New UC-Davis vet dean hails from Ohio State

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Dr. Michael D. Lairmore, a veterinarian, cancer researcher, and administrator at The Ohio State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, has been named the new dean of the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, following a nationwide search.

Dr. Lairmore's expertise bridges multiple disciplines to address basic questions related to viral causes of cancer and the biology of retroviruses. Among his accomplishments is the development of one of the first animal models of AIDS-associated pediatric pneumonia.

Dr. Lairmore
Dr. Michael D. Lairmore (Courtesy of University of California-Davis SVM)

At Ohio State, Dr. Lairmore served as associate dean for research and graduate studies at the veterinary college and as associate director of the university's Comprehensive Cancer Center. He also held two academic appointments there: professor of veterinary biosciences in the veterinary college and an adjunct appointment in molecular virology, immunology, and medical genetics in the College of Medicine.

Prior to working in academia, Dr. Lairmore headed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Human T-lymphotropic Virus Reference Laboratory in Atlanta. While there, he focused on the linkages among human T-cell leukemia viruses and specific diseases, including some forms of cancer.

UC-Davis Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi and Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ralph J. Hexter announced Dr. Lairmore's appointment Aug. 11; he joins UC-Davis on Oct. 24.

Hexter, who oversaw the search process, pointed to the interdisciplinary breadth of Dr. Lairmore's resume.

"Michael's experience stretches from clinician to professor to administrator, and from veterinary medicine to pathology to cancer, in key roles at Ohio State and the (CDC). I am confident that his strength as a candidate will translate to his strength as our new dean of veterinary medicine," he said.

Dr. Lairmore is a member of the Institute of Medicine and is a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology.

He is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists in anatomic pathology and by the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists in virology and immunology. He has a doctorate in experimental pathology from Colorado State University and received his DVM degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1981.