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HONOURS
Dr Liz Bonnin Professor Alan Swain McNeilly
RVC honours Dr Michael Lairmore with Honorary Fellowship
The RVC has awarded an Honorary Fellowship to Michael Lairmore, the Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at University of California, Davis (UC Davis). It was presented during the RVC’s Annual Principal’s Dinner earlier this year. Dr Lairmore received this award in recognition for his outstanding leadership in veterinary medicine and One Health.
RVC Principal, Stuart Reid reflected on Dr Lairmore’s contribution to science and the highest quality veterinary
education at the dinner, which took place in May at Saddlers’ Hall.
Under Dr Lairmore, the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis has grown as a leader in developing new veterinary medical practices, fostered new discoveries in veterinary and human health, and produced graduates regarded as some of the best in the world. Through his leadership, the School has made major advances in student diversity, and he has significantly expanded the number of women in leadership positions. The school’s excellence has been recognised by the ranking organisation QS, which put it at number one globally in its inaugural ranking in 2015 and again in 2016-2018, and by US News & World Report, which has named it number one for five years running.
Dr Lairmore’s leading role in advancing innovative research to address important
issues ranging from clinical veterinary medicine to public health was also mentioned. Stuart expressed particular admiration for Dr Lairmore’s commitment to, and advocacy for, the One Health agenda which has seen the UC Davis One Health Institute become a leader in the international community and was the subject of a presentation by Dr Lairmore to RVC during this visit.
Dr Lairmore earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Missouri at Columbia before working as a dairy and small animal veterinarian. Following private practice, he completed a residency and PhD program in experimental pathology at Colorado State University at Fort Collins. He is board certified in veterinary anatomic pathology as well as veterinary virology and immunology. He is one of the few veterinarians elected as a Member of
the National Academy of Medicine, the health arm of the National Academy
of Sciences. He is also a Fellow in the American Academy of Microbiology
and the American Association for the
Advancement of Sciences, and a board member of the National Institutes of Health’s Council of Councils.
Stuart said: “Recognising Dr Lairmore’s achievements, I am delighted to welcome him into the RVC community. His signal leadership and commitment to his discipline
and the sector has been a benefit
and stimulus to all of us who pursue excellence in advancing the health of animals, people and the environment.”
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