British association names 2024 Bourgelat Award honoree

Photo courtesy of Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Science professor Nicholas Jeffery, BVSc, PhD, MSc, has recognized by the British Small Animal Veterinary Association for his contributions to veterinary medicine.

A Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) professor has been recognized by the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA). Nicholas Jeffery, BVSc, PhD, MSc, has been named the 2024 recipient of the association’s Bourgelat Award, which annually honors a member of the veterinary medicine profession who has made significant international contributions to veterinary science, research, education and small animal welfare and clinical practice.^1,2

The award is named for 18th century veterinary surgeon Claude Bourgelat, who established the world’s first veterinary school, in Lyon, France. The eponymous award is considered the highest honor given by BSAVA and is given each year to one recipient.¹

Jeffrey is an internationally recognized veterinary neurologist, surgeon and scientist, making him an ideal recipient of the award, according to VMBS.¹ His research has defined the pathological features of spinal cord injury in dogs, and was fundamental in defining MRI-based features of injury that are currently used to aid in diagnosis and administering therapies, according to BSAVA.²

“Dr Jeffery has been an outstanding influence in the lives of companion animals worldwide with his work advancing the treatment of spinal cord and nervous system injuries in dogs,” John R. August, BVSc, MS, the Carl B. King dean of veterinary medicine at the VMBS, said in the release.¹ “His foundational research, development of novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies, and leadership of groundbreaking clinical trials provide invaluable advancements in veterinary medicine and make him deserving of this prestigious honor from the BSAVA.”

A past editor of the Journal of Small Animal Practice, his work has also included publication of more than 200 peer-reviewed manuscripts.² “Dr. Jeffery is an innovator who continues to explore novel ways to treat different diseases, and he’s relentless in challenging conventional thought,” Jonathan Levine, DVM, head of the department of small animal clinical sciences at VMBS, said in the release.¹ “His perspective is vital to our educational, research and service missions.”

Jeffrey’s veterinary career began in England with the opening of the London’s first private small animal specialty practice. He is a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons and Neurology and a fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.¹

“My work has always been guided by problems that come up in the clinic,” Jeffery said in the release.¹ “I work to find out how to design treatments and address these problems in my research, which depends on input from many collaborators I’ve had the honor of working with over the decades. I also try to help other people design and analyze their research projects, because clinical research is central to improving the care we provide for our animal patients.”

Jeffery has been a member of the Texas A&M University faculty since 2016. He has mentored 18 doctoral students and numerous neurology residents, many of whom have gone on to establish veterinary careers in academia and industry, according to the release. Prior to his arrival at Texas A&M, Jeffery served in academia at the University of Cambridge in England and the University of Iowa in Ames.¹

References

1. Knight R. Texas A&M professor honored with prestigious veterinary award. Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine & Biological Sciences. March 28, 2024. Accessed March 29, 2024. https://today.tamu.edu/2024/03/28/texas-am-professor-recognized-with-prestigious-veterinary-award/
2. The Bourgelat Award. British Small Animal Veterinary Association. 2024. Accessed March 29, 2024. https://www.bsava.com/awards/bourgelat/