Rustin Moore

Rustin M. Moore, DVM, PhD and Diplomate ACVS assumed the role of dean of Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. He has led the college through two five-year terms marked by a series of notable accomplishments, which led the Board of Trustees to extend his term through 2027. 
Prior to becoming dean, he served in various leadership roles at the college between 2006-2015, including chair of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Associate Dean for Clinical Programs, Executive Director of the Veterinary Medical Center, and Associate Executive Dean.

A champion for the veterinary profession, Dr. Moore has a BS from West Virginia University and a DVM and PhD from Ohio State. He has taught at all levels of the undergraduate, professional and graduate curricula, both at Ohio State and at Louisiana State University.  His clinical interests include equine health, with a focus on lameness and colic, and the development of effective preventive and therapeutic strategies. As a researcher, he has been a principal or co-investigator on approximately 120 grant-funded projects. He has authored or co-authored more than 15 book chapters, and his work has been published in 125 peer- or editor-reviewed manuscripts and 175 scientific abstracts.

Dr. Moore has been a passionate advocate for animal health and has led community outreach and disaster response initiatives such as the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of nearly 500 horses after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. He serves on multiple boards and is a sought-after speaker on topics such as community building in the college and university environments, the importance of biodiversity, competency-based veterinary education and care, and the One Health approach to animal, human and environmental health.

Following his 2016 TEDx talk titled The Power of a Pet, Dr. Moore has been frequently invited to share his passion, perspective and expertise about the human-animal bond. His book on this often-mystifying connection, Unleashing the Bond: Harnessing the Power of Human-Animal Interactions, will be published in 2025.
 

Professional Training and Experience

• BS, West Virginia University, 1986
• DVM, OSU, 1989
• PhD, OSU, 1994
• Assistant Professor, Louisiana State University, 1994
• Associate Professor, Louisiana State University, 1997
• Professor, Louisiana State University, 2000

Research Interests

• Pathophysiology of acute laminitis in horses
• Equine gastrointestinal physiology, pharmacology and pathophysiology
• Equine gastrointestinal surgery and its associated complications
• Equine vascular and nonvascular smooth muscle physiology and pharmacology
• Pathophysiology and mediators of endotoxemia and shock\

Research Summary

• Understanding the pathophysiology of acute laminitis in horses and the subsequent development of effective therapeutic and preventive strategies.
• Understanding the physiology, pharmacology and pathophysiology of vascular and nonvascular smooth muscle pertaining to laminitis and gastrointestinal and respiratory tract disease in horses leading to the discovery of novel and effective preventative and therapeutic strategies for horses with laminitis, colic and heaves.
• Understanding the pathophysiology of gastrointestinal disease (colic) in horses, including ischemia, ischemia-reperfusion injury and endotoxemia and identifying more effective treatments.

Select Honors and Awards

• West Virginia University Academy of Distinguished Alumni, 2015
• National Gamma Award, Omega Tau Sigma Fraternity, 2012
• Commencement Speaker, Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, West Virginia, 2010 University
• Lifetime Achievement Award, Fifth International Equine Conference on Laminitis and Diseases of the Foot, 2009
• Bud and Marilyn Jenne Professorship in Equine Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, 2008 to present
• Marty Simensen Memorial Trophy, Dressage at Devon, 2006
• Paula and Milton W. Shepard Professorship in Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, October 2004
• Faculty Distinguished Scholar Award, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, 2002
• LSU Distinguished Faculty Award, Louisiana State University, 2001
• Greater Baton Rouge Area Forty Under 40, Baton Rouge Business Report, 1997
• Young Distinguished Alumni Award, West Virginia University College of Agriculture and Forestry Alumni Association, 1997
• Pfizer Animal Health Award for Research Excellence, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, 1996

Select Professional Memberships and Service

• American Veterinary Medical Association, Member, 1989 to present
• American College of Veterinary Surgeons, Member, 1994 to present
• American Association of Equine Practitioners, Member, 1994 to present
  • Member, AAEP on Call Team, 2008 to present
  • Equine Research Coordination Group Committee, Member, 2003 to present
  • AAEP Foundation Past Presidents’ Fellow Scholarship Subcommittee, Member, 2006 to 2014
  • AAEP Foundation Advisory Committee, 2006-2012
  • AAEP State Equine Emergency Network, Liaison, 2006 to 2009
  • Board of Directors, At Large Member, 2006 to 2009
  • AAEP Foundation Research Subcommittee, Member, 2005 to 2009
  • Education Task Force Organizer, Chair and Moderator of Education Summit, Cincinnati, OH, 2007
  • Educational Programs Committee, Member, 2004 to 2007
  • State Equine Emergency Network, Liaison, 2006 to 2009
  • Educational Programs Committee, Member, 2004 to 2007
  • Research Committee, Member (1997 to 2002) and Chair (2000 to 2002)
• American Association of Veterinary Clinicians (AAVC)
  • Member, 1994 to present
  • Executive Committee, 2010 to 2013
  • Immediate Past President, 2012 to 2013
  • President, 2011 to 2012
  • President Elect, 2010 to 2011
• American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS)
  • Liaison to Public Outreach Committee, October 2010 to 2013
    • Large Animal Liaison to Resident Credentialing Committee, October 2010 to 2013
    • Website Redesign Working Group, October 2010 to 2013
  • Examination Committee, July 2000-February 2004
    • Examiner for Oral Exam for the European College of Veterinary Surgeons, 2004
  • Publications Committee, Member, January 1995 to December 1997
    • Chair, January 1997 to December 1997
• Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Inc. - Research Advisory Committee, Member, 1998 to 2000
• USA Equestrian, Inc. - Scientific Review Panel - Research Committee, Member, 2000 to 2003
• Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association (LVMA)
  • LVMA Equine Committee
    • District 9 Representative - 2000 to 2006
    • Equine Committee Foundation - Member & President, 2005 to 2006

Leadership and Administrative Service

• Alice Lloyd Finley Memorial Research Farm, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, July 2014 to present
• College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Associate Executive Dean, 2014 to present
• Veterinary Medical Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Acting Director, 2009 to 2011, and Executive Director, 2011 to present
• College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Associate Dean of Clinical and Outreach Programs, 2011 to 2014
• Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, 2006 to 2014
• Equine Health Studies Program, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University - Director, 2000 to 2006
• Veterinary Teaching Hospital & Clinics, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University - Service Chief, Equine Medicine and Surgery, 2000 to 2006

Graduate Student, Resident and Intern Mentoring

• 9 Thesis (MS) Student Committees - 5 major or co-major professor
• 12 Doctoral (PhD) Student Committees - 7 major or co-major professor
• Advisor/Mentor for 16 Residents and 24 Interns

Publications