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CORVALLIS - Jo-Ann C. Leong, professor and chair of the Department of Microbiology at Oregon State University, has been named the second recipient of the Emile F. Pernot Distinguished Professorship in Microbiology at OSU.

The endowed professorship was established to enhance the study of microbiology at Oregon State. It is funded in part through the Mabel E. Pernot Trust.

Leong, who has been on the OSU faculty since 1975, is a nationally recognized expert on viral diseases in salmon, trout and aquatic animals. She has been one of the primary forces behind the creation of the Center for Salmon Disease Research at Oregon State.

Since joining the OSU faculty, Leong has helped attract more than $6.5 million in grants and contracts to the university. Her research has been supported by the American Cancer Society, Bonneville Power Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Sea Grant, and several other organizations.

One of OSU's most honored faculty, Leong was named distinguished professor in 1993, and was appointed chair of the Department of Microbiology in 1996. She also has received university-wide awards for her teaching, research and service, including the OSU Alumni Association Distinguished Professor Award.

"Oregon State University is extremely fortunate to have Jo-Ann Leong on its faculty," said Frederick Horne, dean of the College of Science. "She is an outstanding microbiologist, an inspirational teacher, and an exceptional person and leader."

Leong has a Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of California-San Francisco Medical School.

The first holder of the Emile F. Pernot Distinguished Professorship in Microbiology was John Fryer, who retired last year.