Kansas State University

MANHATTAN -- Gary Anderson, director of the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University, is the 2013 recipient of the prestigious E.P. Pope Award presented by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians.

The award provides the highest acknowledgement of those members who have made noteworthy contributions to the association and who have advanced the implementation and recognition of the specialty of veterinary diagnostic medicine. The award is presented in memory of Edward P. Pope, who was was one of the founders of the association and served with distinction as its secretary-treasurer from 1959 to 1972.

"It's a great honor to be recognized by my peers with such a distinguished award, but it's very unexpected," Anderson said. "This award is very little about me and very much about those around me. Before accepting the nomination to be on the officer ballot in 2007, I discussed the situation with Dr. Richardson, colleagues in the department and my wife. I was encouraged to proceed, and have received outstanding support from everyone over the years -- many have stepped up and filled gaps to allow me the privilege and opportunity to serve diagnostic medicine and our association. In reality, I truly consider this an award for K-State rather than me."

Anderson became the director of the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in 2005. He earned a bachelor's degree in microbiology from South Dakota State University in 1975. He then attended Kansas State University where he earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and a master's degree in veterinary pathology in 1979. Anderson continued his studies at the University of California, Davis under Bennie Osborn -- a 1961 Kansas State University D.V.M. alumnus -- and received his doctorate in comparative pathology with a minor in immunopathology/immunovirology in 1983.

Anderson worked in the Veterinary Science Department at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln from 1983 to 1988, first as an assistant professor and later as an associate professor. In 1988, he joined Sanofi Animal Health where he was director of Development and Regulatory Affairs-Biologics, and was promoted to vice president of biological and pharmaceutical research. In 1995, Anderson formed ImmTech Biologics, where he was president, general manager and owner. In 2002, ImmTech was sold to Novartis Animal Health, and he continued to serve as vice president/director of the Immtech Division until he accepted the director position at Kansas State University.

Anderson is a member of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians and served on the executive board as its vice president in 2008, president-elect in 2009, president in 2010 and past-president in 2011. He is a member of the U.S. Animal Health Association where he serves as co-chair of the AAVLD/USAHA committee on Diagnostic Laboratory and Veterinary Workforce Development. Anderson is currently co-chair of the Coordinating Council for the National Animal Health Laboratory Network and also serves on its Methods Technical Working Group. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association, and the Academy of Veterinary Consultants.

Anderson received the Distinguished Service Award from the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association in 2008 and the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year award from the Kansas State University Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship in 2009.

The E.P. Pope Award has been awarded to other College of Veterinary Medicine alumni, including: Terry McElwain, who earned his D.V.M. in 1980, received the award in 2003, and Lawrence Morehouse, who earned his D.V.M. in 1952, was the recipient in 1976 -- the second year after the award was established. Mahlon Vorhies, who was head of the college's diagnostic medicine and pathobiology department from 1986 to 1997, received the award in 1984.