April 19, 2022
Dr. Laurie Brignolo, a professor in the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and the executive director for Research and Teaching Animal Care Program within Office of Research, has been unanimously approved to receive the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine’s (ACLAM) Mentor Award 2022.
The award recognizes individuals who have contributed substantially to the membership of ACLAM in terms of mentoring postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, or junior level ACLAM Diplomates during the course of their professional careers.
“It is an incredible honor to have been nominated for the ACLAM mentor award. It was such a surprise, and I am humbled that my colleagues saw me in that light,” she said. “I have so many people that have been instrumental in my career development through the years. I feel it’s incredibly important but also a lot of fun to share what I have learned with others on the same career path.”
Dr. Jacob Theil, senior veterinarian, Campus Veterinary Services has known Dr. Brignolo for the last 14 years as a mentor. “There are few people that I believe are more deserving of such an honor and wholeheartedly think she deserves no less than an award affirming her as a top tier teacher and guide,” he said.
In the early stages of his career, when Dr. Theil was a laboratory animal care technician at the California National Primate Research Center, Dr. Brignolo’s mentorship inspired him to pursue the field of veterinary medicine. Dr. Theil benefited from her expertise, knowledge and leadership on a daily basis. “As a health technician, Laurie directly taught me clinical techniques, worked through cases (and mistakes) with me, provided me opportunities to sit in on veterinary meetings and rounds, exemplified hard work and dedication and assisted me in the process of applying for veterinary school,” he said.
As a mentor, she champions the development of her mentees by providing them the resources necessary to pursue research, expand outreach and improve clinical skills.
Dr. Brignolo is an ACLAM diplomate. With this accomplishment, she joins the ranks of past awardees who have advanced ACLAM’s mission of humane care and responsible use of laboratory animals through certification of veterinary specialists, professional development, education and research.
The award will be presented to her in person at the ACLAM Forum Awards Dinner to be held this year at the Westin Riverfront Hotel, San Antonio, TX on Monday evening May 2, 2022.
In her role as the executive director for the Research and Teaching Animal Care Program as well as an attending veterinarian, Dr. Brignolo is responsible for long-range planning, leadership and oversight of animal care and use at UC Davis.
In addition to holding several leadership roles within UC Davis, Dr. Brignolo also serves in a number of external capacities, participating in national laboratory animal committees such as the Association of Primate Veterinarians and the American Society of Laboratory Animal Practitioners and serving on the AAALAC, International Council. She also serves as a volunteer veterinarian with the California Animal Shelter Friends to save shelter animals from euthanasia.
