Dr. Chris Lanier and Dr. Paul Cooke

Faculty receive Zoetis’ top teaching, research awards

Two University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine faculty members have been honored as recipients of the 2024 Zoetis Distinguished Veterinary Teacher and Veterinary Research Excellence awards, respectively.

The Zoetis Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award is given to educators in recognition of their character and leadership qualities as well as their outstanding teaching abilities. The Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence recognizes researchers whose innovative studies have advanced the scientific standing of veterinary medicine.

Dr. Christopher Lanier, a clinical assistant professor of clinical pathology, received the Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award. Lanier joined the UF faculty in 2019 after working with a private pathology practice in San Antonio, Texas. He retired from the U.S. Army with 23 years of active service in 2015 and completed residency training for his “second veterinary career” in clinical pathology in 2018. In addition to student instruction, his major efforts include clinical pathology resident training and diagnostic service support to the veterinary teaching hospital.

Dr. Paul Cooke, a professor of physiological sciences, received the Veterinary Research Excellence Award. Dr. Paul Cooke, a professor of physiological sciences, received the Veterinary Research Excellence Award. Cooke came to UF in 2011 to serve as the chair of the Physiological Sciences Department and he continued in this role until returning to the faculty in 2022. Cooke is an endocrinologist by training and his main research focus is using transgenic mouse models to better understand the role of estrogen in normal male and female reproductive tract development as well as in various disease states.