College to welcome Christine Petersen, DVM, PhD, as Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies
Originally Published
The college will welcome Christine Petersen, DVM, PhD, who will assume the role of Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies no later than July 1, 2024.
Dr. Petersen obtained her DVM from Cornell University and her PhD from the Harvard School of Public Health. Her academic career as a faculty member spans twenty years at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine and more recently the University of Iowa College of Public Health.
A member of the prestigious National Academy of Medicine, Dr. Petersen will join us from the University of Iowa, where she is a professor in the Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, and the Director of the Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, a One Health center focused on establishing best practices for surveillance, diagnosis, and prevention of novel or re-emerging infectious diseases.
Dr. Petersen has focused her research on the intersection of zoonotic, vector-borne diseases, and emerging infectious diseases. She has established herself as a prominent figure in the field, garnering national and international recognition and earning numerous awards and grants. Dr. Petersen is also deeply committed to mentoring students and has played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of veterinary scientists.
An accomplished researcher and educator, Dr. Petersen has made substantial contributions to the field of One Health. Her extensive prior experience equips her with the skills required to excel in this role, where she will be responsible for the planning and implementation of initiatives aimed at bolstering the influence and standing of our research programs. Additionally, she will play a key role in fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and advancing our graduate
program.
As the college prepares for Dr. Petersen’s arrival, we extend our most heartfelt thanks to Pat Green, PhD, who has served as the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies for the past 13 years. Dr. Green has made numerous notable contributions during this time and had positive impacts on the college,
university, and beyond. These include serving as a mentor to graduate students and faculty; serving in numerous leadership roles at the Comprehensive Cancer Center, Center for Retrovirus Research; maintaining the longest-running NIH program project grant at the university of 20 years; securing startup funds from the Comprehensive Cancer Center and other university-level units as part of faculty recruitment efforts; helping to establish and oversee our college signature programs; assisting with securing funds and overseeing the renovation of research facilities; and much more.
Dr. Green will continue to contribute through his various college and university leadership roles, oversee his robust research program and continue contributing as a faculty member of the college upon Dr. Petersen assuming the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies position.
The college would like to recognize the dedication of its search committee, including Prosper Boyaka, PhD, Department of Veterinary Biosciences Chair, Andy Bowman, MS, DVM, PHD, DACVPM, Teresa Burns, DVM, PHD, DACVIM, Cynthia Carnes, PharmD, PhD, Greg Habing, DVM, MS, PHD, DACVPM, Michele Morscher, Mike Oglesbee, DVM, PHD, DACVP, Yasuko Rikihisa, PHD, Matt Ringel, MD, and Jenessa Winston, DVM, PHD, DACVIM, as well as Sue Harshe who provided administrative support for the search. Their commitment to selecting a candidate aligned with the college’s shared values and strategic priorities is commendable.