Academic Enterprise Announcements

We thank Scott C. Weaver, PhD, for his strong leadership of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology (M&I) since 2015. A renowned researcher whose contributions are reflected by an impressive record of grant support, publications, and patents, Dr. Weaver has helped elevate the department to a world-class entity in the fight against infectious diseases.

Janice Jones Endsley, PhD, has been named the next Chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, effective March 1, 2025. An accomplished microbiologist, educator, and academic leader, Dr. Endsley has been an asset to the department for nearly two decades. She has the vision and experience necessary to lead its next chapter.

Mandy Hill, DrPH, MPH, has joined School of Public and Population Health as the inaugural Chair, Department of Population Health and Health Disparities. She has more than 20 years of research and experience in public health practice and a long history of NIH funding with a current R34 from the National Institutes of Mental Health.

Please join me in extending appreciation to J. Sean Funston, MD, for his service as Chair ad interim of the Department of Anesthesiology since July 2023.

Marcos Vidal Melo, MD, PhD, will join UTMB as Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology, effective Jan. 10, 2025. Dr. Vidal Melo is an accomplished physician-scientist with more than 23 years of cardiothoracic anesthesiology experience at major academic medical centers.

We extend thanks to Sandra “Sunny” Hatch, MD, FAACS, FACCS, FACR, for her distinguished service as Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology.

Upendra Parvathaneni, M.B., B.S., FRANZCR, will join UTMB as Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, effective Nov. 1. He will hold the John Sealy Distinguished Centennial Chair in Radiation Oncology.

We extend immense gratitude to C. Joan Richardson, MD, following 50-plus years of outstanding service to UTMB and the Department of Pediatrics, as she completes her service as Chair.

Sanjeev Tuli, MD, MEd, FAAP, will join UTMB as Professor and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics, effective Oct. 1, 2024. He will hold the John Sealy Distinguished Chair in Pediatrics.

Antonio Bianco, MD, PhD, a renowned physician-scientist, scholar, and research leader, will join UTMB as Vice President and Vice Provost, Research, and Chief Research Officer, effective Sept. 1.

The Office of Faculty Affairs shares that Kimberly Skarupski, PhD, MPH, will join UTMB as Associate Vice Provost, Leadership Development, effective Aug. 19, 2024.

UTMB was well represented at the TEACH-S Educational Symposium, with three UTMB posters receiving the top awards. This event provides a forum for showcasing scholarly innovations of the regional community of educators.

M. Kristen Peek, PhD, has been named Senior Vice President and Dean of the School of Public and Population Health (SPPH), effective June 1. Dr. Peek has provided outstanding leadership as Dean ad interim of the school since October 2021.

Elizabeth Lyons, PhD, MPH, has been named Chair of the Department of Nutrition, Metabolism, and Rehabilitation Sciences, effective June 1. Dr. Lyons, who has been at UTMB since 2011, has served as interim chair for the past year.

Nausheen Jamal, MD, will serve as Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology at the John Sealy School of Medicine, effective this summer. Dr. Jamal joins UTMB from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine.

Congratulations to two individuals who received the 2023 Roberto Logroño, MD, Award for Professionalism in Health Care: Christen Sadler, MSN, RN, CNM, CNE; and Pooja Agrawal. Both awardees were recognized May 15, 2023.