WSU department in veterinary college updates name

 

 

PULLMAN, Wash. – The academic department formerly known as VCAPP (pronounced VEE-cap) in Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine has a new name to better suit its expanding role.

 

The unit is now known as Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, or IPN. The name replaces the cumbersome Department of Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Pharmacology and Physiology used for nearly half a century.

 

“Our new name better reflects the role of this department in the university, not just the veterinary curriculum,” explained Steve Simasko, professor and chair of IPN. “IPN is responsible for teaching anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and neuroscience courses within the professional veterinary curriculum. In addition, our permanent, research and adjunct faculty members are dedicated to educating students in the undergraduate and graduate programs in neuroscience.”

 

IPN’s research expenditures for the last three years total some $18.2 million dedicated to investigations in diabetes and obesity, emotional health, sleep and circadian rhythms, neurological diseases, heart health and drug addiction.

 

“It’s an exciting time for the department, college and university,” said Dean Bryan Slinker, who was chair of the former VCAPP 1999-2008.

“For many years now, the people that are IPN have been building an extraordinary teaching and research program with faculty in Spokane and Vancouver, in addition to those on the Pullman campus,” he said. “They have become an integral part of the university’s long range vision, as evidenced by the wonderful new building they will soon occupy.”

 

IPN is in the process of moving from its primary home in Wegner Hall to the new Veterinary and Biomedical Research (VBR) building, with the public building dedication set for 4:30-6 p.m. Thursday, May 2. See http://go.wsu.edu/vbr. The new state-of-the-art research facility is located just east of the entrance to Martin Stadium and south of the Beasley Coliseum parking lot.

 

 

 

Contact:
Charlie Powell, WSU College of Veterinary Medicine Public Information Officer, 509-335-7073, cpowell@vetmed.wsu.edu