School Notes
Honors and Awards
Amy Kapatkin, DVM, DACVS, received the Founders’ Award for Career Achievement from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS). A passionate educator, Kapatkin has served as a mentor for surgery residents for more than two decades and has taught orthopedics for the past 20 years at UC Davis. She is a clinical expert in hip dysplasia, gait analysis, total hip replacement, and nonunion management with more than 80 peer-reviewed studies who is internationally recognized for her work.
Douglas Mader, DVM, DABVP, DECZM, was honored with the UC Davis Lifetime Achievement Award. Internationally recognized as an expert in exotic animal medicine, Mader is a prolifi c author of medical textbooks, scientifi c publications, newspaper articles, and more. He has served as a guest lecturer and adjunct associate clinical professor at the school. His passion for inspiring future veterinarians has led him to mentor more than two dozen UC Davis veterinary students.
Joanne Paul-Murphy, DVM, DACAW, DACZM, received the Murray Fowler Lifetime Achievement Award from the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM) for exceptional commitment and contributions to the ACZM as well as her signifi cant lifetime contributions to advancing zoological medicine. Widely recognized as a leader in exotic animal medicine, Paul-Murphy has authored or co-authored more than 150 peer reviewed publications and 40 textbook chapters, receiving multiple prestigious awards in zoological medicine.
Nicola Pusterla, DVM, DACVIM, DAVDC, was awarded the Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Advancement in Equine Research Award at the American Association of Equine Practitioners' annual meeting. This award was launched in 2011 to support veterinary research that results in practical applications for insights into important equine diseases. As professor of equine medicine, Pusterla leads the teaching hospital’s Equine Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service.
Joan Dean Rowe, DVM, Ph.D., DACVPM, was presented the George McConnell Award by the American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners (AASRP). Rowe is a professor emeritus of Population Health and Reproduction who has held several leadership positions within the dairy goat industry. A former president of the AASRP, she was recognized for her extraordinary service to both the association and small ruminant practice.
In Memoriam
Eugene Breznock, professor emeritus, DVM, Ph.D.
Sheri Ross, DVM, Ph.D., DACVIM
UC Davis Retains QS World Ranking
UC Davis Veterinary Medicine retained its spot as first in the nation and second in the world in the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject. Quacquarelli Symonds, or QS, is considered one of the most influential international authorities on university rankings. Since veterinary science was added to the rankings in 2015, UC Davis has been first in the world five times and is No. 2 for a sixth time. The rankings consider reputation among academics; reputation among employers; the citations and impact of academic papers from a university; and the diversity of a university’s international research network. The school is ranked number one in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
Supporting the Best from All Backgrounds
The school received the 2024 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from Insight into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity focused publication in higher education. Traditionally, the veterinary profession in California does not reflect the diverse demographics of the state. Insight into Diversity selected UC Davis because of its programs to introduce students from low-income and rural areas to the veterinary profession, and to create a welcome and supportive environment. These efforts are reflected in the school’s acceptance of the most diverse class to date—the Class of 2028—with a record high 58 percent of students that are first generation college students and a 29 percent increase in Underrepresented in Medicine students from the previous class. “We are so proud to receive this award,” said Dean Mark Stetter. “UC Davis is known as one of the top veterinary programs in the world. To obtain and maintain that recognition, we lead with progressive, innovative, and impactful initiatives that bring the best students from all backgrounds to the school.”
Advancing Multicultural Perspectives on Science
Drs. Vladimir Diaz-Ochoa and Rodolfo Urbano, both from the Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, were inducted into the 2024-25 class of the Center for the Advancement of Multicultural Perspectives on Science (CAMPOS). This initiative—now in its 10th year—supports faculty members in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Medicine (STEMM) disciplines through promoting a diverse and inclusive environment and increasing engagement of underserved communities. Through networking, mentorship, and resources, CAMPOS invests in the career success of its faculty scholars. Each scholar is provided with professional development opportunities such as leadership trainings, grant-writing workshops, speaking invitations, one-on-one mentoring, and networking with other STEMM scholars at events offered throughout the year.
Fall Alumni Reunion
Approximately 230 alumni gathered in October, mainly from classes celebrating milestone reunions (1974, 1984, 1994, 1999, 2004 and 2014). They enjoyed the Halloween themed TG and costume contest, a brunch with their classmates, and honoring the Alumni Achievement Award recipients during the banquet dinner.
Attendees cheered Dr. Bill Manclark (Class of 1956) and his wife, Darby, for their 61st wedding anniversary. They also sent a happy birthday to Dr. George Puterbaugh from the inaugural Class of 1952 who was turning 100 and unable to join the festivities.
Learn more about the 2024 winners.
Crystal Rogers Honored as Chancellor’s Fellow
Dr. Crystal Rogers was appointed as one of eight new Chancellor’s Fellows this spring. Created in 2000, the program awards $25,000 to early career academics doing exemplary work in their fields, supporting their research or scholarly work.
Rogers is a developmental biologist whose research focuses on neural crest cells and their role in embryonic development, and her studies contribute to our understanding of craniofacial development and birth defects. Rogers plans on using the award funding to create immersive writing and science communication workshops and organize annual writing retreats for the students in her lab.
“By investing in my students’ communication abilities, I aim to amplify the impact of their research and prepare the next generation of scientists to engage more effectively with the public and the broader scientific community,” she said.
Hospital Welcomes New Farrier
Lance Yohe, CJF, brings more than 30 years of experience to his new role as farrier for the Large Animal Clinic. He completed his farrier education at the Eastern School of Farriery in 1993 and became a Certified Farrier (2014) and a Certified Journeyman Farrier (2015) through the American Farrier’s Association (AFA).
In addition to providing comprehensive hoof care, including trimming and shoeing, Yohe works with the veterinary team to assess and address hoof-related issues affecting a horse’s health.
Farrier appointments can be scheduled by calling the veterinary hospital at 530-752-0290.
Improving Urinary Health in Pets
A Nestlé Purina PetCare grant of nearly $1 million over five years will support the school’s G.V. Ling Urinary Stone Analysis Laboratory (USAL). In doing so, it will allow companion animal veterinarians to provide free urinary stone analysis results to their patients. The collaboration holds promise for future innovations in veterinary urology by investigating new diets and supplements to expand stone diagnosis and new devices for managing urinary diseases in companion animals.
Under the grant agreement, the USAL will provide free analyses and interpretations along with consultations to veterinary practitioners for up to 800 new stone submissions a year. By utilizing data submitted and analyzed by the USAL, researchers hope to gain a better understanding of urinary stone management and abnormal tissue mineralization.