2004 Walter Barnard Hill Awards for Distinguished Achievement in University Public Service & Outreach

Anant V. Jain

Anant V. J first joined the faculty of the Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ADL) in 1974 and has been an important force in establishing the toxicology section of the lab as a national leader in test development and validation. Jain’s recognition of the importance of toxicology testing has led to the implementation of various tests of samples ranging from blood to stomach contents to detect the presence of toxins.

In 1982, Jain became the head of the toxicology section of the ADL; to date, he has developed, validate, and implemented 40 analytical procedures used in the lab. One of the first procedures Jain developed was one used to detect aflatoxins in mixed feeds containing citrus pulp, considered to be a high-energy source in feed given to cattle. Another screening procedure detects nitrate that accumulates in forages during drought periods, which can poison livestock. Over the past 22 years, Jain has provided over 18,000 toxicology reports to veterinarians and has performed over 5,000 consultations. Jain is also a USDA-certifies trainer and tester for sulfa on site (SOS) testing, which has been important in making Georgia’s swine meat safer consumers and has helped swine producers to save money.

Aside from his service in the field, Jain has co-taught “Methods in Toxicology” and lectures in a toxicology course for veterinary students that addresses proper sample collection, development of proper case history, and submission of samples to toxicology testing laboratories for optimum information for diagnostic purposes. Jain is also teaching a freshman seminar on chemistry and society for the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.

In 1999 the Southeast section of the Association of Analytical Communities presented Jain with the first Anant Jain Founders’ Award, which was established in his name to honor members who have provided outstanding leadership to the Charles N. Dobbins Service award for his sustained excellence in service to the citizens of Georgia and for significant contributions to the profession of veterinary medicine.

On a national level, Jain was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Association of Analytical Communities International, a group that has been asked by the Department of Homeland Security to assist with methods validation for target agents that could be used against the United States