Barbara J. Deeb Endowed Lecture in Comparative Medicine

This Endowed Lecture in Comparative Medicine was established in 2006 by the family of Dr. Deeb and the faculty and alumni of the Department of Comparative Medicine. The lectureship honors her scientific contributions in the field of Comparative Medicine and to the specialty veterinary practice of small mammals.

After graduation from the University of Illinois with a D.V.M. in 1963, Dr. Deeb completed a M.S. in Preventive Medicine from the University of Washington in 1966. Subsequently, Dr. Deeb moved to Beirut, Lebanon , where she was on the faculty of the American University of Beirut . There she conducted research on toxoplasmosis in cats, while teaching and supervising the laboratory animal facility. Dr. Deeb joined the faculty of the Department of Comparative Medicine at the University of Washington in1983 and remained there until 1996, when she opened her own practice, Allpet Veterinary Clinic, as well as a diagnostic laboratory, Sound Diagnostics, which specialized in serology for small mammals.

Dr. Deeb made significant contributions in the area of pathogenic infections of animals, particularly, rodents and rabbits. She contributed several book chapters on diseases of rabbits. Dr. Deeb had a strong interest in the human-animal bond and animal welfare, which she expressed through her activities with the Delta Society. She died from cancer May 9, 2005 .

In establishing this lectureship, the department envisioned that the lecturer be chosen on the basis of having made significant contributions and important advances in biomedical research through the use of animals.

2006 Deeb Lecture – May 11, 2006

Jerrold Ward, DVM, PhD. _ Chief, Infectious Disease Pathogenesis Section, Comparative Medicine Branch, NIAID, NIH .

2007 Deeb Lecture – October 29, 2007

Richard Palmiter, PhD. _ Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute & Professor, Biochemistry at the University of Washington.

2008 Deeb Lecture – Thursday, May 29, 2008