Prestigious scientific cup and medal awarded to Professor David Noakes

Professor David Noakes has been awarded the British Veterinary Association’s most esteemed scientific award at BVA Members’ Day in Swansea, Wales.

In recognition of his outstanding scientific contribution to the field of veterinary reproduction and obstetrics, Professor Noakes BVetMed PhD DipECAR DSc DVRep FRCVS has today (19 September) received the 2019 Dalrymple-Champneys Cup and Medal, which is presented each year to a BVA member whose work is of outstanding merit and supports the advancement of veterinary science.

Professor Noakes’ career has spanned 60 years from mixed and farm animal work practice, through to working as a research scientist at in the Physiology and Biochemistry Section of Unilever’s Research Laboratory, Vice Principal and later, Professor of Veterinary Obstetrics and Diseases of Reproduction at the Royal Veterinary College.

He has over 150 peer-reviewed papers, co-author/editor of the textbook Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics now in its 10^th edition and has been presented with several prominent recognitions for his work. These include the Royal Agricultural Society of England Bledisloe Veterinary Award for contributions to knowledge in the field of veterinary obstetrics and reproduction, and an Honorary Membership of European Veterinary Society for Small Animal Reproduction.

In response to being awarded the Cup and Medal, Professor Noakes said:

“It is a great honour to be awarded the Dalrymple-Champneys Cup and Medal for 2019. In my 58 years as a veterinary surgeon, and 60 years as a member of BVA, I have been very fortunate to have worked in three different areas of veterinary endeavour, namely a five-man mixed practice doing mainly large animal work, seven years in full time research and then nearly 32 years at the Royal Veterinary College. 

“During the last 60-plus years I have witnessed huge changes, most of which have been for the better. For example, the diversification of the profession with a huge increase in the numbers of women, an increase in ethnic diversity, greater support of sexual diversity with the formation of BVLGBT+, and finally the development of the veterinary nursing profession. On the down side, the apparent disillusionment of substantial numbers of new graduates with work in practice.”

Awarding the Cup and Medal for 2019, BVA President Simon Doherty said:

“It is an absolute pleasure to present Professor Noakes with this award. He has made a truly outstanding contribution to the profession during his career as an active researcher, clinician and teacher and this has been applied across the fields of production and companion animal reproduction. I am also delighted to say that he has been a BVA member for over 60 years.

“His remarkable scientific achievements, combined with being incredibly generous in giving his time to others, has resulted in a very significant advancement of the discipline of veterinary reproduction and animal welfare and makes him a most worthy recipient.”