Dr. Sean Crosson, Rudolph Hugh Endowed Chair in the Department of Microbiology, Genetics, and Immunology, has been named recipient of the 2024 Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence. He is being recognized for his contributions to our fundamental understanding of pathogens belonging to the Brucella genus.

The nationally recognized award, funded by Zoetis since 1963, honors one researcher at each US veterinary college for innovative studies that have advanced the scientific standing of veterinary medicine.

Brucellosis is a significant and deadly disease in a variety of livestock animals and wildlife, and in humans.

Crosson’s team uses genetic, biochemical, and computational approaches to study Brucella. He is discovering new genes associated with the process by which B. abortus and B. ovis lead to brucellosis.

Recently, Crosson began studies of B. abortus in its natural host, cattle. Because it is a dangerous pathogen, any work with Brucella must follow a set of biocontainment and biosafety protocols. The team’s studies of B. abortus in cows are conducted in a USDA biosafety level-3 (BSL-3) facility in Ames, Iowa, to protect the researchers, as well as public and animal health. Most scientists conduct basic research on Brucella in laboratories. Crosson's in vivo studies are expected to yield new understandings of the infection biology underlying bovine disease.

“Dr. Crosson’s team has made fundamental discoveries into mechanisms by which B. abortus, and B. ovis, cause disease and regulate gene expression,” said Dr. Robert Abramovitch, Professor for the Department of Microbiology, Genetics, and Immunology. “He is an exceptional researcher, mentor, and leader in the field of microbial pathogenesis and genetics of veterinary pathogens belonging to the Brucella genus.”

Crosson began his career as an independent investigator at the University of Chicago and joined MSU in 2019. His accomplishments are reflected by his recent election as Fellow of the Association for the Advancement of Science, selection as an American Society for Microbiology Distinguished Lecturer speaker, and his fellowship in the American Academy of Microbiology. He has delivered more than 100 invited seminars globally and has published roughly 100 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals. Crosson’s research has been continuously supported by external funding agencies, primarily the NIH.

“Sean has a lot of traits that make him a great scientist, but I would put his dogged curiosity at the top of that list,” said Dr. Victor DiRita, Rudolph Hugh Endowed Chair in Microbial Pathogenesis, Department of Microbiology, Genetics, and Immunology, MSU. “He loves to define new questions and then aggressively goes after answers, bringing to bear any and every approach that is available.”

The Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence will be presented to Crosson during the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine Annual Phi Zeta Research Day on Friday, August 16, 2024.