Abstract
Dr. Charles C. Capen, DVM, PhD, DACVP, FIATP
Dr. Charles C. Capen was presented with the STP Achievement Award at the awards ceremony on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 during the 25th Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicologic Pathology held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, The presentation of this prestigious Award was made on behalf of the Society by Dr. Hugh Black. Dr. Capen was honored for his leadership in the field of Veterinary Pathology through his research and extensive publications in the area of endocrine pathology, for his participation in national and international scientific advisory committees, for his con tributions to his university and to his students, and for his active participation in professional organizations.
Dr. Capen grew up on his family’s dairy farm in the state of Washington, a farm which he still owns and maintains. Upon graduation from high school he attended Washington State University in Pullman where he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (With Honors) in 1960. In 1961 he received his Master of Science degree in Veterinary Pathology from The Ohio State University in Columbus Ohio and in 1965 received his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Veterinary Pathology, also from The Ohio State University. His dissertation titled “Functional Pathology of the Parathyroid Glands of Cows with Experimental Hypervitaminosis D” was consistent with what would be his life interest, that of endocrine comparative pathology. Upon completing his PhD, Dr. Capen was invited to join the faculty in the Department of Veterinary Pathology at Ohio State and achieved the position of Professor in 1970.
Dr. Capen’s academic leadership was exemplified in his role as Chairperson of the Department of Veterinary Biosciences at The Ohio State University from 1981 to 2002. Since joining the Department, he has served as academic advisor to 22 PhD and 10 Masters Degree graduate students and served on the examining committee for a total of 73 PhD students. Many of his graduate students have gone on to have distinguished careers of their own with significant responsibilities in academia or in fields related to drug development and regulation.
In addition to his excellence as a teacher and administrator, Dr. Capen has made outstanding research contributions that are documented in over 400 research publications and scholarly reviews in high impact journals and major textbooks in toxicology pathology, endocrine toxicology and comparative pathology. His research has used methods spanning from molecular to ultrastructural to classical morphological approaches to understanding disease processes and how they may be influenced by both endogenous and exogenous factors. He has served as a member of the editorial board of 10 journals and as an ad hoc reviewer for numerous other journals.
Dr. Capen has a remarkable record of service as an academic leader both on and off campus. At OSU he has been a major contributor to building linkages between the Veterinary Medical and Human Medical communities. Since 1972 he has served both as a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, College of Medicine at The Ohio State University and as a member of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. Off campus, he continues to be in great demand as a member of advisory panels for organizations such as the Food and Drug administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, International Life Sciences Institute,
National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Health, International Agency for Research on Cancer, and National Academy of Science/National Research Council. He had advised numerous private multi-national companies on the development and safety evaluation of new pharmaceuticals and chemicals.
Dr. Capen has received many recognitions for the expertise he has developed and for the contributions he has made to major scientific institutions as well as to his university. Most notable of these was his selection as a Member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. In recognition of the high standards he set when teaching students, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine annually presents the Charles C. Capen Teaching Excellence Award for Graduate Education. The Ohio State University honored him with the designation, Distinguished University Professor. Dr. Capen was honored by his colleagues as a Distinguished Member of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, and this year, by his colleagues in the Society of Toxicologic Pathology with the STP Achievement Award.
Dr. Capen has contributed significantly to the professional associations that support Veterinary Pathology. He has served as President of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists and as President of the Society of Toxicologic Pathology.
He has served as Chairperson of the Accreditation Committee of the International Academy of Toxicologic Pathology and presently is serving as the President of the Academy. In addition to his roles at the most senior levels of our professional societies, Dr. Capen has served on many committees of each of the societies and has given frequent and in depth scientific presentations at their respective meetings.
Since retiring as Chairperson of the Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Dr. Capen has continued to play an active role in the Department through teaching responsibilities, research and as an advisor to graduate students. His classroom teaching includes the Core Course in Endocrine Pathology. He serves as Co-Director for the program on Fundamentals of Oncology, participates in the program in Advanced Systemic Pathology and teaches a Graduate Course in Endocrinology.
Besides his very busy professional career, Dr. Capen and his wife, Sharon, are each accomplished wildlife photographers. They have traveled the world photographically recording birds and animals in their respective habititats. The Capens’ collection of wildlife photographs are of outstanding quality and on occasion are exhibited for the pleasure of the public.
The Society of Toxicologic Pathology honored Dr. Capen with the STP Achievement Award for being an outstanding example of the contributions a veterinary pathologist can make to the welfare of modern society and for his role as an ambassador for the discipline of Veterinary Pathology.