The executive board of the American Veterinary Medical Association has granted provisional recognition for the veterinary parasitology specialty under the auspices of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists (ACVM). 

Auburn University Distinguished University Professor Byron L. Blagburn is named as an honorary diplomate of ACVM-Parasitology. Honorary diplomate status is based on “unquestioned eminence in veterinary microbiology.” Blagburn is one of five parasitologists approved by the ACVM executive board this first year.

Blagburn instructs first-, third-, and fourth-year students at Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine, directs graduate student research, serves as director of the clinical parasitology diagnostic laboratory, and oversees a research program which focuses on parasite-induced diseases of companion animals.

Blagburn received his Ph.D. in veterinary parasitology from the University of Illinois. He is the recipient of the 2010 Pfizer Animal Health Award for Research Excellence. Among his many national awards, the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists presented him their Distinguished Veterinary Parasitologist Award in 2001.