Dr. Colin Clay, who has been on the faculty of Colorado State University since 1992, will become the new Head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences beginning on May 15. Dr. Clay will replace Dr. Barbara Sanborn who has served as Head of the Department since 2003. Dr. Sanborn will stay on at CSU, but with greater focus on her research and teaching.
“Dr. Sanborn has done an excellent job of guiding the Department of Biomedical Sciences through a period of transition, and we are greatly appreciative of her skilled leadership and attention to the importance of building teams,” said Dr. Lance Perryman, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. “Dr. Clay will now have the task of continuing to develop the Department’s strengths to take advantage of new funding opportunities, especially as we face times of economic challenge and changing national priorities.”
Dr. Clay received his academic degrees at Colorado State University, including a Bachelor of Science in animal science, and a Master of Science and doctorate in physiology with a focus on equine reproduction. In 1988 he began postdoctoral work at Case Western Reserve University where he worked in reproductive physiology with a focus molecular and cellular approaches. He then returned to Colorado State University where his research has been directed toward pituitary function as it pertains to the regulation of reproduction.
“One of the great things about the research environment at Colorado State is the ability to collaborate with scientists from a diverse set of backgrounds,” said Dr. Clay. “That type of collaboration is particularly important as funding agencies look for robust and multi-disciplinary programs and research proposals that address particular areas of biomedical sciences.”
Dr. Clay said the Department’s rich tradition of diversity in research, teaching and outreach will serve it well, with state-of-the-art cellular and molecular approaches to basic sciences, including reproductive physiology, neurosciences, and cardiovascular function; as well as applied science and clinical casework in areas including equine reproduction and agricultural animal reproductive management.
“A successful department will reflect the diversity of its faculty and their strengths,” said Dr. Clay. “We see multiple pathways to success – whether through teaching, research or outreach – and don’t want to apply one metric to everyone. That model doesn’t serve a land-grant university.”
Dr. Clay said priorities for him as he moves into his new role include creating new collaborative research teams that build on each others’ areas of expertise, developing new revenue streams, enhancing client services where appropriate, promoting the Department’s strong continuing education program, and working with liaisons in private industry.
