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K-State Today

Division of Communications and Marketing
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October 10, 2022

Ceremony celebrates success of the Biosecurity Research Institute Research Fellows program

Submitted by Stephen Higgs

three photos VPR David Rosowsky with Dr. Barbara Valent and Dr. Juergen Richt. Dr. James Stack with Dr. Marty Vanier.

At an Oct. 5 evening ceremony, the Biosecurity Research Institute Research Fellows met at Colbert Hills to celebrate the success of the program.

David Rosowsky, Kansas State University vice president for research, presented Barbara Valent, university distinguished professor in the College of Agriculture, and Jürgen Richt, the Regents distinguished professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, with certificates honoring their appointments as BRI professors.

The BRI professorships are a result of a 2014 endowed gift of $10 million from Marty Vanier and her husband Robert "Bob" Krause. The gift established the Biosecurity Research Institute Research Fellows Program and the BRI professorships.

Since 2016, the BRI Fellows have met on a regular basis to discuss data and opportunities related to research. They also host invited guest speakers of the Fellows Lecture series. Extraordinary research of the fellows is reflected in 364 peer-reviewed publications and extramural grant funding in excess of $58 million. In 2021, BRI fellows Valent and Richt were selected as BRI professors.

Other guests in attendance at the Oct. 5 ceremony included Bonnie Rush, Hodes family dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, and Ernie Minton, dean of the College of Agriculture and director of K-State Research and Extension.

At the conclusion of the event, James Stack, professor of plant pathology, presented Vanier with an engraved glass plaque on behalf of the BRI Fellows. The recognition was in appreciation of her continued commitment to the BRI and to the research, training and educational work that is conducted in this unique facility.

"Through the generosity of Dr. Marty Vanier and Bob Krause, the BRI Fellows Program was established to add value to an already impactful group of scientists," Stack said. "The program enriches the atmosphere of innovation at the BRI and engages the broader K-State community through the invited lecture series that has attracted top-notch researchers from around the nation. The awarding of BRI Research Fellow endowed professorships to Dr. Barbara Valent and Dr. Juergen Richt is evidence of the tremendous accomplishments of these two scientists as well as the success of the BRI Fellows Program. Thank you, Dr. Vanier!"