Kornegay Named Director of Texas A&M Institute for Preclinical Studies
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Dr. Joe Kornegay, a professor in the departments of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences and Veterinary Pathobiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM) at Texas A&M University and the Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience (TAMIN), has been appointed director of the Texas A&M Institute for Preclinical Studies (TIPS).
Established in 2007, the institute serves as a state-of-the-art research facility supporting preclinical studies, translational research and endeavors that require Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) methods.
“TIPS is an innovative concept in preclinical drug and medical device development and also offers excellent opportunities for collaborative research and scholarship,” said Kornegay. “The facility is the only one of its kind in the world. We are particularly positioned to extend studies to large animal models through our specialized imaging and surgical facilities. With that said, any facility is only as good as its people. TIPS is blessed with a dedicated, well trained staff committed to meeting the needs of our clients and collaborators. My goal as director will be to work with other faculty and staff to build on the vision and hard work of founding director, Dr. Terry Fossum, and the current director, Dr. Matt Miller.”
Kornegay received both his undergraduate and DVM degrees from Texas A&M and completed residency and graduate training at the University of Georgia. He previously held faculty positions at the Colleges of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University and the University of Missouri. At Missouri, Dr. Kornegay also served as clinical department chair/hospital director and later as dean. Immediately before coming to Texas A&M, he was on the faculty of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. His research on a canine model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) relates to the broader concept of “One Health,” an initiative that connects veterinary, human, and environmental health to benefit all life forms.
Most recently, Kornegay was selected to present the Recognition Lecture at the 2014 annual conference of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC). This honor is given to an individual whose leadership and vision has made a significant contribution to academic veterinary medicine and the veterinary profession.
“Dr. Kornegay’s experience as a senior research scientist and administrator make him the perfect choice to assume the role of director at TIPS,” said Dr. Eleanor M. Green, the Carl B. King Dean of Veterinary Medicine. “His research expertise in comparative veterinary medicine and biomedical sciences will ensure the continued growth of TIPS as a core laboratory supporting researchers from across The Texas A&M System and beyond, as well as developing strong mutually beneficial public-private partnerships, which support the TIPS mission. TIPS is a key piece in the spectrum from basic discovery to commercialization, which ultimately improves the health of people and animals. I am confident that Dr. Kornegay will lead TIPS with great vision and dignity.”
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 at TIPS has a tremendous amount of experience in research, particularly in medical device testing,” said Dr. Robert Burghardt, associate dean for research and graduate studies at the CVM. “We are excited to have this level of cutting-edge technology and world-class expertise combined in one facility, and we are pleased that Dr. Kornegay has agreed to lead this team.”
“The research conducted at TIPS is advancing efforts to find cures, develop devices, and investigate novel therapies for diseases and injuries that impact both animals and humans,” said Kornegay. “Working with distinguished scientists engaged in innovative and cutting-edge research, we are poised to play a role in bringing medical discoveries from bench to bedside.”
