UC Davis veterinary orthopedic surgeon Dr. Denis Marcellin-Little has been named the recipient of the 2026 Alan Ruggles Educator Award given by AO North America (AO NA). Presented recently at the annual OneAO event in Tampa, the award was one of several Educator Awards, honoring outstanding educators for their extraordinary contributions to medical education.
Neeru Khosla, a longtime supporter of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and a devoted animal advocate, has been named the 2026 recipient of the school’s El Blanco Award, recognizing individuals who exemplify the human-animal bond and advance veterinary care through service and philanthropy.
“We give this award every year to an individual who really recognizes the human-animal bond and helps us advance,” said Dean Mark Stetter during the ceremony on May 30, held as part of the school's annual Spring Showcase.
Dr. Gregg Cutler, a fourth-generation poultry industry professional and triple alumnus of the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine, was recognized on April 30 at the annual Spring Showcase with the school's Distinguished Service Award.
Dean Mark Stetter presented the honor, describing Cutler as someone who has "gone above and beyond for decades,” volunteering, advising, and advocating for the school with a consistency that few could match. "I can't think of anybody more appropriate for this award," Stetter said.
Dr. Adriana Garzon, a third-year resident in the Livestock Herd Health and Reproduction Service, has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 American Association of Veterinary Clinicians (AAVC) Resident Award. The recognition is given annually to a resident in their final year of training who has achieved a high degree of excellence in their chosen specialty.
The UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine has once again secured the top spot in the nation in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings of professional and graduate programs, marking its 10th consecutive year as No. 1.
The rankings, based on peer assessment surveys from academic leaders across the country, reflect the school’s sustained excellence in education, research, clinical care, and global impact since first earning the top ranking in 2016.
UC Davis placed second in the world and first in the nation in veterinary science in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. Quacquarelli Symonds, or QS, is considered one of the most influential international authorities on university rankings.
Since veterinary science was added to the rankings in 2015, UC Davis has been first in the world five times and is No. 2 for a seventh time.
On March 20, 2026, the UC Davis veterinary hospital hosted the 47th annual Gerald V. Ling Veterinary Intern and Resident Research Symposium (VIRRS). The day-long event featured short presentations of research findings from house officers (residents, fellows, interns) to fellow house officers, faculty, staff, students, and guests.
This award recognizes an SOT member who has made seminal and substantial scientific contributions to the understanding of the science of toxicology and is actively involved in toxicological research.
In recognition of a long-standing career of influential scientific contributions to neurotoxicology and her seminal work defining how environmental exposures and gene–environment interactions disrupt nervous system development and function, Pamela J. Lein, PhD, is presented with the 2026 SOT Distinguished Toxicology Scholar Award.
Thomas (Tom) Campi (B.S., ’83, DVM, MPVM, ’89) has been named the 2026 recipient of the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine’s Change Maker Award, recognizing his enduring commitment to supporting veterinary students through scholarships and fellowship.
On March 4, the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine welcomed donors, students, faculty and school leadership for our annual Evening of Gratitude, a celebration of the philanthropic support that makes scholarship and fellowships possible.
