Dr. Michael Lappin, professor of infectious disease in the CSU Department of Clinical Sciences, and director of Shelter Medicine at the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital, received the American Veterinary Medical Association Clinical Research Award at the Merial National Institute of Health’s National Veterinary Scholars Symposium in Bethesda, Md. in August.

“Dr. Lappin has dedicated his life’s work to improving the well-being of pets and their owners,” said Dr. Tom Meyer, association president. “He exhibits an enormous amount of passion and commitment in treating disease and promoting the quality of life of all companion animals. He is also an important voice in the One Health community and leads by example in advocating for collaboration among human and animal practitioners.”

Lappin directs CSU’s Center for Companion Animal Studies, whose mission is to foster interactions between clinical specialists, translational researchers, and basic researchers that will directly result in improved quality of life for animals and indirectly improve human health through interactions with their companion animals. Many of the center’s projects investigate new diagnostic tests, treatments, and vaccines for common diseases seen in veterinary clinics

The center advances the teaching of veterinary students, clinical interns, clinical residents, and graduate students by involving them in the design and conduct of clinically relevant research projects.

Lappin is internationally recognized for his research on infectious diseases, vaccine-associated side effects, upper respiratory disease complex and infections that transmit from cats to humans (zoonoses).

About the award

Established in 1955 by the Council on Research, the AVMA Clinical Research Award is given annually to a veterinarian in recognition of his or her achievements in patient-oriented research, including the study of mechanisms of disease, therapeutic interventions, clinical trials, development of new technologies, and epidemiological studies.