Dr. Pedro Villegas: World Renowned Avian Virologist and Vaccine Inventor
Born in LÃbano, Tolima, Colombia, Dr. Villegas obtained his Veterinary degree from Universidad del Tolima in Colombia, completed his Masterâs degree at Texas A&M University, and his PhD at the University of Georgia before becoming a professor at UGA. During his tenure at the University, he mentored numerous graduate students at the Masterâs and PhD levels. His main work has been in the area of avian virology and control of poultry diseases, for which he has developed vaccines and procedures that help to stop the spread of poultry disease or mitigate its effects. He has published close to 100 peer reviewed articles covering different avian viruses and given nearly 300 presentations in 56 different countries.
He is a father to 3 children, including Dr. Andres Villegas, President & CEO, Georgia Forestry Association and Patricia Elena Villegas, both UGA alumni; and Pedro Villegas, a graduate from Notre Dame and UC San Diego. His wife, Angela, received her Masterâs degree from UGA and retired from working at UGA as a clinical microbiologist.