DVM, MS, DABVP (Food Animal)
Executive Associate Dean
Associate Dean, Online Programs and Extension
Professor, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine
Dr. Jim Lowe is a distinguished veterinary educator, researcher, and international consultant whose career exemplifies the integration of science and practice in food animal production systems. A 1994 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Lowe completed the Executive Veterinary Program in 2000 and earned a Master of Science degree in infectious disease management in 2004. He became board certified in Food Animal Practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in 2014, though he now holds emeritus status.
Currently serving as Executive Associate Dean and Associate Dean for Online Programs and Extension, Dr. Lowe has risen through the academic ranks to Professor while maintaining an active international consulting practice. His consulting relationships span 25% of the beef cattle marketed in the United States, 8 of the top 30 swine producers in North America, and producers across Europe, Australia, the Middle East, and Asia, along with major packer-processors, food retailers, and multinational animal health suppliers.
Dr. Lowe has been instrumental in developing executive education programs for veterinary professionals since 2009, expanding curricula from swine health management to include beef cattle and systems health approaches. He played a pivotal role in creating the University of Illinois Master of Veterinary Science (MVS) degree program—the first 100% online program of its kind. This innovative 32-credit hour graduate degree offers both online and on-campus delivery options, serving veterinary professionals at all career stages with customizable coursework across various disciplines.
In 2024, Dr. Lowe authored and secured funding for the Veterinary Innovation Hub through the University’s Investment for Growth program. As founding architect of this transformative initiative, he envisioned the Hub as a modern land-grant university embodiment, designed to redefine veterinary care delivery through technology integration. The Hub leverages cutting-edge technologies including artificial intelligence, telemedicine, and computer vision to address veterinarian shortages and professional burnout while improving care consistency and quality.
Dr. Lowe’s research focuses on systems-based approaches to animal and human health problems. His laboratory investigates pathogen transmission factors and how management systems affect host disease responses. He maintains collaborations with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on influenza A evolution and works with commercial organizations applying novel technologies for veterinary decision-making. His scholarly contributions include more than 50 scientific articles and numerous professional presentations.
His contributions have been recognized through prestigious awards including the 2007 Allen D. Leman Science in Practice Award and the 2010 Howard Dunne Memorial Lecture. He has served on the American Association of Swine Veterinarians Board of Directors and various professional committees advancing food animal medicine.
Dr. Lowe resides in Illinois with his wife, who is also a veterinarian. As a farmer himself, he brings practical experience to his academic and consulting work. His systems-based approach to animal health challenges, combined with global consulting experience and educational innovation, positions him as a thought leader in veterinary medicine and food production systems.
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