Dear Friends,
If ever there was an endeavor that relied upon the combined efforts of many, it is that of scientific discovery. This is perhaps more true today than at any other time in history as we face increasingly complex global problems from climate change to the spread of infectious disease, from pollution to poverty, and from overnutrition to undernutrition. At the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, we are embracing research collaboration through partnerships that allow us to create stronger programs of discovery by building multinational research communities.
Last month, two of our international partners were at Colorado State University to further develop partnerships that meet greater societal needs. Representatives of the National Institute of Radiological Sciences in Japan attended the first Cancer Biology Symposium to discuss ways to collaborate on future investigative endeavors. Members of the Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences and the Center for Environmental Medicine, most notably Dr. Bill Hanneman and Max Matsuura, have played a critical role in developing this partnership that may one day bring improved cancer therapeutics to patients around the world.
Also last month, representative from Iasi Technical University in Romania visited campus to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between our two universities. Dr. Roy Buchan, Professor Emeritus from the Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, has been instrumental in helping Iasi Technical establish undergraduate and graduate programs in occupational hygiene, an important area of need as Romania works to modernize its workforce and factory floors. This collaboration may one day serve as a model for other countries striving to improve their occupational health programs.
In other news impacting the College, last month we celebrated the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Research Innovation Center at the Foothills Research Campus and welcomed Dr. Rick Lyons as new Director of the Infectious Disease Research Center. Dr. Lyons takes over for Dr. Ralph Smith, who is retiring from the University after more than 27 years of service.
In budget news, there is nothing new to report and I anticipate the budget will be approved and accepted by the Board of Governors of the CSU System at their June meeting. Also in June, I’ll be traveling to Washington State University for the WICHE veterinary medical advisory meeting and look forward to reconnecting with friends and colleagues there.
I wish you an enjoyable and productive summer and look forward to seeing you on campus soon.
Best Regards,
Lance Perryman, DVM, PhD
Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
