Legere Receives Award For Excellence In Graduate Research
Story by Harley Nokes, VMBS Communications
Dr. Rebecca Legere, a doctoral student in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS), was recently honored as a 2022-2023 recipient of the Ethel Ashworth-Tsutsui Memorial Award for Research.
The award recognizes graduate students who distinguish themselves in research and is offered in remembrance of Dr. Ethel Ashworth-Tsutsui, a long-time professor in the biochemistry and biophysics department at Texas A&M University and founding member of Women In Science and Engineering (WISE).
“I’m truly honored to receive this award,” Legere said. “It was definitely a team effort getting here, and I’m really proud to show off the great work we are doing.”
The award was presented by WISE, an organization that encourages young women to pursue science and engineering careers and provides support and resources for those currently pursuing science and engineering degrees.
“Becky’s receiving this award reflects that the laboratory and the department provide an environment where women scientists can succeed and serve as role models and mentors for other women pursuing careers in veterinary clinical research,” said Dr. Noah Cohen, Legere’s faculty adviser and the associate department head for research and graduate studies.
Legere’s research as a clinician in the biomedical sciences graduate program has resulted in a new form of vaccination for young horses.
“I am especially pleased that Dr. Legere received the Ethel Ashworth-Tsutsui Award this year,” said Dr. Michael Criscitiello, a member of Legere’s dissertation committee and the VMBS associate dean for research and graduate studies. “Her recent publication is an exciting step toward delivery of a passive immunization to thwart pneumonia in foals.”
Cohen shared that Legere’s work in developing vaccinations to prevent infectious diseases in young horses comes from her dedication, intellect, enthusiasm for science, passion for teaching, generosity, and kindness.
“I feel ineffably fortunate that she chose to be a student in my laboratory,” Cohen shared. “It has been an enormous pleasure and a great privilege to work and learn together with Dr. Legere.”
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Contact Information: Jennifer Gauntt, Director of VMBS Communications, Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, jgauntt@cvm.tamu.edu, 979-862-4216
