Miller Named Director of Texas A&M Institute for Pre-Clinical Studies
COLLEGE STATION, TX – Dr. Matt Miller, Professor in the department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences and veterinary cardiologist at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM), has been appointed Director of the Texas A&M Institute for Pre-Clinical Studies (TIPS).
Established in 2007 as a vision of Dr. Theresa Fossum, Vice Chancellor for Global & Corporate Partnerships and the Institute’s first director, the Institute serves as a state-of-the-art research facility supporting research endeavors that require Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) methods.
“TIPS is a unique resource on this campus,” said Miller. “There is most likely not another comparable facility in the world. Our medical imaging capabilities are superior to the imaging available in many human hospitals. The availability of such an assortment of imaging equipment in one facility, as well as access to highly talented individuals trained in optimal use of that equipment, is oftentimes the difference between the success or failure of the potentially life-saving medical technology under investigation.”
Miller arrived at the CVM in 1988 after completing a cardiology residency at The Ohio State University. Once at Texas A&M, Miller helped develop the clinical cardiology program that today is considered one of the top programs in the world. While his early research emphasized improving the diagnosis and treatment of acquired and congenital heart disease in companion animals, his research interests now range from developing novel therapies for hemorrhagic shock to the evaluation of biomedical devices that aid in the management of brain aneurysms.
“Dr. Miller’s leadership in the college’s clinical cardiology program and his experience as a senior research scientist in TIPS made him a natural choice to assume the role of director at TIPS,” said Dr. Eleanor Green, Carl B. King Dean of Veterinary Medicine. “Dr. Miller worked side-by-side with Dr. Fossum to bring TIPS from vision to reality. His research expertise in comparative veterinary medicine and biomedical devices will ensure the continued growth of TIPS as a core laboratory supporting researchers from across the Texas A&M System and companies seeking treatments for the nation’s important health problems. I am confident he will lead TIPS from a young, promising, innovative facility to enormous success.”
As a part of the CVM, the TIPS team specializes in the preclinical phase of research required to gain Food & Drug Administration approval for both drugs and devices. “The team assembled at TIPS has a wealth of expertise in research,” said Dr. Bhanu Chowdhary, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies at the CVM, “including a significant amount of experience in the research protocols necessary to move new drugs and biomedical devices from the laboratory to the next stage of clinical trials. It is exciting to have this level of cutting edge technology and world-class expertise combined in one facility, and to see the growing interest of college, university, System partners and the industry in accessing this resource to enhance research and support discovery that impacts society.”
In addition to supporting researchers with experienced scientists and the tools necessary to conduct GLP-level studies, working as a part of the CVM gives the TIPS program several advantages over other similar facilities.
“It is an asset to be a part of the CVM,” said Miller. “The veterinarians, technicians, and scientists on staff at TIPS and within other departments in the college bring a perspective on comparative anatomy and physiology essential to the success of preclinical research. We have a dynamic team supported by the latest medical imaging technology and are eager to assist other researchers who may benefit by utilizing our facility as a collaborative core laboratory for their endeavors.”
Most recently, Miller served as Interim Director of TIPS, while Fossum assumed the role of Interim Vice President for Research before being appointed Vice Chancellor for Global & Corporate Partnerships.
