Andy Watson appointed Associate Dean, Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies

Andy Watson, of the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, has been appointed Associate Dean, Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies for the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2012).

As Associate Dean, Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies, Watson will be working with the Graduate Programs and Program Chairs to enhance the quality of programs, achieve enrolment goals, and improve the overall graduate student experience. He will organize the dissemination of research activities with the purpose of recognizing the integral role of postdoctoral fellows, and to increase their numbers within Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and affiliated institutions.

As the Associate Dean he will also represent the Graduate Programs of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry in the School of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies at The University of Western Ontario. As the chair of the Physiology and Pharmacology & Toxicology Graduate Programs since 2008, Watson has supervised and co-supervised the research of 13 graduate students and currently supervises four graduate students.

Watson joined the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology in 1992 and the Department of Physiology & Pharmacology in 1993 as a young research investigator. As a Scholar of the Medical Research Council of Canada (1994-1999) and a Premier's Research Excellence Award Recipient (2000-2005), he has been able to establish a very successful research program which investigates the mechanisms controlling the development of fertilized occyte through the first week of pre-implantation and initiation of pregnancy.

Please join us in welcoming Andy to his new role. His enthusiasm and extensive experience make him a welcome addition to the Decanal team.