Faculty News


Faculty Achievements

Groover Honored by NAVC 

Dr. Erin Groover, an assistant professor of equine internal medicine in the Department of Clinical Sciences, has been recognized by the North American Veterinary Community for one of its top Sessions of the Year. 

Dr. Groover’s session, “Antimicrobials: Rational Use in Horses,” was one of only six selected—and the only large animal-focused program to be chosen—by veterinary professionals from around the world through attendee feedback. 

The NAVC has a field of more than 350 exceptional and nationally renowned veterinary speakers presenting more than 1,200 different sessions, making the selection a distinct honor.

Bartol Honored by Virginia Tech 

Dr. Frank F. “Skip” Bartol (DASC ’75) was presented the 2017 Dairy Science Outstanding Alumni Award during Virginia Tech’s 2017 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Awards program. 

Dr. Bartol, Alumni Professor and associate dean of Research and Graduate Studies at Auburn University, was inspired by Dr. Dick Saacke as an undergraduate in the Department of Dairy Science. He earned both an M.S. and Ph.D. at the University of Florida and advanced training in molecular biology at the Center for Animal Biotechnology at Texas A&M University as a visiting scientist. 

His research focuses primarily on the identification of factors affecting and mechanisms regulating development and function of the female reproductive tract, particularly in regard to the reproductive efficiency and health in domestic ungulate species. His research has led to interdisciplinary advances including the development of the “uterine gland knockout” (UGKO) model, as well as the promulgation of the “lactocrine hypothesis” for maternal programming of neonatal somatic tissues at Texas A&M and Rutgers, respectively. 

Stockler Named Peer Reviewer for USDA, NIFA 

Dr. Ricardo M. Stockler, an assistant professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences and head of the Food Animal Ambulatory Service, has been selected to serve as a peer reviewer for the 2017 Veterinary Services Grant Program by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Institute for Food & Agriculture. 

Dr. Stockler, a Diplomate with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners-Dairy Practice, was one of only 18 veterinarians nationally selected to participate. 

Dr. Robert Cole Named Clinician of the Year 

Dr. Robert Cole received the Clinician of the Year award for his outstanding performance as an educator and clinician in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The award is based on student and colleague evaluations. 

Pugh Named Georgia CVM Distinguished Alumni 

Dr. David Pugh, a clinical professor of pathobiology and director of the Alabama State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System, was named a Distinguished Alumnus for the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine in Academia, Government, Industry and Other. He earned three degrees from Georgia, and is board certified in the disciplines of theriogenology, nutrition and parasitology. As an equine and small ruminant veterinarian, Dr. Pugh has contributed to 14 textbooks as author and editor and has authored or co-authored more than 600 publications. He has received numerous awards for his achievements as a student, teacher and clinician. 

Smith-Carr Recognized with Distinguished Alumni Award from Tuskegee CVM 

Dr. Saralyn Smith-Carr, an associate professor of small animal internal medicine, was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award by the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. 

The award was presented to Dr. Smith-Carr by the Tuskegee Veterinary Medical Alumni Association during the 52nd Annual Veterinary Medical Symposium. 

The award acknowledged her dedication, commitment and service to the veterinary profession and the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine and TVMAA. Dr. Smith-Carr is also a past president of the TVMAA.