Atlantic Veterinary College and the UPEI medical school announce joint faculty hire
The University of Prince Edward Island is pleased to announce that Dr. Joseph Gordon has been appointed Professor of Comparative Medicine in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI). This position is a joint hire between the Faculty of Medicine and the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC). Dr. Gordon will teach anatomy in the medical school and conduct his research at AVC.
Dr. Gordon brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role. As a faculty member, he held the rank of associate professor at the University of Manitoba. He has over 12 years of experience teaching undergraduate and graduate students in various disciplines. His expertise spans programs such as nursing, kinesiology, biology, health sciences, and the physician assistant program, making him an ideal fit for the interdisciplinary nature of the new medical school teaching facility.
“We are thrilled to have Dr. Gordon as the on-site lead in our anatomy laboratories for the UPEI regional medical school campus, working hand in hand with Memorial’s Faculty of Medicine team,” said Dr. Preston Smith, Dean of the UPEI Faculty of Medicine Joint Doctor program. “As a regional campus, we are uniquely positioned to explore a shared faculty model maximizing synergies amongst other faculties across campus, which will create unique collaborative partnerships.”
Dr. Gordon has approximately $1,000,000 in active research funding and will significantly add to UPEI’s research portfolio. His research focuses on regulating mitochondrial function and metabolism during cardiac and skeletal muscle development and remodelling, including obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetic cardiomyopathy. His laboratory utilizes cellular, molecular, and multi-omics approaches in primary and immortalized cells, differentiated human-induced pluripotent stem cells, and conditional knockout mice. Dr. Gordon’s research program, which is funded through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, a New Frontiers Research Fund, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, and Diabetes Canada, holds great promise for advancing the understanding of these critical health issues.
“Dr. Gordon’s joint appointment is a tremendous opportunity for AVC and UPEI to lead the way in One Health initiatives,” said Dr. Dominique Griffon, Dean of the AVC. “By sharing his knowledge across faculties, he will help to break down silos and foster a more integrated approach to health that benefits both our students and the broader community.”
Dr. Gordon’s passion for and years of experience in teaching and research make him a valuable addition to the UPEI community. He is also deeply committed to the success of the new medical school in collaboration with Memorial University. This fall, he will reach a significant milestone—25 years of experience teaching anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology.
