Howard Dunne Memorial Award: Jim Collins

Dr. Jim Collins, director of the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, was awarded the Howard Dunne Memorial Award by the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV). Presented at the association's annual meeting in Kansas City, Missouri, March 4-7, the award recognizes an AASV member who has made important contributions and provided outstanding service to the association and the swine industry.

An accomplished author, Dr. Collins has written 192 articles and book chapters on swine and bovine infectious diseases and served the U.S. pork industry through his pioneering research on porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS). From 1995 to 1997, he was chair of the AASV's subcommittee on PRRS. He has also held a number of leadership positions in the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, the North Central Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, and the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association. In 2005, he was named Veterinarian of the Year by the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr. Collins received his veterinary degree from the University of Minnesota in 1978 and his Ph.D. in veterinary pathology from Michigan State University. Prior to joining the faculty of the College in 1986, he was an assistant professor at South Dakota State University. Dr. Collins is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists.