About the Rising Star Alumni Award
The Rising Star Alumni Award recognizes a DVM graduate of the School who, within 15 years of graduation, has demonstrated outstanding professional achievement. Evidence of achievement includes national or international recognition of scientific, clinical, or veterinary education innovation or accomplishment; leadership of initiatives that promote and achieve innovative change; outstanding service benefitting animal, human or environmental health; and demonstrated leadership within the profession.
2020 Rising Star
Brian Bird, MPH, PhD, DVM
Dr. Bird is honored with the inaugural Rising Star Alumni Award for his dedication to understanding and preventing viral diseases in people and animals using the One Health approach. He is recognized as a leading One Health practitioner in the global community. Bird worked for the CDC in Africa for almost 10 years, most notably as a lead investigator during the Ebola outbreak in 2014. Bird serves as a visible global ambassador for the school, and embodies the spirit of both "scientific achievement" as well as providing "outstanding service benefitting animal, human, and environmental health.”