Guy Palmer
College of Veterinary Medicine
Guy Palmer is known worldwide as a pathologist and investigator in infectious diseases who leads research into how microbial pathogens persist and evade the immune response. This research has led to improved prediction of transmission risk and innovative approaches to vaccine development. The overall goal of this research is to improve control over animal diseases with direct benefits for human health and well-being.
Biography
Dr. Palmer earned a bachelor’s degree in biology followed by a doctorate in veterinary medicine at Kansas State University. He completed a residency in comparative pathology in 1983 and is board-certified in anatomic pathology by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (1984). With support from a National Institutes of Health fellowship, he completed a doctorate in microbiology in 1984 with dissertation research in rickettsial immunity. After completion of an additional post-doctoral fellowship, Dr. Palmer joined the faculty in the Departments of Comparative/Experimental Pathology and Infectious Diseases at the University of Florida. Since 1988, with the exception of two years spent as a senior research fellow in Switzerland and Spain, Dr. Palmer has been at Washington State University and, since 1993, served as professor of microbiology and pathology. Internationally, Dr. Palmer has directed collaborative vaccine development research for vector-borne diseases in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina.
Awards and Honors
- 2006 Member, Institute of Medicine of the National Academies
- 2004-2005 Senior Research Fellow with the Department of Pathology in Zaragoza, Spain
- 1996-2000 Newbrey Teaching Scholar Award, Washington State University
- 1995-1996 Senior Research Fellow with the Institute of Pathology at the University of Bern, Switzerland
- 1995-1996 Ciba-Geigy Research Fellowship
- 1995 National Merck Award for Teaching Creativity
- 1994 Brazilian National Science Foundation Visiting Professorship
- 1993, 1995, and 1997 University Merck Teaching Awards
- 1992 SmithKline Beecham Award for Research Excellence
- Teacher of the Year, DVM Class of 1991, Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine
- 1987-1988 Teacher of the Year, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine
- 1984 Animal Health Institute Foundation Award for Excellence in Doctoral Research
- 1984 Diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Pathologists
- 1983 Squibb Animal Health Resident Research Award
Dr. Palmer’s research focuses on understanding the
transmission dynamics of vector-borne diseases and
developing innovative approaches to vaccine development.