Page 49 - Eclipse - RVC Alumni Magazine - Autumn 2020

MOVERS AND SHAKERS
RVC alumnus awarded Honorary Associateship of the RCVS
Professor La Ragione is one of only three recipients this year to be awarded an Honorary Associateship of the Royal
College of Veterinary Surgeons,
which is bestowed upon those who have made a considerable impact on
the veterinary sector. Professor La Ragione is an international authority
on veterinary microbiology and has published extensively in the area of host- microbe interactions, with a particular emphasis on foodborne pathogens and antimicrobial resistance.
Joining the University of Surrey from
the APHA in 2009 and appointed as Professor of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology in 2010, Professor La Ragione was instrumental in setting up the School of Veterinary Medicine and is currently the Head of the Department of Pathology
and Infectious Diseases and the Deputy Head of the School. He is also the current Chair of the Royal College of Pathologists Veterinary Pathology Specialty Advisory Committee, Chair of the Humanimal Trust, a member of the APHA science advisory board and a member of the Houghton Trust. Professor La Ragione is the past president of the Med-Vet-Net Association and the Veterinary Research Club.
Professor Roberto La Ragione, who completed his MSc in Veterinary Microbiology at the RVC in 1996,
said: “I am delighted to have received this prestigious award. Combining my interests in veterinary research and education has been a career highlight for me, and I am pleased my work has been recognised in this way.”
Congratulations Roberto.
John August named Dean of Texas A&M
University’s College of Veterinary Medicine
& Biomedical Sciences
In September 2020, Texas A&M University announced that Dr John August is the new Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine &
Biomedical Sciences.
John graduated from the RVC in 1973. He completed his internship and residency in small animal surgery and medicine at Auburn University, where he also earned his Master of Science degree from the College of Veterinary Medicine.
John joined Texas A&M University as Professor and Head of the Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery in 1986. He has served as Interim Dean of the School of Public Health since March 2019, and before that he served as Dean of Faculties and Associate Provost for three years.
As Interim Dean of the School of Public Health, John led the school through
the transition to a new Dean, providing strategic, scholarly and financial
leadership. As Dean of Faculties and Associate Provost, John led faculty affairs and processes including faculty on-boarding, tenure and promotion processes and programming of the Center for Teaching Excellence and Instructional Technology Services. In addition, he oversaw services that assist career development and advance the teaching endeavors of Texas A&M faculty.
Prior to his appointment as Dean
of Faculties and Associate Provost, John served Texas A&M as Interim Associate Dean for Clinical and Outreach Programs, Interim Head of the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology and Deputy Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. An internationally noted scholar, he was selected as the Evelyn Williams Endowed Visiting Professor at the University of Sydney in 2014.
Congratulations John on your recent appointment.
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