Virginia Tech alum Ira Blader returns to head veterinary college research department
Ira Blader, a Virginia Tech alum, has come full circle in his academic journey.
He has returned to his alma mater as the new Head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM). Blader brings with him a wealth of experience in cell biology, neuroscience, and parasitology, along with a vision for departmental growth and excellence.
Academic journey
“For me, this is really like coming home. That's how it feels," Blader said, reflecting on his return to Blacksburg and VMCVM, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and performed his undergraduate research in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology.
After graduating from Virginia Tech, Blader pursued his Ph.D. in Cell Biology/Neuroscience at the University of Alabama, Birmingham. His academic path then led him to Stanford University for a postdoctoral fellowship, where he shifted his focus to parasitology.
"I'm fascinated by how cells talk to each other,” Blader explained about his transition to parasitology. "In neuroscience, it's obviously an important thing. But actually, how a host and a pathogen interact with each other is also another form of intercellular communication."
His research focuses on Toxoplasma gondii a parasite that can infect humans and animals, contributing significantly to our understanding of host-pathogen interactions.
Vision for the department
Blader’s career has included faculty positions at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and, most recently, as a professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University at Buffalo.
Blader was drawn to the veterinary college by its clear mission and the enthusiasm of its faculty and leadership. "I've never seen such motivation and buy-in into a mission as I have here," he said. "The department follows the three land-grant missions of service, teaching, and research. But what I've noticed is that these are pursued collectively, all focused in the same direction."
As the new head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Blader brings a clear vision for growth and excellence. "I want to see it grow and become a premier department," he said.
Mentorship philosophy
Blader's approach to mentoring reflects his dedication to nurturing the next generation of veterinary scientists. For graduate students, he emphasizes tailored mentorship: "You have to look at the student in front of you, figure out what it is they want to do, what their goals are, what their tools are that they have at hand. And work with that and allow them to grow within who they are."
Personal interests
Outside of research and departmental leadership, Blader enjoys several hobbies, including furniture building, growing plants and archery. Blader and his wife share their home with two dogs and two cats, joking that his wife is "already worried I'm going to be bringing home more dogs."
