R. Ashley Robinson,
BVSc, MPH, PhD

Interim Associate Dean for Pre-Clinical Programs

Biographical Information

Press Release - Pomona, CA (August 24, 1999) - Robert Ashley Robinson, BVSc, MPH, PhD, has joined the College of Veterinary Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) as associate dean for preclinical affairs. Dr. Robinson will develop a framework for the College's problem-based learning curriculum, which emphasizes student-centered learning, interpersonal communications skills and teamwork.

"It's a big challenge to start up a new school, and I have been learning about similar curricula at other veterinary schools to discover what works best for them," Dr. Robinson said. "We have a unique opportunity here to break new ground. When students complete our program they will understand their responsibility to veterinary and human public health. Humans can contract many diseases from animals, and whether our graduates are in a private veterinary practice or working for institutions, I want them to understand that they have a very important role to play."

When WesternU's College of Veterinary Medicine secures provisional accreditation, it will be the first veterinary school ever to open in Southern California, and the first to open in the United States since 1983. Current plans call for admitting 70 students to a four-year doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) degree program in the fall of 2001.

Dr. Robinson retired from a 20-year faculty career in veterinary epidemiology and public health at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 1997. For the last 18 months he worked for Tufts University as a liaison for the USAID Middle East Regional Cooperation Project. The project was part of the peace process, and involved veterinarians from Egypt, Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian authority working together on regional animal disease problems. Dr. Robinson lived in Jordan while working on the project.

"While humans understand lines in the sand, unfortunately animals don't recognize those international barriers," he said.

Dr. Robinson is a native of New Zealand. He earned his bachelor's degree in veterinary science from the University of Sydney in Australia, and his master's in public health and doctorate in veterinary microbiology from the University of Minnesota. He is a long-time member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, and has lectured at universities, symposiums and conferences in Thailand, Morocco, Italy, Vietnam, Kenya and Trinidad.

According to Shirley Johnston, DVM, PhD, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Robinson's vast array of international experience will make his input into WesternU's new program invaluable.

"He is internationally renowned both as an epidemiologist and an educator, and brings experience to Southern California from professional positions all over the world," Dr. Johnston said. "His expertise in zoonotic diseases, food safety, public health and international veterinary medicine will have an outstanding impact on our curriculum."

Dr. Robinson lives in Claremont with his wife, Stella. He is a member of Amnesty International and Habitat for Humanity, and is involved in Heifer Project International, an organization dedicated to ending hunger and poverty by providing food- and income-providing animals to families. The couple have two grown children.