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Story contact: Nicholas Childress, CVMMarCom@missouri.edu
Photo by Abbie Lankitus
Wenjun Ma, PhD, a professor of virology in the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine and School of Medicine, has received the Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence. The honor recognizes individuals whose work is advancing the scientific standing of veterinary medicine.
A faculty member in the Department of Pathobiology and Integrative Biomedical Sciences and the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Ma is internationally recognized for his research on influenza viruses and zoonotic emerging infectious viral diseases. His work focuses on understanding viral transmission and pathogenicity, improving vaccine and antiviral development and strengthening strategies to protect both animal and public health.
The Zoetis Award highlights investigators whose innovative and impactful research is shaping the future of veterinary and biomedical sciences. Ma was selected based on the strength of his research program, including recent success in securing federal funding.
Ma has led several federally funded projects, including multiple awards since joining Mizzou in 2020. These include grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to create new vaccines for highly pathogenic avian influenza and other new diseases. His research aims to address complex, real-world challenges in animal and public health.
“Dr. Ma is performing leading-edge infectious disease research and working to translate fundamental scientific observations into novel therapeutics for viral diseases such as influenza,” said Christian Lorson, PhD, Mizzou’s associate vice chancellor for research and strategic initiatives. “He is exceptionally deserving of the Zoetis Research Award and his high-impact publications and successful USDA and NIH grant portfolio further validate the high-quality work his lab is performing.”