Dr. Angel Abuelo, a Red Cedar Distinguished Professor in Large Animal Clinical Sciences, has been named a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) for Meritorious Contributions to the Profession, one of the highest honors awarded by the organization.
For more than 140 years, the RCVS Fellowship has recognized veterinary surgeons who have made outstanding contributions to veterinary medicine. Fellowship is awarded through three routes: meritorious contributions to knowledge, clinical practice, or the profession.
Abuelo was recognized for his sustained contributions to cattle health, veterinary education, and professional standards, as well as his leadership in advancing the veterinary profession nationally and internationally.
Throughout his career, Abuelo has integrated scientific research with practical applications in cattle health. His research has examined oxidative stress and immune function in dairy cattle and calves, as well as the epidemiology and control of Salmonella Dublin, an emerging multidrug-resistant pathogen in cattle. His work has contributed to evidence-based approaches to disease prevention, antimicrobial stewardship, and herd health management.
Abuelo serves as a section editor for the Journal of Dairy Science, editor for the Merck Veterinary Manual, and senior editor for Scientific Reports. He also serves on the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education and has participated as an accreditation site visitor for both the AVMA and RCVS.
At MSU, Abuelo has focused extensively on developing the next generation of food-animal veterinarians. He co-developed and leads an online Certificate Program in Bovine Health Management, which provides early-career veterinarians with advanced training in clinical reasoning, diagnostics, and decision-making. He also directs the MSU Food Systems Fellowship Program, which provides veterinary students with experiential learning opportunities related to food-animal medicine, agricultural policy, and public health.
“We are delighted to see Angel recognized as a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons,” says Dr. Adam Lock, Interim Chair of the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences. “This prestigious honor reflects his exceptional contributions to cattle health, veterinary education, and the veterinary profession. It is a well-deserved recognition of his impact as a scholar, educator, and leader.”
“I have known Angel for over a decade and have long admired his ability to connect rigorous science with the real-world challenges facing dairy producers and veterinarians,” says Jessica McArt, Dean of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, who collaborated on Abuelo’s nomination. “His research has advanced dairy cattle health while improving outcomes for animals, producers, and the profession. He is also a dedicated mentor and educator whose influence extends far beyond his own scholarship. His election as a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons is a fitting and richly deserved recognition of his impact on veterinary medicine.”
For Abuelo, the Fellowship marks not an endpoint, but an opportunity to continue contributing to the profession.
“Election to the RCVS Fellowship is a tremendous honor, but I view it less as recognition of past achievements and more as a renewed responsibility,” says Abuelo. “Throughout my career, I have sought to serve the profession through research, education, and mentorship, while helping to build capacity in the next generation of veterinarians.”
He adds, “Joining this learned society represents an opportunity to contribute to a community dedicated to upholding professional standards, advancing veterinary expertise, and supporting animal health, public trust, and the communities we serve across disciplines and borders.”