Susan W. Volk, VMD, PhD, DACVS standing in front of Penn Vet's Ryan Veterinary Hospital in Philadelphia.
[April 13, 2023; Philadelphia, PA] – Andrew M. Hoffman, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn Vet) has named Susan W. Volk, VMD, PhD, DACVS, a renowned veterinary surgeon-scientist, the Corinne R. and Henry Bower Professor of Surgery.
Volk is an international thought leader, speaker, and inventor. Her current research funding includes two NIH grants (RO1) as PI, along with other private foundation awards. Her body of research focuses on mechanisms by which the extracellular matrix regulates key processes in the wound healing-fibrosis-cancer triad. Dr. Volk’s awards include the Penn Center for Innovation’s 2019 Emerging Inventor of the Year and the Wound Healing Foundation’s 2021 Translational Regenerative Science Award. She is a member of the Editorial Board of Wound Repair and Regeneration and an elected member of the Board of Directors for both the Wound Healing Society and the North American Veterinary Regenerative Medicine Association. Recently elected vice president of the Wound Healing Society, Volk will assume the Society’s presidency in 2025.
“Dr. Volk has developed a research portfolio focused on understanding dynamic reciprocity between cells and their surrounding extracellular matrix in both regenerative and tumor microenvironments,” said Hoffman. “The success of her research program underscores her ability to lead cross-disciplinary teams to efficiently develop novel therapies that improve the lives of surgical and cancer patients. This is particularly exemplified by her patented approach to reengineering the tumor microenvironment to prevent metastatic spread following surgical removal of tumors.”
Volk, who is a board-certified Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, earned her veterinary (VMD) and doctoral degrees (PhD) from the University of Pennsylvania, through the University’s Veterinary Medical Scientist Training Program. She joined Penn Vet’s faculty in 2007 as assistant professor of Small Animal Surgery. Volk was appointed associate professor of Small Animal Surgery in 2018, and appointed professor of Small Animal Surgery this year.
“Dr. Volk has dedicated her entire academic and professional career to the pursuit and practice of a veterinarian-surgeon-scientist at the University of Pennsylvania,” said Hoffman. “She reflects the values and dedication that are vital to the mission of Penn Vet, and to our community, directly mentoring more than a hundred graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and surgical residents. Her commitment and scholarly leadership are undeniably suited for this celebrated professorship, and I am delighted to have her on our faculty.”
The awarding of a named, endowed professorship is the highest honor bestowed upon a faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania and reflects a commitment to scientific discovery, mentorship, and service.