Award for Global Engagement

Dr. Andres Perez’s research and commitment to training and capacity building has led to substantial improvements in animal and human health throughout Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Under his leadership, the University of Minnesota Center for Animal Health and Food Safety has been recognized as a preeminent institution in food safety-related research and training, being named a World Organization for Animal Health collaborating center for capacity building of veterinary services and a Food and Agriculture Organization of the United States reference center for veterinary public health.

Dr. Perez has greatly contributed to the professional development of high-quality graduate and postdoctoral students, who today hold key positions in animal health throughout the world, especially in developing countries. Many epidemiologists trained by Dr. Perez now lead the epidemiology divisions, animal health programs, or veterinary services of countries and states in Latin America, Asia, and Africa.

As part of his commitment to capacity building, Dr. Perez serves as academic co-director of ProgRESSVet, which has created and implemented a training program, delivered primarily online, to enhance the human resources of veterinary services. ProgRESSVet is currently being implemented in 26 countries in Africa, 19 countries in Latin America, and two countries in Southeast Asia.

Dr. Perez has also played a significant role in response and preparedness activities related to African Swine Fever. He provided advice to governments in a number of ASF-infected countries, including Vietnam, the Philippines, and the Dominican Republic, and supported evaluation of the first-ever commercially licensed ASF vaccine.