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Dr. Duncan Kirkby has been appointed Assistant Dean of Students within the Dean of Students Office. In that capacity, he will focus primarily on the Graduate Studies Program, as well as issues pertaining to second term medical students. Dr. Kirkby joined SGU in February 2009 as Professor of Neuroscience. In addition to his teaching duties, he is active in the planning/preparation of selectives, graduate courses, and Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses. Dr. Kirkby looks forward to enhancing the academic and professional lives of students through his work in the DOS office.
Dr. Kirkby studied behavioral neurosciences in Canada, earning Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Saskatchewan and a Doctorate from the University of Victoria. He subsequently undertook postdoctoral studies in Bethesda, Maryland at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (Department of Pharmacology) and the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke). His research focused on normal and pathological changes in synaptic function (e.g. learning and memory, epileptogenesis). Throughout his training, he was the recipient of national research awards.
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Full Story
Overlapping with his doctoral and postdoctoral studies, Dr. Kirkby developed an interest in marine organisms and ecosystems. Fusing his interests, he moved to the northeastern Caribbean in 1997 to focus on medical education, marine biology, conservation, and eco-tourism. During this period, he served as a member of Faculty and Administration in medical educational institutions. In this context, he conducted research into factors predicting performance on USMLE Step I. He has also served as Director and Chair of two Foundations, one related to Hyperbaric Medicine and the other to Marine Studies.
Dr. Kirkby and his spouse, Dr. Brenda Kirkby (Professor of Behavioral Science), regularly dive the waters of Grenada and distant lands such as Indonesia and South Africa. They represent their aquatic experiences both in photos and (more recently) videos. Their images have been used extensively in the promotion of tourism and conservation, appearing in travel magazines, websites, airports, etc. Dr. Kirkby supports the evolving vision, mission and activities of the Grenada Board of Tourism.
Dr. Kirkby advocates supportive working and learning environments. He serves as a Faculty Mentor and welcomes the opportunity to serve the students of SGU as a member of the Dean of Students Office.
We welcome Dr. Kirkby to his new post and wish him outstanding success.
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