Chair's Message

personWelcome to the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Maryland and the Maryland Campus of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM).

We passionately pursue excellence in research, teaching, outreach in veterinary medicine, and biomedical sciences. Our goals are to advance animal, human, and public health through mentoring and inspiring students, conducting innovative basic and applied research, and offering the public the latest knowledge and technology through extension and engagement activities. We serve our communities in the true spirit of a land-grant university.

The department is dedicated to training doctors of veterinary medicine (DVM) through the VMCVM, graduate students (MS and Ph.D.) through the Comparative Biomedical Sciences (CBSC), formerly Veterinary Medical Sciences (VMSC) graduate program, and post-doctoral scientists across campus. Our goal is to provide our students with an exceptional education and rigorous hands-on training in critical thinking and analytical skills about the mechanisms of diseases. Our students will have the opportunity to acquire superb experience in learning how to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases. We prepare them for careers and leadership in veterinary practice, education, research, and industry. The department is also committed to providing continuing education to practicing veterinarians through the Center of Public and Corporate Veterinary Medicine (CPCVM).

In line with the strategic mission of the Department and College, our major research programs currently focus on infectious diseases caused by bacteria, funguses, parasites, and viruses, developing immunity to these infectious agents, and providing veterinary extension. Veterinary medicine is a foundation of the “One Health” concept that aims to improve the health of animals, humans, and our environment through translational research. We look forward to enthusiastically playing a leading role in this endeavor. We actively seek ways to translate our research with the development of practical applications, such as vaccines and novel therapeutics. Our faculty publish their research results in prestigious scientific journals and books, have received numerous patents, and their excellence in research has been recognized nationally and internationally.

On behalf of our faculty, staff, and students, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to all of our visionary donors and stakeholders for their enthusiasm and generous support. We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, nurturing, and stimulating learning environment that promotes professional and personal development. We offer state-of-the-art research and animal facilities, fostering collaboration, and inspiring innovation. I encourage all our stakeholders, interested students, and visitors to explore what we have to offer.

Xiaoping Zhu, DVM, Ph.D.
Associate Dean & Department Chair
Phone: 301-314-6814
Email: xzhu1@umd.edu
Website