The University of Minnesota (UMN) College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is proud to celebrate the 2026 recipients of our annual research awards. These four honorees represent the vanguard of scientific discovery, demonstrating a profound commitment to improving animal and human lives through rigorous inquiry and collaborative innovation.

CVM Mark of Excellence Award
Recipient: Jennifer Granick

This annual award honors a faculty member for outstanding productivity in generating new knowledge relevant to the veterinary profession.

Granick, an associate professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences and Vice Chair of Education, is recognized for her influential research program dedicated to advancing antimicrobial stewardship. As a co-director of the Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship Initiative (ARSI) and the Companion Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (CAVSNET), she has been instrumental in creating evidence-based resources, including the "Handbook of Antimicrobial Stewardship in Companion Animal Veterinary Settings." Her work, which receives significant funding from the FDA and CDC, addresses the critical One Health interface of antimicrobial resistance, impacting the health of animals and humans alike.

Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence
Recipient: Jaime Modiano

Sponsored by Zoetis, this award recognizes faculty whose research has achieved or shows strong potential to achieve international recognition.

Modiano, the Alvin and June Perlman Endowed Chair in Animal Oncology, is honored for his pioneering work in comparative oncology and his revolutionary "Minnesota Solution to Cancer." His research focuses on early cancer detection and risk assessment through innovative platforms like the Shine On, COED, and LyRA projects, which pair diagnostic testing with targeted interventions. A globally recognized authority with three decades of uninterrupted extramural funding, Modiano’s influence extends to prestigious forums like the Aspen Ideas Health Festival. He is also celebrated as a dedicated mentor and a prominent advocate for the intersection of animal and human health.

CVM Distinguished Research Alum Award
Recipient: Srinand Sreevatsan

This award honors CVM alumni who have brought distinction to their fields through research achievements.

Sreevatsan (PhD ‘95), now Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri, is celebrated for his internationally recognized leadership in microbiology, molecular epidemiology, and infectious disease. A driving force behind One Health initiatives, his foundational work on Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. avium has reshaped diagnostic development and international public health policy. Both alum and former faculty member of UMN CVM, during his tenure here as a professor and Director of Graduate Studies, Sreevatsan played a pivotal role in strengthening the college's Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases (EZD) program. With over 150 peer-reviewed publications, he remains a dedicated mentor and a global authority on the evolution and transmission of pathogens.

CVM Research Staff Excellence Award
Recipient: Katie Minor

Now in its second year, this award recognizes exceptional research staff who demonstrate technical mastery and intellectual leadership.

Minor, manager of the UMN Canine Genetics Laboratory, is honored for her more than 20 years of dedicated service and her profound impact on the field of animal genetics. She oversees a vital genetic testing service for 32 inherited canine diseases—most of which she was directly involved in discovering—and is a prolific researcher with nearly 50 publications to her name. Beyond her technical and bioinformatic expertise, Minor is celebrated for her commitment to mentoring dozens of students and her collaborative work with international breed clubs to improve animal health.

All four recipients will be celebrated at the Research, Innovation, Discovery, and Education (RIDE) Summit on June 17, 2026. Please join us in congratulating these exceptional colleagues!