Dr. Diane Sutton is being honored in Category 6: Improving Government Efficiency for four decades of leadership in protecting U.S. animal health and strengthening the nation’s agricultural system. As the longtime National Scrapie Program Coordinator and Assistant Director for Policy and Regulatory Development, she has combined scientific research, policy expertise, and stakeholder collaboration to build a modern, risk-based approach to controlling and eradicating scrapie in U.S. sheep.

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Dr. Sutton led the development of science-based regulations, national policies, and import/export protocols while advancing diagnostic tools and research into genetic resistance and disease transmission. Her ability to translate complex science into practical policies for producers and animal health professionals helped achieve a greater than 99% reduction in scrapie prevalence, one of the nation’s most significant animal disease control accomplishments.

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Her work has protected the food and agricultural system, reduced economic risks for producers, strengthened confidence in U.S. agricultural products, and improved the effectiveness of disease detection and response nationwide. As one of the country’s leading experts on scrapie transmission, Dr. Sutton has also authored foundational research and mentored generations of animal health professionals. Her legacy extends beyond the near-eradication of scrapie to the enduring scientific, regulatory, and operational framework that continues to protect American agriculture and the public.