Sharon M Dial

Biography

Sharon M. Dial, DVM, Ph.D., DACVP (Clinical and Anatomic Pathology) received her DVM in 1982 from Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine.  After practicing in a small rural community in Colorado for one year, she returned to Colorado State University for a combined Ph.D. and residency in clinical pathology.  Her Ph.D. research focused on using 4-methylpyrazole to treat ethylene glycol poisoning in dogs and cats.  She remained at CSU and completed a National Institute of Health National Research Service Award to investigate bone marrow transplantation for mucopolysaccharidosis VI in cats.  Following the completion of the NRSA, she spent one year at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine as an instructor in clinical pathology.

 

In 1990, she joined the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine faculty as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology.  While at LSU, she developed a passion for diagnostic pathology and teaching.  It was at LSU that her interest in incorporating active, self-directed learning into the pedagogy of clinical pathology. She left academia in 1994 to pursue diagnostic pathology in a large private veterinary diagnostic laboratory.  Here she realized the importance of communication and “teaching in the moment” in case consultations with submitting veterinarians.  After twenty-five years in the diagnostic world, she is excited to be returning to academia at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine. 

 

The innovative curriculum at the UAzCVM has allowed her to take the insight into the daily challenges of practicing veterinarians she gained as a working diagnostic pathologist and apply it to educating veterinary students in the skills needed as a day-one veterinarian.  The students and faculty of the veterinary program provide daily inspiration for continuing her journey into active learning using Team-based Learning and Peer Instruction active learning methodology. 

Degrees

• Ph.D. Veterinary Pathology
• Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
• 4-Methylpyrazole as an antidote to ethylene glycol toxicity in the dog and cat.
• D.V.M. Veterinary Medicine
• Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
• B.S. Microbiology
• Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana

Awards

• Regional Teaching Academy Award for Educational Service
• Regional Teaching Academy, Spring 2024