By Alice McFarlane

USask appoints next dean of veterinary college

Jul 1, 2021 | 10:00 AM

MELFORT, Sask. – University of Saskatchewan (USask) has found its dean for the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM).

Dr. Gillian Muir continues in the role as she served as the college’s interim dean for the past 12 months.

Muir is also the first WCVM graduate as well as the first female to be named dean of the college.

She said the past year was an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the college’s role on campus, across Western Canada, and around the world.

“I’ve learned how the college’s relationships with our communities are integral to all that we do,” Muir said in a news release. “While we still face immediate challenges as we move out of pandemic restrictions, I’m excited to begin working on longer-term initiatives that will help to strengthen the WCVM’s future and its contributions to the community.”

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Originally from Calgary, Alta., Muir received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the WCVM in 1988 and completed two years of graduate studies at USask before earning her PhD degree in neuroscience at the University of British Columbia. She joined the WCVM faculty in 1996 and is a professor in the department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences.

Muir’s research program investigates recovery after spinal cord injury and her work on a novel therapy has been translated to clinical trials for people with spinal injuries.

Muir teaches neuroscience to first-year veterinary students and has been the recipient of multiple teaching awards.

Muir has served as department head and as graduate chair, along with one-year terms as the college’s acting associate dean (research) and interim dean. She led the revision of the Year 1 DVM program as part of the WCVM’s curriculum renewal and was involved in developing the college’s strategic plan as part of the University Plan 2025.

As the regional veterinary college for Western Canada, the WCVM works with the provinces of Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Manitoba who are the college’s three main funding partners.

Muir sees the college at the intersection of many communities, all sharing an interest in animal well-being.

“We keep animals healthy so that people can be healthy,” Muir said. “Everything we do—training future veterinarians, ensuring the safety of our food supply, monitoring, and investigating disease, improving animal welfare, looking after our animal companions—works toward that goal.”

Muir was appointed for a five-year term.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW