PVM Alumna Claire Hankenson Named as New Associate Vice Provost for Research at Penn

July 16, 2021

Dr. F. Claire Hankenson (PU DVM ‘97) has been appointed as the new associate vice provost for research and executive director of University Laboratory Animal Resources (ULAR) at the University of Pennsylvania, effective November 1, 2021. The announcement was made in June by Penn’s Senior Vice Provost for Research Dawn Bonnell.

According to an article in the Penn Almanac, the official weekly journal of record, opinion and news for the University of Pennsylvania community, Dr. Hankenson also will serve as Penn’s attending veterinarian. In her new roles, she will oversee ULAR and lead the division of laboratory animal medicine as a professor of clinical pathobiology in Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine.

A 1997 DVM graduate of Purdue University, Dr. Hankenson is a past president of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine and the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of Public Responsibility in Medicine & Research. She also recently served as the sole laboratory animal veterinarian on the National Institutes of Health Advisory Committee to the Director (ACD)’s Working Group on Enhancing Reproducibility and Rigor in Animal Research. In addition to her Purdue University degree, Dr. Hankenson holds an MS from the University of Washington, and a BA from Indiana University.

Currently, Dr. Hankenson serves as a professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University (MSU), where she also is the attending veterinarian and director of Campus Animal Resources. She has been responsible for MSU’s animal programs during a period of growth in biomedical research and recently oversaw the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining research animal populations and ensuring the continuation of critical animal research projects during this unprecedented time. Before her position at MSU, Dr. Hankenson served for eight years at Penn as senior associate director of ULAR. “Dr. Hankenson is a proven leader with a strong record of accomplishments who will skillfully lead the next trajectory of excellence at ULAR and the academic laboratory animal medicine programs and I am delighted that she is returning to Penn,” said Senior Vice Provost Bonnell.

Click here to view the article in the Penn Almanac.

Writer(s): University of Pennsylvania | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

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

We’d like to give a big “paws up” to Dr. Rachel Illgen, who is a small animal rotating intern in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital.

Purdue Veterinary Student Named as National Theriogenology Scholarship Recipient

Congratulations to Devon Anderson, of the Purdue DVM Class of 2025, who recently was notified that he has been selected as one of just four recipients of the prestigious Nandi Theriogenology Scholarship. The award, given by the Society for Theriogenology, recognizes exceptional veterinary students from across North America who have demonstrated a strong commitment to the field of theriogenology — the study of animal reproduction.

Sunny Skies and Creative Exhibits Draw Hundreds to Annual PVM Open House

Sunrise on Saturday, April 12, brought the promise of a lovely spring day and large crowds for a beloved spring tradition at Lynn Hall on the Purdue University West Lafayette campus – the annual Purdue Veterinary Medicine Open House. Organized by PVM students, the day-long event is held each year as part of Purdue University’s Spring Fest celebration.

Cat Care, Comfort, and Extra Time

Today we begin a Vet Gazette series about animals and their owners who've found help and healing at the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital. Periodically we will share heartwarming tributes from hospital clients who wanted to highlight the vital care and treatment their animal companions received from the hospital's caring team of clinicians, veterinary nurses, staff and students. The first is the tale of a cat named Gabby.

New PVM Interim Assistant Dean for Clinical Education Named

As of this week, Dr. Wendy Townsend, professor of Ophthalmology in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, has begun serving as interim assistant dean for clinical education in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. Her appointment was effective Wednesday, April 16.

Nine PVM Faculty Members among Newly Promoted Purdue University Professors

The Purdue University Board of Trustees has approved the promotion of 163 faculty across the Purdue University system for the 2025-26 academic year, and a total of nine Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty members are among the 137 promotees from the main campus.