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2003 Faculty AwardsVeterinary College Honors Top Faculty
The highest honor, the Norden Distinguished Teacher Award, was presented to Dr. Robert Judd of the Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology. “The award recognizes an outstanding teacher who contributes to veterinary science through talent and dedication,” said Dr. Boosinger. “Dr. Judd is appreciated by his students for his ability to take a challenging subject and teach it so that students understand.” Dr. Judd, who teaches pharmacology, joined the AU faculty in 1998 after serving on the faculty at Northeast Louisiana University, where he earned his Ph.D. In addition to teaching, he conducts research on new treatments for Type 2 diabetes mellitus, and in 2001 was appointed as the Boshell Chair in Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases. The award is named in honor of Carl J. Norden, founder of Norden Laboratories,
and it is sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health. It is given annually to a
teacher at each veterinary college in the United States.
Dr. Larry Myers, also of the Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, accepted the Pfizer Animal Health Award for Research Excellence for his research on a dog’s sense of smell, behavior and practical applications. “Early in his career, he was one of only a handful of researchers investigating the neurophysiological properties of the canine sense of olfaction,” Dr. Boosinger said. “He is now internationally recognized for his efforts, especially for his work with law enforcement dogs.” Dr. Myers joined the AU faculty in 1982 after earning his veterinary
degree at Mississippi State University, and his master’s and Ph.D. degrees
from Oklahoma State University. He established the Institute of Biological
Detection Systems at Auburn and has served as a consultant for many governmental
agencies.
Dr. Byron Blagburn of the Department of Pathobiology was named the recipient of the Student Government Association’s Outstanding Teacher Award. “There’s a myth that someone who is a good researcher won’t be a good teacher,” Dr. Boosinger said. “This recipient proves that wrong, because he excels as both.” Dr. Blagburn, who joined the Auburn faculty in 1982, holds the appointment of Distinguished University Professor at Auburn, being only the tenth person to be named to this prestigious position. He has a master’s degree from Andrews University and a Ph.D from the University of Illinois. His research is dedicated to new veterinary drugs directed against parasites
and parasitic diseases. He has been involved in almost every worldwide
development in the parasite-control market since the mid-1980s.
Dr. Ellen Behrend of the Department of Clinical Sciences accepted the Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching. “She receives very high praise from her students,” Dr. Boosinger said. “She came to Auburn to earn her Ph.D. and we’re glad that she decided to remain with us.” Dr. Behrend came to Auburn in 1994, and in 1996 was appointed as a research fellow. She was named assistant professor in 1998, and obtained her Ph.D. in biomedical sciences in 2001. Recently Dr. Behrend was awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor. She has a veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania and
a master’s degree from Colorado State University, and is board certified
by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Her area of interest
is endocrinology, and this past fall she coordinated the college’s endocrine
system course. “To quote some of the student evaluations, ‘Her course should
be used as an example for all faculty,’” Dean Boosinger added.
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