The 67th annual meeting of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) took place from October 10-16, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee. This event, held jointly with the United States Animal Health Association (USAHA), brought together over 1,200 professionals dedicated to advancing veterinary diagnostics.
Awards and Recognitions
The AAVLD honored several individuals for their exceptional contributions to veterinary diagnostics:
- E.P. Pope Award: Dr. Kristy Pabilonia, Fort Collins, Colorado. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists, Dr. Pabilonia serves as the executive director of clinical diagnostics for the veterinary health system at Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. Home
- Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Bruce Akey, Ruckersville, Virginia. Dr. Akey owns Akey Laboratory Consulting and previously directed the Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. Home
- Outstanding Performance Award for Diagnostic Services: Kristin Zuzek, Barron, Wisconsin. Zuzek is the compliance director at the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, overseeing quality assurance and safety. Home
- Pioneer in Virology Award: Dr. Richard A. Hesse, Manhattan, Kansas. Dr. Hesse is a professor emeritus at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine and formerly directed diagnostic virology at the university’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Home
- Award for Excellence in Diagnostic Veterinary Microbiology, sponsored by BIOMIC: Dr. Sara Lawhon, College Station, Texas. A professor at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Lawhon also directs the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory at the university’s Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Home
- Best Oral Presentation Award:
- First Place: Brooklyn Cauwels, Iowa State University, for the presentation “Evaluation of a blocking ELISA on serum and milk samples for monitoring highly pathogenic influenza A virus (H5N1-IAV) 2.3.4.4b in dairy cattle.”
- Second Place: MaRyka Smith, Kansas State University, for the presentation “Modeled impacts of improved cattle traceability and size of control area and surveillance zone on business continuity and foot-and-mouth disease outbreak size.” Home
- Best Poster Presentation Award:
- First Place: Kendall Mara, Michigan State University, for the presentation “Standardizing an antimicrobial susceptibility testing protocol for Mycoplasma bovis.”
- Second Place: Calvin ChengYu Ko, Iowa State University, for the presentation “Development of a viability-qPCR detection system and in vitro growth evaluation of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae.” Home
New Leadership
The AAVLD also welcomed new officials who will guide the organization into 2025 and beyond. These leaders bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, ensuring that the association remains at the forefront of veterinary diagnostic advancements.
For more detailed information about the conference and the AAVLD’s initiatives, please visit the AVMA’s official announcement.
The annual meeting not only celebrated the accomplishments of veterinary professionals but also reinforced the critical role diagnostics play in safeguarding animal and human health. The insights and collaborations from this conference are poised to drive future advancements in the field.
