The inaugural veterinary science program at Charles Sturt University (CSU) has been expanded with the recent appointment of two Professors, one from New Zealand, and the other an Australian returning from the United States. 

CSU is the first non-metropolitan university to offer a veterinary science program in Australia. As the University expands its academic team, the 45 students are entering the second half of their first year of studies.

“CSU is distinctive in our aim to provide hands-on, practical experience to veterinary science students to produce, as we do in many other disciplines, industry-ready graduates who have very well defined skills that are relevant to the needs of regional and rural Australia,” said Director of Veterinary Sciences Professor Kym Abbott.
“These appointments will bring a substantial depth of experience of veterinary undergraduate education to the CSU program, with both men having taught in some of the leading veterinary schools in the world. In addition, they both have outstanding records in research and will be instrumental in the development of strong veterinary research programs at CSU.”

The new Professors in veterinary sciences are; 

• Professor Peter Davie joins the University’s veterinary science program from Massey University in New Zealand.   As Professor of Veterinary Anatomy at CSU, Professor Davie brings 24 years experience in teaching veterinary anatomy and physiology at the Massey University veterinary program, accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.  “The new CSU teaching program, with its focus on production animals, offers an exciting and unique opportunity to develop a distinctive veterinary science graduate for animal based industries in Australia and internationally.”   He will work with CSU staff on new facilities to be built for veterinary science teaching, research and veterinary service at the University. His research in comparative cardiovascular physiology and in animal welfare will draw upon the unique opportunities at the Wagga Wagga Campus and its close proximity to other centres of research excellence.

• Professor of Veterinary Reproduction at CSU, Peter Chenoweth has a wealth of experience in veterinary research and teaching in the USA and Australia. Previously with Kansas State University, where he held the inaugural Chair in Food Animal Production Medicine, Professor Chenoweth has also worked at US veterinary colleges in Florida, Texas and Colorado as well as in Queensland. Professor Chenoweth’s research is primarily in male reproduction (veterinary andrology) as well as reproductive management of livestock, where he has numerous publications. Teaching experience has mainly involved livestock, including reproductive physiology, behaviour, welfare and production medicine. “The new visionary veterinary program at CSU is an opportunity to address important and growing needs of the livestock industries, the veterinary profession and the greater national interest, in a relevant and conducive environment,” said Professor Chenoweth.