Veterinary Science alumnus to become new Chair of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Press release
30 October 2008
A former Veterinary Science student is returning to the Faculty of Veterinary Science nearly three decades after graduating, to become the new Chair of Veterinary Clinical Sciences.
Dr Ted Whittem will fill the vacant role on Monday 17 November following a career in academia and industry that has taken him around the globe.
His primary responsibility will be to support teaching and research training in the Veterinary Hospital at the Faculty of Veterinary Science as it works to maintain its position as the pre-eminent veterinary school in the Southern Hemisphere.
He leaves his position as Head of Research and Development at the veterinary pharmaceutical company Jurox Pty Ltd, based in New South Wales, where for the past seven years he has overseen the development and registration of the company’s products, including their first product for the global market – the cat and dog anaesthetic Alfaxan.
Prior to that Dr Whittem was Assistant and Associate Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois from 1996 to 2000 and Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology at Massey University, in New Zealand, from 1991 to 1995, having earlier completed a PhD at the University of Georgia.
After travelling the world with his wife Vanessa and their four children, he says he is delighted to be returning to his academic roots.
“I’ve spent about a third of my time since graduating in each of academia, private practice and industry and have reached the point where I had to decide where I wanted to be for the rest of my career,” said Dr Whittem.
“This was a wonderful opportunity for me to return to Melbourne to my friends and family and back to what I love most, which is research and teaching graduates. It has been very clear to the people with whom I’ve interacted with that one day this would happen.”
Professor Ken Hinchcliff, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, who has overseen Dr Whittem’s return to Melbourne, says he will bring to the University considerable experience in veterinary teaching and research, as well as expertise in pharmacology, new drug development, and business management.
“Ted was selected from a very competitive international field of applicants and we’re looking forward to him joining the senior management team,” said Professor Hinchcliff. “Ted joins a group of academic staff in the Faculty who are committed to excellence in veterinary education, research, and knowledge transfer. He will have much to contribute to the further growth of the Faculty.
“I believe that the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Veterinary Science is the pre-eminent veterinary school in the Southern Hemisphere and the hiring of Ted, along with a number of other positions that we will be filling in the coming months, demonstrates our commitment to providing the highest standards in teaching, research and knowledge transfer.”
Other recent appointments at the Faculty include Dr Guy Yates as a specialist small animal surgeon and Dr Sam Long, who becomes only the second specialist veterinary neurologist in Australia.
Throughout his career, Dr Whittem’s research has been widely published. His studies while at the University of Illinois into population pharmacokinetics, including strategies for risk assessment of drug residues in milk brought him global recognition.
From 2003 to 2005 he was President of the American Academy of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics and he remains an international advisor to the European College of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology.
Dr Whittem, who graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1980, said: “I‘m delighted to take up this role, it’s like the wheel has turned full circle, and it’s going to be great to be back where I first commenced my veterinary career.
"I’m greatly looking forward to working with colleagues at the Veterinary Hospital in building on its success as one of Australia’s leading veterinary hospitals. I’m confident that we can build on this accomplishment to achieve even greater things in the future, and ensure that we continue to provide high quality veterinary care to the wider community.”
For further information please contact the Marketing Manager, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Tel: 8344 7844 or email: vet-communications@unimelb.edu.au