sciences
Orton is a co-inventor on a pending and issued U.S. and foreign patents entitled: “Device and System for Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement”. This technology addresses the critical need to eliminate mitral regurgitation when surgery or mitral repair is not an option as well as providing relief from heart failure symptoms and quality-of-life improvements in high surgical risk patients. The pharma/medical device is the world’s first technology of this type that has received the CE Mark in Europe for commercial use/sale.
Classified Personnel Council Outstanding Achievement Award
This award celebrates meritorious and outstanding achievements to the University by State Classified employees.
Marcia “Marci” Stille, Department of Clinical Sciences
Stille is known for her professionalism, a ready smile and for engaging, supporting and encouraging students, clients, staff and faculty every day. Her leadership demonstrates the far-reaching impact that one individual’s above and beyond efforts can have.
Interdisciplinary Scholarship Individual Award
This award recognizes either a faculty member or research team whose interdisciplinary scholarship has had a major impact nationally and/or internationally, or who have demonstrated their potential to do so.
Dr. Richard Bowen, Department of Biomedical Sciences
Bowen is an exceedingly versatile investigator who is carrying out significantly impactful research on zoonotic pathogens, epidemiology surveillance models, and unique management strategies that are relevant to both animal and human health worldwide. He excels in originality of research in both reproductive biology and current and emerging infectious zoonotic diseases, creative experimental practices in understanding transmission and approach to controlling these diseases. His career Is reflected in refereed publications, book chapters, citations, extramural grant awards, majority of which are collaborations with faculty and scientists locally, nationally, and globally.
Spirit of Philanthropy Award
This award recognizes a faculty, staff, emeritus, and retired faculty and staff member whose commitment and passion to Colorado State University has made a significant impact to the fundraising effort of Colorado State University.
Dr. Wayne McIlwraith, University Distinguished Professor of Orthopedics in the Department of Clinical Sciences
McIlwraith is an international pioneer in equine arthroscopic surgery and has pushed the boundaries of research into biological therapies based on living cells and their products, including novel protein and stem cell therapies that help heal injured and degraded joints. The creation of the $70 million Translational Medicine Institute, named in honor of Dr. McIlwraith, is a crowning fundraising achievement and speaks to the level of engagement Dr. McIlwraith has had with our College’s and University’s largest donors.
Dr. Stephen Withrow, University Distinguished Professor and Founding Director of the Flint Animal Cancer Center
Withrow was instrumental in securing a $4 million gift from the Flint Foundation. Along with securing this major donation, he played a critical role in the establishment of five endowed University and Presidential Chairs. He has been called “the most influential and accomplished living veterinary oncologist,” and his long list of awards – both professional and humanitarian – is an indication of his dedication and compassion.
