Christian Abee

2007 Outstanding Alumni
Dr. Christian Abee, '71

Dr. Christian Abee has established himself as an international leader in laboratory animal medicine and comparative medicine research, particularly research on the reproductive biology of nonhuman primates and animal models of human disease.

Abee is currently the R. Lee Clark Professor and Chair in the Department of Veterinary Sciences at the Michale E. Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. His current work includes five research grants totaling over $13 million.

Abee has a long and distinguished career in research and has held both administrative and teaching positions at several universities, including Tulane University, Louisiana State University and the University of Alabama. Most recently he was the Charles M. Baugh Professor and Chair of the Department of Comparative Medicine and Director of the University Biological Resources at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine before joining the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

After graduation from Texas A&M University with his DVM, he earned an M.S. in comparative medicine from Wake Forest University, where he was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship in comparative medicine.

He holds veterinary medical licenses in Alabama, Texas and North Carolina and is board certified by the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM).

Abee has authored 67 scientific publications and a chapter in a book on nonhuman primate research, and he has also served as editor of two more books on the same subject. He has been a member of 14 professional organizations and held leadership positions in several national committees, including serving as president of ACLAM and APV (Association of Primate Veterinarians).

Abee currently resides in Bastrop, TX, with is wife of 38 years, Karen. Together, they have a son and daughter: Aaron Christian, 32, and Sarah Beth, 29 and two grandchildren, Conrad Oscar Abee II (2) and Piper Scarlett Bell (2 months old).