Douglas Thamm wins 2023 International Canine Health Award for oncology research

Douglas Thamm, VMD, DACVIM (Oncology), professor of oncology at Colorado State University, was awarded the Alan Kelly International Award category of the 2023 International Canine Health Awards for his work in researching canine cancer. According to a release from The Kennel Club,¹ Thamm works on numerous clinical trials to further advance life-changing therapies for dogs with cancer.

Douglas Thamm, VMD, DACVIM (Oncology). (Photo courtesy of The Kennel Club)

On hearing of his success as winner of the Alan Kelly International Achievement Award in this year’s International Canine Health Awards, Thamm said in the release, “Thank you for this incredible honor. Conducting canine cancer research is not just a job for me – it’s a passion. I am grateful every day for the opportunity to pursue these studies as we strive to improve canine health and wellbeing. This award only strengthens my resolve to continue pushing the boundaries of knowledge and make a positive impact on canine health.”¹

Thamm works as the director of clinical research for the Flint Animal Cancer Center where he recently led a pivotal trial investigating the effect of a Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor in dogs with spontaneously occurring B-cell lymphoma. Thamm is also the principal investigator for Team Oriented Training across the Translational Spectrum (TOTTS) which is an organization that aims to provide advanced scientific training opportunities for veterinarians interested in translational medical research.¹

Andrew Higgins, BVetMed, MSc, PhD, FRSB, FRCVS, Chairman of the International Canine Health Awards panel and trustee of The Kennel Club Charitable Trust which organizes the awards, said: “The work of Dr Douglas Thamm really highlights the 2023 Awards’ focus on One Health in demonstrating how beneficial canine research can be for humans too. We would like to congratulate him on his exceptional research successes, his commitment to training the next generation of veterinarians and researchers, and his passion for translational medicine, all of which makes him thoroughly deserving of this year’s Alan Kelly International Achievement Award.”¹

Vernon Hill, founder of Metro Bank, and whose major gift from the Vernon and Shirley Hill Foundation underwrites the awards, said: “Dr Thamm should be proud of the advancements he has made in bettering the world’s understanding of treatment of cancer, in the lives of both our dogs and humans. I look forward to seeing how winning this prestigious award can lead to further progress in his clinical trials.”¹

Applications for the awards are judged by a panel of independent and eminent international veterinarians and scientists. The awards will be presented via a virtual ceremony on Wednesday, July 12 at 15:00 BST.

Reference

University oncology professor awarded Alan Kelly international veterinary award for research in canine cancer. News release. The Kennel Club. Published June 28, 2023. Accessed July 10, 2023.