Diné named assistant dean of vet college at CSU

Posted by Navajo Times | Nov 10, 2016 | Education |

By JayDiamond Taliman
Special to the Times

DURANGO, Colo.

Sometimes, your career path is a circle.

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Dr. Gilbert John, originally from the Sweetwater/Red Mesa area, is the new assistant dean for research at Colorado State University’s Veterinary School.

Gilbert John, a Navajo born in Shiprock, has been hired at his alma mater as an assistant dean for research in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University.

Prior to his hiring, John was an associate professor in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at Oklahoma State University where he directed a multimillion-dollar program that supports activities to enhance diversity in the biomedical, behavioral and clinical research workforce.

According to an article on a CSU source website, “He will help to support and enhance research activities in a college that annually tallies more than $45 million in research expenditures – a barometer of robust activity – and for years, has been the No. 1 veterinary school in the nation based on research funding.”

John has already solidified a collaboration with Navajo Technical University in Crownpoint regarding student exchange between NTU and CSU, where veterinary technician students gain experience at clinics during the summer and participate in clinical research, transitional research or applied research.

“With my position here, one of the things I would like to do is increase the college collaboration with diverse groups throughout the country and since I’m Navajo born and raised, I’ve contacted some people on the reservation who would be good collaborators,” said John.

As a first generation college graduate, John can be an inspiration to any Native American student aspiring to reach a doctorate level. His family is from the Sweetwater/Red Mesa area.