Faculty Success is Focus of New Associate Dean

For Dr. Christina Wilson-Frank, clinical professor of toxicology, the month of July started with new responsibilities as she began serving as Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s associate dean for faculty success. She now is responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for faculty onboarding, orientation and faculty development, while also offering promotion and tenure support for the College.

Dr. Wilson-Frank previously served as the assistant department head and has been a faculty member in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology since 2008. She also supports the mission of the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL) as the Toxicology Section head in the Willie M. Reed Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory located in West Lafayette – one of two laboratory facilities that comprise the Indiana ADDL.

“As an accomplished and dedicated senior faculty member, Dr. Wilson-Frank is eminently qualified for this role and has a special passion for the opportunity it affords to foster the growth and advancement of our faculty,” said Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Bret Marsh. “We are fortunate to have someone right here in our college who has the interest, talent, enthusiasm and expertise to excel in this position. I am extremely pleased that Dr. Wilson-Frank has accepted this responsibility and look forward to working with her to enhance our faculty support system and accentuate our effectiveness as a college in promoting faculty success.”

Dr. Wilson-Frank is a Purdue alumna who earned her BS degree in biology and then pursued graduate study at Purdue, earning her MS in toxicology in 2001 and her PhD in analytical toxicology in 2006. Board-certified by the American Board of Toxicology, Dr. Wilson-Frank holds memberships in national and regional toxicology scientific organizations. She has served in leadership roles in the Society of Toxicology, the American Academy of Veterinary and Comparative Toxicology, the Midwest Regional Chapter of the Society of Toxicology and Purdue’s Omicron Chapter of Phi Zeta – the honor society for veterinary medicine.

After her initial appointment as clinical assistant professor of toxicology, Dr. Wilson-Frank rose through the academic ranks, being promoted to clinical associate professor in 2013 and then clinical professor in 2023. In carrying out her new role, Dr. Wilson-Frank will serve to facilitate cross-departmental collaboration and support university policy implementation and compliance within the College.

“The professional growth and success I have experienced during my tenure as a faculty member at Purdue have been deeply influenced through the dedicated mentorship and support of faculty colleagues and leadership within our college,” Dr. Wilson-Frank said. “This new role represents a meaningful opportunity to give back to the community that has played such a positive and pivotal role in my professional development and academic journey.”

Dr. Wilson-Frank’s Purdue career has included a consistent record of scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and service. She also has been active in extension work, contributing to multiple Purdue extension articles. In addition, she is a sought after presenter at scientific meetings across the country and has participated in regional and national engagement activities on behalf of the college.

“I am sincerely looking forward to this new administrative role as it allows me to dedicate more of my time to something I deeply value – engaging with, supporting, and advocating for our faculty,” Dr. Wilson-Frank said. “Contributing to the growth and success of our faculty is both meaningful and fulfilling to me, and I am profoundly honored to have the opportunity to serve the college and our faculty in this role.”