AKC Canine Health Foundation - 10

Introducing the 2023 AKC Canine Health Foundation Asa Mays, DVM
Award Recipient for Excellence in Canine Health Research
Gary Johnson, DVM, PhD
Dr. Gary S. Johnson received a BA degree in
Chemistry from Augsburg College in 1966 and a
PhD degree in Biochemistry from Kansas State
University in 1971. Next, he did postdoctoral
studies at Johns Hopkins University. From there,
he entered Veterinary School and received a
DVM from the University of Minnesota in 1977.
He then did postdoctoral studies on canine
bleeding disorders at the New York State
Department of Health.
In 1980, he began a career as in independent
investigator in what was then the Department of
Veterinary Pathology in the College of Veterinary
Medicine at the University of Missouri. For the
first ten years, his research focused on von
Willebrand factor and other proteins involved in
platelet function and blood coagulation.
In the early 1990s, the advent of DNA amplification by the polymerase chain reaction provided
access to DNA studies for investigators with training in biochemistry. This enabled Dr. Johnson
to begin searching for mutations responsible for a wide variety of heritable diseases in domestic
animals.
Ten years ago, Dr. Johnson and colleagues were among the first to use whole genome
sequencing to identify mutations responsible for heritable canine diseases. They have used this
technology to identify the molecular genetic causes for a wide variety of heritable canine
diseases. Dr. Johnson is nearing the end of his career; however, a generous gift from the
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals ensures that canine molecular-genetic research will continue
at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine for the foreseeable future.
Join us for the award presentation on Saturday, August 12
Cocktail Reception at 6:00 pm in foyer outside of
Regency Ballroom DEF, 2nd floor.
Dinner at 7:00 pm in the Regency Ballroom DEF, 2nd floor.
2023 National Parent Club Canine Health Conference
Presented by the AKC Canine Health Foundation and Nestlé Purina PetCare

AKC Canine Health Foundation

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