Dr. Agricola Odoi has been named assistant dean for The Office of Research and Graduate Studies at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. Within his new role, Odoi, a professor of epidemiology who is recognized as a national and international expert in spatial/geographic and quantitative epidemiology, will also serve as the director of the Comparative and Experimental Medicine (CEM) graduate degree program.

Dr. Jim Thompson, dean of the veterinary college, says Odoi holds in-depth knowledge of the CEM program. “Dr. Odoi is an experienced mentor who brings a strong passion for graduate degree education. His international touches will add greatly to our program, and I know his thoughts and ideas will help our College grow as he assists faculty, staff, and students in their efforts to advance biomedical knowledge.”

Odoi earned his veterinary degree from Makerere University (Uganda), a masters in epidemiology and animal health economics from the University of Nairobi (Kenya), and a Ph.D. in epidemiology from the University of Guelph (Canada). Before joining the veterinary college in 2005, Dr. Odoi taught epidemiology, public health, and veterinary preventive medicine at Makerere University. He served as a public health epidemiologist, a health information analyst, and an information management analyst with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care in Ontario (Canada). 

Dr. Odoi is a fellow of both the American College of Epidemiology and the American Heart Association and an honorary diplomate of the American Veterinary Epidemiology Society.

Prior to Odoi’s appointment, Dr. Stephen Kania served as the College’s first assistant dean of Research and Graduate Studies until his retirement in June.