College of Veterinary Medicine appoints David Renter as associate dean for research and graduate programs

The College of Veterinary Medicine has appointed David Renter as associate dean for research programs and graduate studies, effective Dec. 21. A longtime faculty member, Renter holds the Robert MacDonald Professorship in Veterinary Medicine and is the founder and director of the Center of Outcomes Research and Epidemiology.

"Dr. Renter brings a strong record of research success and significant contributions in collaboration, instruction, leadership and service to the veterinary profession," said Elizabeth Davis, interim dean. "We look forward to the experience and leadership he will bring as we continue to elevate research excellence through the Next-Gen K-State strategic plan."

Renter earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and separate doctorates in veterinary medicine and veterinary epidemiology from Kansas State University. Early in his career, he worked with the Food Animal Health and Management Center, received additional epidemiology training at the University of California, Davis, and supported the USDA's Foot-and-Mouth Disease control program in the United Kingdom.

Before joining the K-State faculty in 2005, he served as a veterinary epidemiologist with Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, and as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Saskatchewan.

Renter's research applies epidemiologic principles to improve animal health and well-being, food safety, production efficiency and the economic viability of animal health systems. His recent work focuses on complex challenges in food production, interdisciplinary research approaches and advancing outcomes research in animal health.

He and his collaborators have secured more than $2 million in philanthropic and fee-for-service support, supplementing over $40 million in collaborative grants and contracts. Their projects have resulted in over 160 peer-reviewed publications across a range of basic and applied journals.

Renter has mentored 39 master's and 32 doctoral students across multiple graduate programs. He has held leadership roles within the university, as well as in national and international organizations and is a Fellow of the Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases. Currently, he serves as president of the Association for Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine.

"Through his broad experiences and work with many stakeholders, Dr. Renter is well-suited to help lead the college's research mission to the next level," Davis said. "He has demonstrated a clear dedication to advancing research excellence, fostering graduate student success and building strong, collaborative relationships across disciplines and with external partners."

— Submitted by Joe Montgomery