NC State College of Veterinary Medicine Welcomes New Head of Research
“I'm incredibly fortunate to return to NC State where I spent the most formative years of my training and to have the opportunity to join such a talented group of faculty members and industry leaders,” Josh Stern says.
The NC State College of Veterinary Medicine has chosen Dr. Josh Stern, associate dean for veterinary medical center operations and professor of veterinary cardiology at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, as its new associate dean of research.
Stern, who completed his cardiology residency at NC State in 2012, succeeds Dr. Kate Meurs, who became the dean of the NC State veterinary college in 2022.
“Dr. Stern is an outstanding example of a clinician scientist, someone with both a very strong basic science and clinical research background,” Meurs says. “He understands the importance of the application of basic science research to complex clinical problems, and he is also very passionate about training the next generation of scientists.”
Stern received his doctorate of veterinary medicine from the Ohio State University. He later received a Ph.D. from Washington State University.
“I’m incredibly fortunate to return to NC State where I spent the most formative years of my training and to have the opportunity to join such a talented group of faculty members and industry leaders,” Stern says. “I am passionate about translational research and helping the NC State CVM community tell the story of how their incredible research is helping animals, people and the planet.”
Stern, who has contributed to more than 100 research publications in his career, has focused on veterinary cardiology, specifically inherited heart disease and how to use genetic data to guide treatment and prognosis.
Between 2011 and 2021, the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine experienced more than 220 percent growth in research grant funding, the result of intentional and innovative changes that the college made to expand its research impact. The college also benefits from the increasing recognition of the translational nature of veterinary research
“Research and discovery are critical parts of our college’s mission, and it is through research that we find the way to practice medicine better tomorrow than we do today,” Meurs says. “I am incredibly excited to see Dr. Stern expand on the college’s current research endeavors and help move to the next level of scientific impact for animal and human health and by training the next generation of biomedical researchers. We are very fortunate to have Dr. Stern back at NC State.
Stern says he’s especially eager to take on the role of mentor.
“Supporting training for the next generation of veterinary researchers is one of the most important parts of this role,” he says. “I’m so excited to be a champion for this cause on behalf of NC State.”
Stern’s husband, Dr. Ron Li, a member of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, will join the NC State Department of Clinical Sciences.
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