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NEWS RELEASE

03-30-03

Contacts:
Norman Cheville, Veterinary Medicine, (515) 294-1250
Tracy Raef, Veterinary Medicine communications, (515) 294-4602
Bridget Bailey, News Service, (515) 294-6881

ISU COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE APPOINTS TWO NEW DEPARTMENT CHAIRS

AMES, Iowa -- Dr. Lisa Nolan and Dr. James Toombs have been appointed department chairs in Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Nolan will be chair of the veterinary microbiology and preventive medicine department. Toombs will serve as the chair of the veterinary clinical sciences department. Their five-year appointments will be effective Aug. 1.

"Dr. Toombs, as a highly respected national leader in veterinary medicine, brings strong expertise in orthopedic surgery of companion animals to Iowa State," said Norman Cheville, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. "Dr. Nolan has a strong national reputation in teaching and research on E. coli in food-producing animals. Her program will enhance Iowa State's commitment to research on food security and public health."

Nolan comes to Iowa State from North Dakota State University, Fargo, where she was an associate professor in veterinary and microbiological sciences and director of the Great Plains Institute of Food Safety. She researches bacterial diseases that infect production animals, especially, Escherichia coli, (E. coli). Nolan is the author of many research publications, and was a distinguished educator in the Blue Key National Honor Society in 2001.

Nolan received doctoral (1992) and master's (1989) degrees in medical microbiology, and a DVM (1988) from the University of Georgia, Athens. She earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Valdosta State College, Ga., in 1975.

Toombs comes to Iowa State from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., where he was a professor of small animal orthopedics and neurosurgery. Toombs' research focuses on surgical approaches, the evaluation of implant systems and new arthroscopic techniques.

Toombs received the Spinal Cord Society Research Medal, an international award for service to humanity, in 1989. In 2002, the American College of Veterinary Surgeons nominated him for Small Animal Regent.

Toombs received a master's degree in surgery from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, in 1980; a DVM from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, in 1976; and a bachelor's degree in general science from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, in 1972.

Both Nolan and Toombs will hold the rank of professor.

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