News briefs
Dr. Deborah Fowell joins CVM as chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology
On Oct. 1, the College of Veterinary Medicine welcomed Dr. Deborah Fowell as the new chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Fowell joins Cornell from the University of Rochester, where she was the dean’s professor in the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology. She received her Ph.D. in immunology from the University of Oxford and completed postdoctoral training at Oxford’s Sir William Dunn School of Pathology as well as University of California at San Francisco’s Infectious Disease Division. Fowell is internationally recognized for her work on immune cell trafficking and the regulation of immune cell function at sites of inflammation and infection.
“I am delighted to be joining the Department of Microbiology and Immunology as a research colleague and as its chair,” said Fowell. “This is a tremendous opportunity to work with a dedicated group of teachers and researchers. I hope to leverage existing strengths of the department in microbiology and immunology research and develop a shared vision for the future.”
David Lee ’88, D.V.M. ’94, M.B.A. ’99, joins college as associate dean for external programs
The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) appointed David Lee ’88, D.V.M. ’94, M.B.A. ’99, as the new associate dean for external programs. He assumed this post Aug. 1.
Lee will take a leading role in the Center for Veterinary Business and Entrepreneurship and in the continuing development of the Canine Health Center. The Canine Health Center program and Lee’s appointment were made possible by gifts received from donors — most recently from founding members Don Powell, D.V.M. ’69, and Rita Powell. Lee will also contribute to teaching and expanding course offerings for the business initiative for veterinary students, other degree programs and external audiences.
“I am pleased that Dr. Lee has agreed to return to his alma mater and to contribute to the success of several key goals articulated in the college’s strategic plan,” said Lorin D. Warnick, D.V.M., Ph.D. ’94, the Austin O. Hooey Dean of Veterinary Medicine. “He brings a wealth of experience as a faculty member and academic leader that will benefit our students, faculty and external audiences.”
Written by Melanie Greaver Cordova
Veterinary Emergency Group awards full tuition scholarship to two CVM students
Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) announced this year’s recipients of the VEG Scholarship: Ashley Newman and Yvette Huizar of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) veterinary class of 2021.
In 2019, the annual VEG Scholarship was founded to give incoming veterinarians the opportunity to graduate with less financial burden. The only scholarship of its kind, VEG typically awards one scholarship to a lucky fourth-year veterinary student in the United States, in addition to offering a full-time role as an emergency veterinarian post-graduation. The scholarship covers their entire fourth year’s tuition, regardless of whether it is in-state or out-of-state.
Ashley Newman, a fourth-year student at CVM, embodies VEG’s value of family and togetherness. Her love and support for family extends far beyond her own and it becomes evident when she works with pets and their families. She shares this value with her new family at VEG.
Yvette Huizar, also a fourth-year veterinary student at CVM, represents the VEG value of openness and inclusivity. She co-founded Latinx Veterinary Medical Association to help Latinx individuals who are aspiring veterinarians connect with the right resources to succeed in the field.
Adapted from VEG’s original press release
Leland Carmichael, Ph.D. ’59, canine infectious disease expert, dies at 90
Leland “Skip” Carmichael, Ph.D. ’59, the John M. Olin Professor of Virology Emeritus and an expert on canine infectious diseases, died July 27 in Ithaca. He was 90. Carmichael played major roles in identifying, treating and preventing many canine infectious diseases.
Carmichael was born in 1930 in Los Angeles. He received his D.V.M. from the University of California at Davis in 1956 before coming to Cornell, where he earned his doctorate from the Veterinary Virus Research Institute, now the Baker Institute for Animal Health at the College of Veterinary Medicine. He was immediately hired as a faculty member and served for more than 38 years, retiring in 1997.
His most significant achievement began in the summer of 1978, when a highly infectious canine parvovirus started to spread, eventually reaching pandemic proportions. With virologist Max Appel, Ph.D. ’67, a colleague at the institute, Carmichael perfected a modified live-virus vaccine three years later that is still used today.
Remembering Robert R. Marshak, D.V.M. ’45, former dean of University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
Robert R. Marshak, D.V.M. ’45, passed away peacefully Oct. 20 at age 97. A venerated alumnus of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Marshak received the 2016 Salmon Award for Distinguished Alumni Service, recognizing a long and distinguished career in veterinary medicine in which he served as professor and chair of the Department of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine, and dean of the Penn Veterinary School from 1973 to 1987.
In 1990, Marshak was inducted into the prestigious National Academy of Medicine, one of very few veterinarians selected for that honor. Marshak served on the college's advisory council from 1977 to 1980. He was a member of the advisory council of the Baker Institute for Animal Health, serving for more than 20 years, and was influential in the development of the Baker Institute as a premier site for animal health research.
Lorin D. Warnick, D.V.M., Ph.D. ’94, Austin O. Hooey Dean of Veterinary Medicine, said Marshak had a “profound impact” on veterinary medicine and education. “His emphasis on scientific training influenced generations of veterinary students for the better,” Warnick said.
Written by Martin Hackett for Penn Vet
In memoriam
The College of Veterinary Medicine remembers with gratitude those members of our community who have recently passed away.
Allen Braemer, D.V.M. '55, June 24, 2020
Donald Buckley, D.V.M. '49, Nov. 24, 2020
George Christensen, D.V.M. '49, Aug. 1, 2020
N. Joel Edwards, D.V.M. '64, Oct. 15, 2020
Kelly Farrell, D.V.M. '92, March 6, 2017
Peter Roche Hall, D.V.M. '62, Oct. 6, 2020
Duane Hillis, D.V.M. '70, Nov. 3, 2020
Peter Jay Ingraham, D.V.M. '76, May 18, 2020
Kevin Ross Kimber, D.V.M. '01, Oct. 1, 2020
Robert Little, Jr., D.V.M. '55, Oct. 5, 2020
Robert Marshak, D.V.M. '45, Oct. 20, 2020
Edward Nowak, D.V.M. '66, Nov. 9, 2020
Anthony Palminteri, D.V.M. '57, Nov. 10, 2020
Edwin Presley, D.V.M. '55, Oct. 24, 2020
Samantha Marie Schwalje, D.V.M. '17, Aug. 9, 2020
Gene Sellick, D.V.M. '63, July 24, 2020
David Sequist, D.V.M. '67, Sept. 17, 2020
Richard Thoma, D.V.M. '65, Sept. 8, 2020
Michael Tulman, D.V.M. '72, July 27, 2020
Edward Winnick, D.V.M. '52, Sept. 19, 2020
Manuel Zimmerman, D.V.M. '50, June 12, 2020 •