USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) recently recognized several scientists for their leadership, research and noteworthy contributions to the promotion of animal health in the United States including:
Joan K. Lunney, ARS Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, for her significant research contributions and international leadership in determining protective immune mechanisms and genetic resistance for infectious pathogens important to the U.S. swine industry.
Lunney was a featured author in National Hog Farmer’s April 15, 2011 Blueprint Issue on Immunology 101. Her article was entitled, “Understanding Genetic Disease Resistance.”
Among “Area Early Career Research Scientist Award” winners for 2010 was Amy L. Vincent, DVM, ARS Virus and Prion Diseases Research Unit at Ames, IA, for her work with swine influenza virus pathogenesis, transmission and vaccine research supporting the U.S. swine industry. She led efforts in learning more about the H1N1 pandemic influenza.
Honored for superior technology transfer achievements was the H1N1 Pandemic Influenza Veterinary Team for rapid response to H1N1 pandemic influenza by timely development and transfer of diagnostic tests for veterinary specimens. The team includes scientists at the ARS Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory, Athens, GA, and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services’ National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA.