Craig Franklin receives James Russell Lindsey Distinguished Lectureship Award

A leading figure in comparative and laboratory animal medicine, Craig Franklin is being recognized for more than 40 years of research, innovation and mentorship that have helped advance animal models, biomedical discovery and training for future scientists.

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Craig Franklin, DVM, PhD, DACLAM
Craig Franklin, DVM, PhD, DACLAM

Story contact: Nicholas Childress, CVMMarCom@missouri.edu
Photo by Karen Clifford

Craig Franklin, DVM, PhD, DACLAM, professor emeritus of pathobiology and integrative biological sciences, has received the James Russell Lindsey Distinguished Lectureship from the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine. He will deliver the Lindsey Lecture at the 2026 ACLAM Forum.

A longtime faculty member and graduate of the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, Franklin has spent more than four decades advancing laboratory animal medicine, with a focus on refining animal models to improve reproducibility and translation in biomedical research.

At Mizzou, Franklin has helped elevate the university’s role in comparative medicine research through leadership in key research resources, including the Mutant Mouse and Rat Resource and Research Centers. 

His research has examined how infectious agents and microbiota influence outcomes, helping scientists better understand and improve the reliability of animal models. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his laboratory contributed to refining a mouse model to better study the disease.

As a former director of the Comparative Medicine Program, Franklin has also mentored more than 90 post-DVM trainees and supported hundreds of veterinary students pursuing research careers.