Rachel Reams has been named the director of the Michigan State University Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health, or DCPAH. She will assume the role on Aug. 1.
DCPAH identifies, tracks and addresses emerging animal and public health issues including the highly pathogenic avian influenza that has been recently identified in 15 states. Currently, more than 33 million poultry have been affected. Faculty and staff at the center work with national, state and local officials to counter this threat, among others, such as chronic wasting disease, bovine tuberculosis and West Nile virus.
Reams comes to MSU from Covance Research Laboratories, where she is currently director of translational biomarker solutions. Prior to that, she was the director of discovery pathology and imaging at the laboratory. Her background includes being head of pathology at Lilly Research Laboratories, as well as being the director of the Puerto Rico Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. She also led the Large Animal Pathology and Toxicology laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center.
Reams earned both her doctor of veterinary medicine and Ph.D. in veterinary pathology from Purdue University.
Strengthening DCPAH’s leadership in its business, academic and government roles will be a key focus.
“DCPAH is unique in its complex mission and its interconnected relationships with industry, academia and the government,” Reams said. “I am looking forward to building on the excellent service we provide to veterinary practitioners and the animals they serve, and to advancing our educational and research missions. The pathological services and the academic work strengthen each other, and then you bring them together with our mission to safeguard animal and human health by closely collaborating with state and national agencies—the possibilities are amazing.”
Reams is a diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists and is active in the Society of Toxicologic Pathologists and the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, where she was a member of the Government Policy Committee.
“Dr. Reams brings strong credentials for leading and developing DCPAH and its service to industry, the university, and the citizens of Michigan,” said John Baker, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. “Her significant experience in each of these arenas will be pivotal in moving DCPAH forward.”
Her professional interest includes the utility of biomarkers and translational medicine in various stages of patient-centric drug development—from bench to bedside.