For the past decade, OVC’s Department of Biomedical Sciences has been led by Department Chair Dr. Tarek Saleh – an academic who has dedicated more than 20 years of his life to leadership and administrative service.
Saleh’s journey to OVC has revolved around biomedical research from the time he first stepped foot on Western University campus to volunteer in a laboratory the summer after he finished high school. After completing both his Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees at Western, Saleh completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at the Neuroscience Research Group at the University of Calgary, and after 18 months, was recruited to the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI).
During his time at UPEI, Saleh developed a model of human stroke in rats, through which he patented a group of drugs that can be used to screen for oxidative stress. After nine years of research as a faculty member, Saleh decided he was ready for a greater challenge and stepped into the role of Department Chair, serving for 11 years. Saleh says
“It just felt like coming home.”
Outside of his research, teaching and administrative duties, Saleh fills his time by volunteering at a local mosque, helping them to build an addition to the building. Throughout his time working at UPEI, he volunteered building homes for Habitat for Humanity. “I just love working with my hands," says Saleh.
As Saleh’s time as Biomedical Sciences Department Chair comes to a close, he reflects on the past decade with fondness. “I just hope that I’ve left the department in better shape than I found it.”
“All I hoped to accomplish was to lead our faculty to contribute meaningfully to OVC’s research and teaching mandate.”
Stepping into the Department Chair role, starting September 1st, is Dr. Craig Bailey, who completed his BSc and PhD degrees at Queen's University, as well as two postdoctoral fellowships – one in the United States and the other at the University of Toronto after a brief stint in the pharmaceutical industry. After completing his second postdoctoral position, he happened upon the faculty position at OVC, and the rest is history – Bailey has now been with OVC for 14 years.
Outside of his academic ventures, Bailey loves to spend quality time with his family, coaching sports for his kids, or taking his dog for a nightly hour-long walk. He emphasizes that getting outside and spending time with his loved ones is incredibly beneficial for his mental well-being outside of work.
After serving as the Graduate Program Coordinator for both the course-based Master of Biomedical Sciences program and the thesis-based Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences programs – Bailey is stepping into the Department Chair role with over a decade of immersion in the OVC community. “I hope to continue our tradition of producing career-ready graduates that can go on to lead successful careers after their time at OVC,” says Bailey.
He also aims to leverage digital storytelling to better highlight leading-edge research produced by the Biomedical Sciences department as a whole.
Behind each department at OVC is an Administrative Assistant to the Chair and Faculty (AACF), whose expertise, organization and dedication keep the department running smoothly. Saleh and Bailey’s achievements cannot be discussed without acknowledging the phenomenal Biomedical Sciences AACF, Kim Best.
