Rate My Professor James Roth

James Roth is a Clarence Hartley Covault Distinguished Professor in Agricultural and Veterinary Science at Iowa State University, specializing in Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine. He received his DVM in 1975, MS in Veterinary Microbiology-Immunology in 1979, and PhD in Veterinary Microbiology-Immunology in 1981, all from Iowa State University. After practicing as a general veterinarian in Belle Plaine, Iowa from 1975 to 1977, Roth joined the faculty of the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine at Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 1977, progressing from adjunct instructor to full professor. Key appointments include Professor-in-Charge of the Ames Center for Animal Health from 1987 to 2002, Interim Chairman of the department from 1990 to 1992, Assistant Dean of International Programs and Public Policy from 2001 to 2004, Director of the Center for Food Security and Public Health since 2002, and Executive Director of the Institute for International Cooperation in Animal Biologics, an OIE Collaborating Center, since 1995. He also holds an adjunct professorship in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Iowa since 2006 and serves as President of Transboundary Animal Biologics, Inc. since 2008.

Roth's research centers on veterinary immunology, including immune system function in animals, cell-mediated immunity, immunosuppression and immunomodulation in livestock such as cattle, principles of vaccination and vaccine efficacy, transboundary and emerging animal diseases, zoonotic diseases, biodefense, and agroterrorism preparedness. He has edited books such as multiple editions of Virulence Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogens (1988, 1995, 2000), Emerging and Exotic Diseases of Animals (2003, 2004, 2010, 2016), and authored over 220 publications, including influential papers like "Adjuvants in Veterinary Vaccines: Modes of Action and Side Effects" (2003) and "Methods for analysis of cell-mediated immunity in domestic animal species" (2004). His contributions extend to policy through testimonies before U.S. Congress, service on federal advisory committees such as the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity, and development of secure food supply plans. Major honors include election to the National Academy of Medicine (2016), AAAS Fellow (2021), Distinguished Veterinary Microbiologist Award (2009), AVMA Public Service Award (2006), and Award for Mid-Career Achievement in Research from the Iowa State University Foundation (1994).