College of Veterinary Medicine presents research excellence award to Dr. Natalia Cernicchiaro

By Joe Montgomery
June 24, 2026

Two people stand with one holding a plaque
Dr. David Renter, associate dean for research and graduate programs, presents the 2026 Zoetis Award for Research Excellence to Dr. Natalia Cernicchiaro, professor of veterinary epidemiology.

The College of Veterinary Medicine recently presented its highest research honor — the Zoetis Animal Health Award for Research Excellence — to Dr. Natalia Cernicchiaro, director of the Center for Outcomes Research and Epidemiology (CORE) and professor in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology.

The Zoetis Award for Research Excellence recognizes an exceptional faculty member in the college of veterinary medicine whose innovative studies have advanced the scientific standing of veterinary medicine.

“Dr. Cernicchiaro is an ideal recipient of this prestigious award as she is nationally and internationally recognized for her outstanding research on the epidemiology of vector-borne diseases, food safety, zoonoses and animal health issues,” said Dr. David Renter, associate dean for research and graduate programs.

“I am truly honored to receive the Zoetis Award for Research Excellence,” Dr. Cernicchiaro said. “This recognition reinforces the importance of conducting research that generates actionable evidence to improve animal health, inform decision-making, and address emerging challenges facing veterinary medicine, agriculture and public health. I am grateful to the many students, colleagues, and collaborators who have contributed to this work.”

Dr. Cernicchiaro's work focuses on the epidemiology of emerging, transboundary, and food-borne diseases in livestock systems, integrating field studies, risk modeling and evidence synthesis to support data-driven decision-making in animal and public health. She leads national and international partnerships across government, industry, and academia and is strongly committed to workforce development, mentoring future epidemiologists and One Health professionals.

Dr. Cernicchiaro has also contributed to advancing the scientific foundation of veterinary medicine through her service as an expert advisor to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Most notably, she has played a key role in the development and revision of international standards and guidance related to Japanese encephalitis (JE), helping strengthen the scientific basis for surveillance, risk assessment, reporting and disease preparedness. Her contributions have helped improve the global understanding of JE epidemiology and support evidence-based approaches to managing this important zoonotic and transboundary disease.

She has secured more than $6.5 million in research funding, including support from USDA, NCBA, SHIC, FFAR and other national and international organizations, and has published more than 110 peer-reviewed scientific papers.

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