Purdue Veterinary Medicine Alumnus Named AVP for Animal Resources and Attending Veterinarian

Dr. Patrick Sharp (Purdue University Photo)
Dr. Patrick Sharp (Purdue University Photo)

Purdue University’s Office of Research has announced the appointment of a Purdue Veterinary Medicine alumnus, Dr. Patrick Sharp, as assistant vice president for animal resources and attending veterinarian at Purdue, effective Jan. 6, 2025. Dr. Sharp also will serve as clinical professor of comparative pathobiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Sharp, earned his Purdue DVM degree in 1991. He returns to campus after more than 30 years in diverse leadership positions at several prestigious institutions. Since 2020, he has been at the University of California, Merced, serving as executive director of the Department of Animal Research Services and attending veterinarian for the Office of Research and Economic Development.

At Purdue, Dr. Sharp will assume an AVP role that was created in 2021 to enhance the university’s veterinary medicine research and education programs and align with best practices. As AVP, Dr. Sharp will have direct oversight of animal resources and the Centrally Managed Laboratory Animal Facilities team.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Sharp back to Purdue and look forward to his leadership in advancing our animal care and research programs,” said Jamie Mohler, associate vice president for scientific integrity and research compliance and the research integrity officer within the Office of Research, who led the search. “His extensive experience will be invaluable in ensuring the humane care and use of animals, fostering collaboration within our research community, and maintaining regulatory excellence.”

Before accepting his appointment at the University of California, Merced, Dr. Sharp served as chief executive officer for the Animal Resources Centre (ARC) in Perth, Australia, from 2013 to 2020. He also has served as director of the Laboratory Animals Centre at the National University of Singapore (2006-10), associate director of Animal Care Services at the University of Florida (2004-06), and associate director of the Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine at the UCLA Medical Center (1998–2003).

Dr. Sharp succeeds Dr. Amanda Darbyshire, who served for the past year as interim attending veterinarian.

Click here to view a complete news release about Dr. Sharp’s appointment.

Writer(s): Amy Raley | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

“Paws Up” – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Jim Weisman, assistant dean for clinical education and clinical associate professor, for his many years of dedicated service to the Purdue Veterinary Medicine community.

One Health Film Festival Features Purdue Veterinary Medicine One Health Research

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine has a longstanding commitment to One Health research and education. So it was natural for the college to agree to participate in a film festival orchestrated by an organization it is a member of called the Clinical and Translational Science Award One Health Alliance, or COHA.

PVM Puts Best Paw Forward at 2025 Open House Tomorrow

Lynn Hall will undergo a metamorphosis by nightfall tonight (Friday, April 11) as the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine prepares for the annual Open House tomorrow, Saturday, April 12. Planned by PVM students, the annual event will attract people of all ages who want to see animals and learn about animal health and the profession of Veterinary Medicine.

Upcoming Purdue Day of Giving Enables People and Pups to Unite for a Good Cause

Purdue University’s ever-popular 24-hour online-based annual fundraising effort – the Purdue Day of Giving – will take place Wednesday, April 30. That’s when Boilermakers across the world will have the opportunity to rally around this year’s theme of “All Hail!” – words taken from Purdue’s beloved fight song. For the College of Veterinary Medicine, this special day of giving will focus attention on ways Boilermaker alumni, fans and friends can support animal and human health and well-being by contributing to a variety of Purdue Veterinary Medicine funds.

Lucy’s Story

When an eight-year-old shepherd-mix dog named Lucy was injured after tragically getting struck by a car, co-parents Matt and Gretchen Walker were told that she would likely never walk again. That was over three years ago, in May of 2021. The Walkers, of Brookston, Indiana, had raised Lucy since she was a puppy, and knew that her life was nothing short of worth fighting for. “If she was willing to live, I was willing to do whatever it took,” Matt said as he recounted the story recently.