Cockerell, Gary L.
Gary L. Cockerell, DVM, PhD
Dr. Gary Cockerell received his DVM degree from the University of California-Davis in 1970. After serving three years as a Veterinary Laboratory Animal Officer at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, he came to Ohio State and in 1976 completed a PhD in experimental pathology in the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology (now Veterinary Biosciences). That same year Dr. Cockerell became board certified by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP).
Dr. Cockerell served for 22 years in academic departments of veterinary pathology, first at Cornell University and then at Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences where he became a full professor in 1985. During this time Dr. Cockerell managed a full-time research laboratory focused on infectious disease, taught in the professional and graduate curricula, and participated in necropsy and surgical pathology services. He was a dedicated teacher and educator, serving as primary advisory for four PhD trainees and advisor for over 29 PhD and three MS graduate students. He has authored or co-authored more than 70 peer-reviewed scientific publications and book chapters. Dr. Cockerell is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Society of Toxicologic Pathology, and is a Diplomate of the ACVP where he has served as Secretary/Treasurer and President.
In 1998, Dr. Cockerell joined Pharmacia and Upjohn as Director of Investigative Toxicology where he established an in vitro screening platform and mechanistic toxicology program to elucidate toxicities of early lead compounds. Since 2003, Dr. Cockerell has served as a private veterinary pathology consultant, including founding and serving as Director of the ACVP/STP Coalition for Veterinary Pathology Fellows, a program partnering biopharmaceutical sponsors with North American universities to create new training positions for veterinary pathologists. The Coalition has now established 13 new training positions for veterinary pathologists.
Dr. Cockerell is currently founder and president of Cockerell Alliances in Grand Junction, Colorado.His company forges alliances between academia and the biopharmaceutical industry to train additional veterinary pathologists. This effort, along with Dr. Cockerell's stellar record in leadership, research, teaching, and service strongly support his recognition as one of our 2011 Distinguished Alumni.
