Vilma Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan, professor and associate dean for graduate studies in MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, has been named associate dean for research of the college.
In her new research role, she will provide leadership and oversight for all college research, promote research development by working with faculty to enhance research funding and serve as college liaison with funding agencies.
“Dr. Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan serves an important role as a member of the college’s leadership team,” said dean John Baker. “She has the capacity to influence stronger collaboration across the college and university, foster faculty mentorship and continue to guide our graduate students toward success in today’s challenging research climate.”
Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan has served as associate dean for graduate studies and interim associate dean for research since July, 2014.
“I see my roles as synergistic,” said Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan. “I’m very committed to graduate studies, and I see graduate students as bridges across research teams and research projects.”
One of Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan’s goals is to serve as a catalyst for building collaborative teams across the college and across the university. Enhancing the college’s research programs through strategic partnerships will strengthen research and create teams that will be most effective in competition for federal dollars and in serving our wide range of stakeholders in veterinary and comparative medicine.
Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan joined the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1990 as an assistant professor in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences and has served as a member of the college’s Cancer Center, a member of the MSU Genetics Program and as an executive committee member of the MSU Genetics Graduate Program.
Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan also has served as the chair of the research committee for the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges for the last two years. She has developed strong relationships with the American Veterinary Medical Association and the AAVMC in order to enhance the profile of veterinary scientists and to bring opportunities for them to contribute to the biomedical enterprise.
Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan earned her Ph.D. in biochemistry with minors in physiology and biophysics at the University of Istanbul Medical School. She completed her post-doctoral training in human genetics at the University of Michigan Department of Human Genetics. Her current research focuses on three areas: cancer research and comparative cancer genetics, utilizing genomic approaches to understand diseases, and stem cells and regenerative medicine.