Texas A&M Professor Honored With Prestigious Veterinary Award
Dr. Nicholas Jeffery, a professor at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS), is the 2024 recipient of the Bourgelat Award, an honor from the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) that recognizes unsung heroes of the veterinary profession who have made significant contributions to veterinary science, research, clinical practice, education, and the welfare of small animals.
“I feel greatly honored to receive this award, especially since it is named after an important pioneer of veterinary medicine — Dr. Claude Bourgelat —who established the first veterinary school in the world in Lyon, France,” Jeffery said.
As an internationally recognized veterinary neurologist, surgeon, and scientist, Jeffery is both an ideal candidate and deserving recipient of the highest honor bestowed to just one veterinarian each year by the BSAVA.
“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,” said Dr. John R. August, the Carl B. King Dean of Veterinary Medicine at the VMBS. “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.”
One of Jeffery’s recent achievements includes the development of a new, less-invasive method for treating herniated discs in small dogs.
“Dogs often herniate discs in their spine; it can lead to paralysis in the back legs and incontinence,” Jeffery said in a story published about his work. “The usual way we treat this is by doing surgery to take that disc out, but that’s really quite expensive and a lot of people don’t have that sort of money.”
Jeffery’s new method, which involves injecting an enzyme into the disc to dissolve it instead of surgically removing it, went to clinical trial last year and proved successful in treating patients while also providing owners a more affordable option for restoring their pet’s quality of life.
Additionally, Jeffery has played an instrumental role in defining MRI-based features of injury, which are still used to aid in the diagnosis and delivery of therapies, and continues to enhance veterinary medicine with his ongoing efforts in research, clinical trials, publication, veterinary practice, and teaching.
His relentless innovation has resulted in more than 200 peer-reviewed publications — many of which continue to influence veterinary and biomedical practices worldwide — while his textbook, “Handbook of Small Animal Spinal Surgery,” serves as a critical resource for students and practitioners.
In addition to publishing his own research, Jeffery also has provided guidance to aspiring researchers and clinicians in the field as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Small Animal Practice.
“Dr. Jeffery is an innovator who continues to explore novel ways to treat different diseases, and he’s relentless in challenging conventional thought,” said Dr. Jonathan Levine, head of the VMBS’ Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences. “His perspective is vital to our educational, research, and service missions.”
Jeffery joined the faculty at Texas A&M University in 2016 and has mentored 18 doctoral students and numerous neurology residents, many of whom now have established careers in academia and industry. He came to Texas A&M after serving at the University of Cambridge and the University of Iowa, and his veterinary career began in London with the opening of the city’s first private small animal specialty practice.
In addition to being an influential and celebrated veterinarian, scientist, and researcher, Jeffery is a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons and Neurology and a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. His degrees include a BVSc (DVM equivalent) from the University of Bristol, a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge, a postdoctoral fellowship from the University College London, and a master’s degree in clinical trials design from the University of London.
“My work has always been guided by problems that come up in the clinic,” Jeffery said. “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.”
###
For more information about the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, please visit our website at vetmed.tamu.edu or join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Contact Information: Jennifer Gauntt, Director of VMBS Communications, Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, jgauntt@cvm.tamu.edu, 979-862-4216
The post Texas A&M Professor Honored With Prestigious Veterinary Award appeared first on VMBS News.
Latest Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
- Texas A&M Research Collaboration Develops Lifesaving ‘Ark’ Technology For Chronic Kidney Disease PatientsA new technology studied at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) Veterinary Medical Park is making giving dialysis to patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) — or complete kidney failure — easier while also prolonging their ability to continue receiving treatment. The device, called the Ark, creates a permanent port […] The post Texas A&M Research Collaboration Develops Lifesaving ‘Ark’ Technology For Chronic Kidney Disease Patients appeared first on VMBS News.
- The ABCs Of CBD For PetsCannabidiol, or CBD, has become popular in recent years thanks to the marketing of its potential health benefits. So it’s no surprise that pet owners are turning to CBD as a remedy for various ailments in their furry companions. Yet because there is little evidence on the effectiveness and safety of CBD in animals, Dr. […] The post The ABCs Of CBD For Pets appeared first on VMBS News.
- Texas A&M Researchers Share Road Map Promoting Sustainable FishingThe new system can also be used to assess and manage the genetic diversity of any species. Researchers at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) have released a road map to help the global fishing industry become more sustainable. The five-step plan outlines how the fishing industry can use population […] The post Texas A&M Researchers Share Road Map Promoting Sustainable Fishing appeared first on VMBS News.
- Texas A&M Equine Veterinarians Work Around The Clock To Save Newborn FoalQueen Victoria, the German warmblood filly, proved her strength at a young age, just like her namesake, the United Kingdom’s former monarch who took the throne at only 18 years old. Almost immediately after birth, the foal, nicknamed Vicky, became separated from her mother, Queenie, after rolling into an adjoining stall. Their few hours apart […] The post Texas A&M Equine Veterinarians Work Around The Clock To Save Newborn Foal appeared first on VMBS News.
- VMBS Professor Recognized As Sustainability ChampionDr. Weihsueh Chiu, a professor at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS), has received a 2024 Sustainability Champion Award from the Texas A&M Office of Sustainability & Campus Enrichment. The Sustainability Champion Awards recognize students, faculty, staff, and team members who have demonstrated exemplary effort, dedication, and leadership throughout the […] The post VMBS Professor Recognized As Sustainability Champion appeared first on VMBS News.
- How A National Network Of VETs Will Advance Disaster Preparedness And ResponseWhen disaster strikes, the critical roles of paramedics, fire fighters, police and other emergency responders immediately come to mind — and perhaps even the K-9 stars who support them. It’s unlikely, though, that veterinarians are top of mind as crisis response team members, but they play an essential, behind-the-scenes role caring for K-9 units, as […] The post How A National Network Of VETs Will Advance Disaster Preparedness And Response appeared first on VMBS News.