Professor Kathleen Brasky receives lifetime achievement award

Professor Kathleen Brasky, V.M.D., was honored with the 2026 American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Lifetime Excellence in Research Award, one of veterinary medicine’s most prestigious accolades.

Since 1990, Dr. Brasky has bridged veterinary medicine and human health at Texas Biomed’s Southwest National Primate Research Center. Her work has fundamentally advanced nonhuman primate models for studying diseases and developing vaccines and therapies, including for hepatitis B and C, Ebola virus and COVID-19, among many others.

“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.”

Dr. Brasky has been a steadfast advocate for the ethical and humane use of animals in research, helping strengthen animal welfare standards. She has also served as a beloved and respected mentor to countless veterinarians, technicians and scientists.

“Scientific progress is always a team effort,” Dr. Brasky said. “I have been fortunate to work with exceptional colleagues throughout my career.”