SAN ANTONIO (July 7, 2026) — Texas Biomedical Research Institute Professor Kathleen Brasky, V.M.D., has been named the recipient of the 2026 American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Lifetime Excellence in Research Award, one of veterinary medicine’s most prestigious accolades.
The award recognizes Dr. Brasky’s significant contributions to the veterinary and biomedical research professions during her career. For more than 35 years, she has worked with nonhuman primates at Texas Biomed’s Southwest National Primate Research Center helping bridge veterinary medicine and human health. Her work has fundamentally advanced nonhuman primate models for studying infectious diseases, immunology, metabolic conditions, development and aging, as well as vaccine and therapeutic development.
“Dr. Brasky’s contributions have had a profound impact on both veterinary medicine and translational research,” said SNPRC Director Corinna Ross, Ph.D. “Her work has helped drive scientific discoveries that have improved human and animal health around the world. This recognition reflects her unwavering commitment to animal welfare, scientific excellence and advancing research that saves lives.”
Dr. Brasky’s research has directly supported major advances in understanding diseases including hepatitis B and C, HIV/AIDS, Ebola virus, Lassa fever, Zika virus, SARS-CoV-2, tuberculosis and anthrax. Her expertise has been instrumental in developing clinically relevant animal models and evaluating vaccines and biologics, including landmark studies that contributed to the development of mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“For more than three decades, Dr. Brasky has shown how veterinary expertise sits at the very heart of biomedical discovery,” said AVMA President Michael Q. Bailey, D.V.M. “Her work caring for and studying nonhuman primates has helped make possible major advances against some of the world’s most serious infectious diseases, from hepatitis to Ebola to COVID-19. She embodies the vital and often unseen role veterinarians play in protecting both animal and human health, and I am honored to recognize her with this award.”
A Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM), Dr. Brasky has long been a leader in promoting the responsible and ethical use of animal models in biomedical research. Throughout her career, she has co-authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications in leading journals, including Nature, PNAS, Hepatology, Journal of Virology, NPJ Vaccines and Nature Microbiology.
“I am deeply honored to receive this award from the AVMA and to be recognized alongside so many distinguished researchers,” Dr. Brasky said. “Scientific progress is always a team effort, and I have been fortunate to work with exceptional colleagues throughout my career.”
Dr. Brasky’s contributions to the field go far beyond her research.
“During her time at SNPRC, Dr. Brasky has mentored countless technicians, veterinarians and scientists, strengthened standards for animal welfare and research excellence, and helped shape the future of comparative medicine,” Dr. Ross said. “Her impact will be felt for generations.”
Read the full AVMA Press Release here.