VMCVM Alumni Spotlight: Timothy Fan
Timothy M. Fan '91, DVM '95
Professor at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
How VMCVM equipped me for the 'real world'...
The veterinary program emphasized team learning and how to work with other people from diverse backgrounds. Because veterinarians are often on the front line of interacting with concerned pet owners, being comfortable with communicating with individuals of different backgrounds and personality types is extremely important and a prerequisite for successfully building trust.
Best part of being a VMCVM alum...
Seeing how the veterinary program and college have grown over the years is inspiring and knowing that I am a product of that program motivates me to foster the continued development of the next generation veterinary healthcare professional students.
Best advice I've gotten....
Treat people the way you would want to be treated.
How would you capture the essence of your work in a newspaper headline...
Comparative oncology accelerates new cancer discoveries to benefit both pets and people.
My hidden talent...
Being able to fall asleep in less than 15 seconds.
A person who has inspired me...
My wife, Jodi, has inspired me to love my family deeply and with open affection.
What did you learn at the college that you never thought you would benefit from?
How to assemble those crazy Elizabethan collars.
Biggest misconception about my job or industry...
Being a specialist helps me with providing an educated and informed opinion on problems and outcomes, but I am far from being a fortune teller and having all of the answers.
Words of encouragement to a current veterinary college student...
Focus on learning the "how" and "why" to build a solid knowledge foundation, and don't waste energy in memorizing the minutiae.
Fondest college memory or tradition...
Playing pickup games in basketball on Friday nights at War Memorial Hall.
A cause I'm most passionate about... The most formative experience I've had...
I am passionate about working with brilliant basic scientists who have discovered new technologies or devices for treating cancer, and I can apply these innovations to help pet dogs and cats diagnosed with deadly tumors. Through these collaborations, I hope that new therapies can be made available to improve veterinary medicine, and at the same time, accelerate similar discoveries to fight cancer in people too.
Top of my bucket list...
Family vacation in a peaceful warm tropical paradise.
My favorite quote...
You don't need to be the best, but you should try your best.
Being a VMCVM alumnus means...
I am part of an extended veterinary family and trying to improve and provide compassionate care for four-legged, furry family members.
How many pets/animals live at home? Can you tell us about them?
6 dogs, 4 cats, 1 box turtle, many koi fish, and marine aquariums. All dogs are rescues from shelters or other organizations and have unique personalities, mostly endearing. Cats are very friendly, and one (Clem) being "dog like" with his need for affection and physical contact and he is my favorite of the cats.