Globally-recognized epidemiologist appointed CFIA Research Chair at UPEI’s Atlantic Veterinary College

UPEI's Atlantic Veterinary College is world renowned for its expertise in veterinary epidemiology through its Centre for Veterinary Epidemiological Research. This expertise has been further strengthened by the recent appointment of Dr. Javier Sanchez as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Chair in Regulatory Veterinary Epidemiology at the Atlantic Veterinary College.

'We are extremely excited to have Dr. Sanchez appointed to this prestigious position,' says Dr. Don Reynolds, Dean of the Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI. 'Dr. Sanchez is internationally recognized for his expertise in veterinary epidemiology. His contributions to risk assessment, surveillance, disease modeling and the needs associated with regulatory veterinary medicine in Canada are significant.'

Dr. Sanchez received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in Argentina in 1992. In 2004, he received his PhD in epidemiology from UPEI and was awarded the Governor General's Gold Medal for Academic Excellence. From 2003 to 2007, Dr. Sanchez worked as a Research Associate at the Atlantic Veterinary College. In 2007, he was appointed as a Risk Analyst in the Animal Health Risk Assessment Unit of the CFIA.

Dr. Sanchez has authored or co-authored 25 peer-reviewed publications and is internationally recognized as an instructor in epidemiological methodologies, having taught in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Grenada, and China over the past five years.

'I have had the pleasure of being Dr. Sanchez's PhD supervisor, as well as his colleague,' says Dr. Ian Dohoo, Director of AVC's Centre for Veterinary Epidemiological Research. 'Dr. Sanchez's research expertise and strengths in collaboration are applauded on a global scale. That he has been appointed as the CFIA Research Chair in Regulatory Veterinary Epidemiology here at UPEI's Atlantic Veterinary College is a triumph for all of Atlantic Canada.'

Dr. Sanchez's work at the Atlantic Veterinary College is funded through the Canadian Regulatory Veterinary Epidemiology Network that was established earlier this year through a partnership between the CFIA and AVC's Centre for Veterinary Epidemiological Research. Dr. Sanchez will play a lead role in establishing this national network and Canada's expertise in animal health risks.

The AVC Centre for Veterinary Epidemiological Research is now home to four externally funded research chairs. In addition to Dr. Sanchez, these Chairs include: Dr. Crawford Revie, Canada Research Chair in Population Health/Epi-informatics; Dr. Greg Keefe, PEI Industry Research Chair in Milk-Based Diagnostics and Information Technology Applications; and Dr. Larry Hammell, PEI Industry Research Chair in Epidemiology for Global Aquatic Food Animal Production.

Dr. Sanchez resides in Cornwall, Prince Edward Island with his wife and three children. He is actively involved in the community as a soccer coach for Cornwall and provincial teams.