Renate Weller appointed dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Renate Weller has been appointed dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine for a renewable term of five years, effective Sept. 1, 2021.  

Dr. Weller is a successful academic researcher, educator, and clinician with significant leadership experience. She received her doctorate of veterinary medicine from Ludwig Maximilians University in Germany and her MSc in Veterinary Education and PhD from Royal Veterinary College at the University of London in the United Kingdom. She also earned a postgraduate certificate in academic practice from King’s College in London, U.K. 

She currently is the inaugural Director of Veterinary Education at CVS Group plc, one of the largest integrated veterinary services providers in Europe. In this role she has developed educational and clinical training strategies for more than 7,000 employees. Prior to this role she held several roles at the esteemed Royal Veterinary College at the University of London, culminating in the roles of associate dean for undergraduate teaching and professor, comparative imaging and biomechanics in the Department of Clinical Sciences and Services. 

Renate is an inspirational leader with a proven track record in all aspects of academic life, including research, clinical work and teaching as well as leadership. Her collaborative approach, international experience, and focus on transdisciplinary scholarship and community connections will ensure her success as dean. Her commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion as well as reconciliation will be a hallmark of her leadership. 

Her teaching has been recognized with multiple awards including the UK Higher Education Academy (HEA) National Teaching Fellowship, which is the highest honour awarded for excellence in teaching in the United Kingdom. She has numerous career highlights to her name including the establishment of the European College in Veterinary Sports Medicine, the international graduate diploma course in equine locomotor biomechanics for farriers, and the introduction of a career coaching and mentoring network on behalf of the British Equine Veterinary Association. Her contribution to clinical work has been recognized internationally by multiple awards including admission in the Hall of Fame for Equine Veterinarians in the USA. 

The development and adaptation of innovative technology has been core to her research pursuits. This is demonstrated by her involvement in the creation of computer models for prediction of tendon strains in individuals, being the first to use rapid prototyping for teaching of anatomy as well as one of the first author of an iPhone application in the veterinary field. 

I'd like to extend my appreciation to the members of the advisory selection committee for the time they dedicated to this important search. They are: Dru Marshall (chair), Andre Buret (vice-president research designate), Jeff Biernaskie (tenured academic staff representative), Hermann Schaetzl (tenured academic staff representative), Amy Warren (tenured academic staff representative), Patrick Whelan (tenured academic staff representative), Dianne Gereluk (decanal representative), Trevor Tombe (faculty association representative), Derek Monar (MaPS representative), Nicole Stubley (AUPE representative), Douglas Doyle-Baker (SU representative), Kabita Baral (GSA representative), David Donald Hansen (GFC representative), Guido Van Marle (GFC representative), Kirsten Aarbo (community representative), and John Simpson (community representative). 

I would also like to thank Dr. Robert McCorkell for serving as interim dean of veterinary medicine until Dr. Weller joins us. Robert has been an excellent advocate for the faculty since stepping into this role in November 2020 and I know he will help ensure a smooth leadership transition. On Sept. 1, 2021 he will resume his role as associate dean, academic in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and continue to play an important role in the success of the faculty. 

Please join me in congratulating Renate on her new role and welcoming her to UCalgary.  

Dr. Teri Balser 
Provost and Vice-President (Academic)