AVMA announces 2024 AVMA Career Achievement in Canine Research Award

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The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) announced earlier this year that Jan Suchodolski, MedVet, DrVetMed, PhD, AGAF, DACVM, professor and associate director for research of the gastrointestinal laboratory at Texas A&M, and Purina Petcare endowed chair for microbiome research, as the recipient of the 2024 AVMA Career Achievement in Canine Research Award.

“Suchodolski's pioneering work in defining the gastrointestinal microbiome in dogs has revolutionized our understanding of canine health and disease," expressed Rena Carlson, DVM, AVMA president, in an organizational release.¹ "His research has had a profound impact on veterinary medicine and has paved the way for new diagnostic tools and treatment approaches."

According to the release,¹ this award from the AVMA honors one of its members for its contributions to the field of canine research and is selected by the AVMA council on Research. In order to qualify, AVMA members must be submitted by either another AVMA member or nonmember, or organization, governmental or not, and the council will not consider any self-nominations.²

The requirements for nominations are a letter summarizing the nominee’s professional background with current professional activity, statement of significant achievements, qualifications for the award, and significant research achievements included. An interactive PDF form must be filled out and their curriculum vitae/resume, and relevant publications, not going over 4 single-sided typed pages, and a high-resolution headshot. The nominee will also need up to 3 letters of support from fellow veterinarians, colleagues, clients, or organizations, not exceeding 3 single-sided pages each. The winner will receive a $2,500 honorarium and a crystal award

Suchodolski is a 2003 graduate of the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna and is now a board-certified veterinary microbiologist. He has authored or coauthored over 400 peer-reviewed publications, cited more than 10,000 times, and has a field citation of 3.66, meaning that his papers are cited 366% more often than papers from other investigators within his field.¹

In Suchodolski’s paper,³ “The effect of the macrolide antibiotic tylosin on microbial diversity in the canine small intestine as demonstrated by massive parallel 16S rRNA gene sequencing” that was published in 2009, he became the first researcher to investigate the huge impact that antibiotics have on the gut microbiome of dogs. Since the study was published, Suchodolski was participated in or initiated additional studies on the matter, making it an important focus of efforts to improve antimicrobial stewardship in the medical and veterinary profession.¹

His research has also led to improvements on how the gut microbiome can be evaluated in the clinical setting. In his study, “A dysbiosis index to assess microbial changes in fecal samples of dogs with chronic inflammatory enteropathy,” that was published in FEMS Microbiology Ecology in 2017, he established a simplified and new way to assess the fecal microbiome.⁴ The new way utilizes accessible technology of quantitative PCR and validating the fecal dysbiosis index. The index is currently available commercially through the GI laboratory to provide an affordable method for an inside look of the gut microbiome health in canine patients with GI diseases.

“I am very honored I was selected by the AVMA Council on Research to receive the prestigious career achievement award,” expressed Suchodolski. “I’m thankful for this recognition and would also like to acknowledge and thank all my collaborators and students that have worked with me for the past 20 years.”

Suchodolski’s research has won multiple awards such as the Zoetis Award for Research Excellence and the Outstanding Research Leader Award, Convocation, CVM from Texas A&M University. He was also elected as a Fellow of the American Gastroenterological Association, which is considered a rare honor for a veterinarian, and currently serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Morris Animal Foundation.

Reference

1. Dr. Jan Suchodolski wins 2024 AVMA Career Achievement in Canine Research Award. News release. American Veterinary Medical Association. June 6, 2024. Accessed October 10, 2024. https://www.avma.org/news/press-releases/dr-jan-suchodolski-wins-2024-avma-career-achievement-canine-research-award
2. AVMA Career Achievement in Canine Research Award. American Veterinary Medical Association. Accessed October 10, 2024. https://www.avma.org/about/awards/avma-career-achievement-canine-research-award
3. Suchodolski JS, Dowd SE, Westermarck E, et al. The effect of the macrolide antibiotic tylosin on microbial diversity in the canine small intestine as demonstrated by massive parallel 16S rRNA gene sequencing. BMC Microbiol. 2009;9:210. Published 2009 Oct 2. doi:10.1186/1471-2180-9-210
4. AlShawaqfeh MK, Wajid B, Minamoto Y, et al. A dysbiosis index to assess microbial changes in fecal samples of dogs with chronic inflammatory enteropathy. FEMS Microbiol Ecol. 2017;93(11):10.1093/femsec/fix136. doi:10.1093/femsec/fix136