Cummings School names Canadian veterinary school founder as dean

Photo | Courtesy of Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University Alastair Cribb, the dean of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in North Grafton

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By Zachary Comeau

The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in North Grafton has named the founding dean of the University of Calgary veterinary program as its new dean.

Alastair Cribb will begin his work as the school’s fifth dean on July 15, the university announced Tuesday. He will succeed Joyce Knoll, who served as dean ad interim since former dean Deborah Kochevar left the position last year to become provost and senior vice president ad interim of Tufts University.

As dean, Cribb will oversee the school’s doctor of veterinary medicine degree programs, combined DVM and masters of science degree programs and stand-alone graduate programs including about 425 students, 110 faculty and 550 staff and seven veterinary teaching hospitals.

Tufts University President Anthony Monaco said in a statement Cribb’s appointment is an important hire for the region as Cummings School is the only veterinary school in New England.

“The school also serves as a catalyst for the life science and biomedical research industries and has incubated more than two dozen life sciences companies,” Monaco said. “With his multidisciplinary background, Dr. Cribb is an ideal choice to advance the school’s priorities and extend its impact as a force for good in the world.”

In 2006, Cribb was named founding dean of the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and was reappointed to another five-year term in 2011. He grew that program from a small startup working out of a few offices to a school of 75 faculty, 100 staff and 250 students working across two campuses.

After his most recent term as dean, he returned to teaching pharmacology and toxicology at Calgary.

Prior to his role at the Canadian west coast’s university, Cribb was a medical research investigator and research chair at Atlantic Veterinary College on Prince Edward Island.

His education includes a doctor of veterinary medicine degree from Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Canada and a Ph.D. in pharmacogenetics at the Hospital for Sick Children at the University of Toronto.