Dr. Jeff Abbott

Veterinary pathologist
is Teacher of the Year

Dr. Jeffrey Abbott, an assistant professor of anatomical pathology in the department of infectious diseases and pathology, has been named the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine’s 2012 College Council Teacher of the Year.

The council annually selects an outstanding teacher to receive the designation, based on criteria including knowledge of subject matter, clarity of presentation, concern for students’ mastery of subject, fairness, enthusiasm for teaching and overall interest in student welfare. The winner receives $2,000 and a plaque.

A board-certified anatomical pathologist, Abbott received his D.V.M. degree with honors from Washington State University in 1997. He completed a residency in comparative anatomical pathology as well as a Ph.D. in immunology in 2004.

Abbott has been a member of the UF veterinary college faculty since 2005. He presently supervises the histology laboratory at the UF Veterinary Hospitals and serves as assistant director of the comparative immunology and retrovirology laboratory in the department of infectious diseases and pathology.

The college’s freshmen veterinary students selected Abbott as their Teacher of the Year in 2011 and in 2008. Veterinary students also chose Abbott as their Basic Science Teacher of the Year in 2010 and in 2009. He was also a finalist in 2010 for the college’s Carl Norden-Pfizer Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award.

Abbott’s research interests include immunology of infectious diseases, cytokine therapy and vaccine development.

“The most important facet of effective teaching is engaging the students in the subject matter,” Abbott said. “If the student is not engaged, the amount they can learn is limited. As a teacher, it is my responsibility to impart to the students a love of the subject and a foundation upon which they will be able to build the skills necessary to be able to continue to learning during their careers throughout their lifetime.”