KNOXVILLE — Dr. Barry Rouse, veterinarian and an immunologist in the Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Services at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, has received the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Lifetime Excellence in Research Award. The national award is given annually in recognition of outstanding contribution to the veterinary or biomedical professions through basic, applied or clinical research.

Dr. Barry Rouse, veterinarian and an immunologist in the Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Services at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, has received the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Lifetime Excellence in Research Award. ​Photo courtesy UTIA.

When Rouse joined the UT faculty in 1977, there were fewer than 10 viral immunologists in the world, and he was the first one to work with the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) model in mice.

Named a Distinguished Professor in 1994 and a UTIA Institute Professor in 2017, Rouse is world-renowned for his immunopathology research discoveries involving HSV-1 and ocular disease. His research has been continuously funded by the NIH since 1978, garnering more than $20 million in funding and producing more than 400 peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts.

Passionate about training and developing the next generation of scientists, Rouse has mentored more than 75 graduate students and post-doctoral fellows who have enjoyed successful academic careers at places like the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Stanford University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. His past and current students identify him as not only tough on them but tough on everybody; he questions the status quo and counts among his hobbies “making people discuss and defend their views.”

Rouse is often invited to lecture, deliver keynote addresses and present his scholarly research across the world. He has also won several awards for his research most notable of which was the Alcon award for his contributions to vision research and an award from the Humboldt foundation which supported sabbatical leave in Mainz, Germany. He has been very active in grant reviewing for NIH and other research funders. He is a member of numerous editorial boards and a reviewer for many journals.

A 1965 veterinary graduate of the University of Bristol in England, Rouse also earned a doctoral degree in immunology at the University of Guelph, performed postdoctoral studies at the world renowned Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Australia, and earned a Doctor of Science degree at the University of Bristol.

The Lifetime Excellence in Research Award was presented at the National Veterinary Scholars Symposium held at Texas A&M University in August.

One of 30 veterinary colleges in the United States, the UT College of Veterinary Medicine educates students in the art and science of veterinary medicine and related biomedical sciences, promotes scientific research and enhances human and animal well-being.

The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture celebrates 50 years of excellence in providing Real. Life. Solutions. through teaching, discovery, and service. ag.tennessee.edu.