February 22, 2013

• New opportunities continue to abound for CVM, as we recently received, from the President's AUF, $5M in funding to support the construction of a Multi-Species Research Building (MSRB).  All colleges on campus competed for $15M of non-recurring funds in the President's AUF. The MSRB not only will allow the completion of animal research facilities promised to Dr. Joe Kornegay for his colony of muscular dystrophy dogs, but also will meet critical needs throughout our college and across campus for canine and other large animal (as in non-rodent) research.  The College of Liberal Arts requested and was granted $450,000 of the President's AUF to give TIPS the capacity to provide functional MRI.
• Yesterday marked the conclusion of the 2013 CVM Graduate Student and Postdoc Research Symposium with a banquet at Pebble Creek and the presentation of numerous research awards.  Congratulations to Will Frank [mentor:  Dr. Greg Johnson] and Tam Nguyen [mentor: Dr. Randy Stewart], who each received $4,000 awards for their $75,000 USDA Fellowships. Congratulations also to the following students who were recognized: Felipe Avila, Zoe Browning, Ryan Doan, Raju Gautam, Fengguang Guo, Anas Khanshour, Jonathan Lidbury, Sara Mashoof, Sang Shin Park, Lisbeth Ramirez, Onkar Sawant, Kelly Scribner, Kylee Veazey, Xuan Yu, and Katie Zychowski.  A special recognition is deserved by the phenomenal faculty mentors of these budding research scientists and by the Graduate and Post-Doc Associations for their contributions. The attendance of 120 at the banquet was a record.  Finally, I cannot thank Associate Dean Bhanu Chowdhary & staff enough for their efforts, not only in supporting this important endeavor which highlights graduate student research in CVM, but especially in revamping the graduate program as they have.
• Organizational efforts are presently underway for a 2-day stem cell conference on Monday/Tuesday, March 25 and 26, 2013.  This conference will officially launch the $14M Texas Emerging Technology Fund initiative with the creation of a Center for Cell and Organ Biotechnology, a partnership between the Texas Heart Institute in Houston and the TAMU-CVM.   The conference will commence on Monday in Houston and conclude on Tuesday in College Station, and will feature scientific presentations by faculty at THI and TAMU-CVM.  Additional information will be forthcoming.
• Exciting construction developments….the architects have arrived, and planning is officially underway on the new $120M Veterinary Education Building and Small Animal Hospital expansion.  Members of the college and hospital administration met with the architects last Thursday and Friday, and some initial architectural drawings and renderings will be a reality soon.
• Monday, February 25, marks the official start of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, and I want to extend a special thanks to those individuals who will be volunteering at our CVM exhibit from February 25 thru March 17.  This exhibit represents a unique opportunity to visit with Texans of all ages about the exciting new developments and career options associated with veterinary science and the life sciences.  Thanks also to Dr. Leslie Easterwood and other clinicians who assist HLSR.
• Next week, Aggieland will open its doors, as we host the winter meeting of the Texas Veterinary Medical Association on March 1-3.  The TVMA is a great partner and represents an excellent opportunity for faculty and student interaction: in fact, the TVMA holds their meetings in College Station to have interactions with students and faculty, so I hope you will allow students to attend and also attend.  Meetings will be held at the College Station Hilton, and online registration ends today.  Click here for more information http://www.tvma.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=9
• A special thanks to almost 20 faculty who responded to the Provost's request seeking volunteers to participate in the Spring 2013 pilot program of the IDEA student evaluation program.   Your commitment and support in evaluating this program are applauded.
• I have been on the road representing the CVM at numerous meetings including the North American Veterinary Conference, Association of American Veterinary Medicine College Dean's Conference, and the American Quarter Horse Association Animal Welfare Commission.   Of particular interest is my role as AAVMC representative on the AVMA Veterinary Workforce Advisory Group.  The AVMA has hired a consulting group to determine supply and demand for the veterinary workforce in the US.  The messaging will be as important as the actual numbers, so it is an imposing responsibility to represent the veterinary colleges of North America.
• Our faculty, staff and students continue to be recognized for high standards of excellence, both within and beyond our College.  CONGRATULATIONS TO ……
  • Dr. Ian Tizard, our newest University Distinguished Professor in the CVM.   Dr. Tizard, Professor in the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, joins an illustrious group of veterinary colleagues who have been honored with this designation, including Drs. Stephen Safe, James Womack and Tim Phillips in CVM.   Please mark your calendar for Tuesday, April 23, at 2:00 p.m. for a reception in Dr. Tizard's honor.
  • Dr. Wesley Bissett, Assistant Professor in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, who recently received a $23,915 computer access fee grant.
  • Dr. Roy Pool has been selected as a recipient of a 2013 Alumni Achievement Award by his alma mater, the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis.  The award was given in recognition of his experience and contributions as an orthopedic pathologist with a dedication to improving clinical veterinary medicine through teaching, service and research.   Congratulations to Dr. Pool.
• As we approach Spring, the CVM is gearing up for lots of activities and special events - mark your calendar and stay tuned!
  • Friday, April 5 - Honors Convocation, White Coat Ceremony, and Outstanding Alumni Dinner
    vetmed.tamu.edu/homecoming
  • Saturday, April 6 - Parents' Day and Homecoming Luncheon
  • Saturday, April 20 - CVM Open House
  • Thursday, May 9 - CVM Professional Programs Graduation  [2:00 p.m. - Rudder Auditorium]
  • Friday, May 10 - CVM Graduate and BIMS  [2:00 p.m. - Reed Arena]
  • Friday, May 31 - College Picnic [11:30 a.m. -- Lameness Pavilion]