Home Academic Enterprise Announcements Article Academic Enterprise Announcements Exciting things are happening in UTMB's Academic Enterprise every day.We are committed to keeping our UTMB community informed about news from the AE - from new leadership appointments and awards to development and learning opportunities for our faculty, staff, and students.Read announcements from members of our AE leadership and other important news items from across the AE. Luke Appointed Graduate Department Chair, SON June 11, 2026 • 4:00 p.m. I am pleased to announce the appointment of Sheba Ann Luke, DNP, RN, FNP-C, NEA-BC, as Graduate Department Chair, effective July 1, 2026. Mollhagen Named Associate Dean of Student Affairs, SHP June 10, 2026 • 1:19 p.m. I am pleased to announce that Amber Mollhagen, PhD, LMSW, will join the School of Health Professions as Associate Dean of Student Affairs, effective Monday, July 6, 2026. Varekojis Named Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, SHP June 4, 2026 • 1:23 p.m. I am pleased to announce that Sarah Varekojis, PhD, RRT, RRT-ACCS, FNAP, FAARC, will join the School of Health Professions as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, effective Monday, July 6, 2026. Hornak Appointed Associate Dean for Global Initiatives May 22, 2026 • 9:00 a.m. The John Sealy School of Medicine is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. J. Patrik Hornak as Associate Dean for Global Initiatives. Thaker named Pathology Chair; Stevenson-Lerner named John Sealy Diagnostic Center Director May 13, 2026 • 2:04 p.m. Harsh Thaker, MD, PhD, has been named Chair of the Department of Pathology in the John Sealy School of Medicine and will also hold the prestigious John Sealy Distinguished Chair for the Advancement of Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Heather Stevenson-Lerner, MD, PhD, FCAP, has been named Director of the John Sealy Diagnostic Center. Gary Named Chair, Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, JSSOM April 27, 2026 • 2:28 p.m. I am pleased to announce the appointment of Joshua L. Gary, MD, as Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, effective Aug 3, 2026. Plante named Research Security Officer, Office of Research Security April 14, 2026 • 4:20 p.m. I am pleased to announce the appointment of a new leader within the Chief Research Office as part of our ongoing efforts to align with institutional priorities and support our research mission. Kenneth Plante, PhD, will serve as the Research Security Officer for the newly created Office of Research Security effective April 1, 2026. Neugebauer named Chair, Department of Neurobiology, JSSOM March 17, 2026 • 9:50 a.m. Volker Neugebauer, MD, PhD, has accepted the position of Chair of the Department of Neurobiology and will join The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) this fall. Freiberg named Associate Director, Galveston National Laboratory March 3, 2026 • 8:43 a.m. Alexander N. Freiberg, PhD, has accepted the role of Associate Director of the Galveston National Laboratory (GNL) at the University of Texas Medical Branch, effective March 1, 2026. Wintermark named Radiology Chair, JSSOM February 26, 2026 • 12:12 p.m. The John Sealy School of Medicine is pleased to announce the appointment of Max Wintermark, MD, MS, MBA, as the new Chair of the Department of Radiology, effective April 1, 2026. Berenson named Vice Dean for Research, JSSOM November 21, 2025 • 1:53 p.m. I am pleased to announce that Abbey Berenson, MD, PhD, has accepted the new role of Vice Dean for Research at the John Sealy School of Medicine (JSSOM), effective December 1, 2025. Dr. Susan Chubinskaya named Senior VP, Provost, and Chief Academic Officer November 20, 2025 • 10:14 a.m. Susan Chubinskaya, PhD, MS, has been appointed Senior Vice President, Provost, and Chief Academic Officer of The University of Texas Medical Branch. Gugala Named Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Career Advising, JSSOM November 5, 2025 • 9:05 a.m. I am pleased to announce that Zbigniew Gugala, MD, PhD, has accepted the new role of Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Career Advising at the John Sealy School of Medicine (JSSOM), effective Nov. 1, 2025. Celebrating New Accreditations for the Health Education Center October 17, 2025 • 10:35 a.m. I am elated to congratulate our Health Education Center (HEC) team on achieving additional levels of accreditation in Human Simulation and Research from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH). These new distinctions build upon the HEC’s 2024 SSH accreditations in Assessment and Teaching/Education, further highlighting the HEC’s commitment to excellence. Recognizing Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences Director for Three Decades of Service September 26, 2025 • 9:00 a.m. We are honored to announce the retirement of Alan Barrett, PhD, DSc (Hon), Professor and Director of the Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences in the John Sealy School of Medicine at UTMB. Dr. Barrett has served UTMB with a distinguished career for 32 years, in the areas of research, education and administration. Recognizing Longtime Neurobiology Chair Chung for 44 Years of Service September 8, 2025 • 3:50 p.m. We are honored to announce the retirement of Jin Mo Chung, PhD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurobiology in the John Sealy School of Medicine at UTMB. Dr. Chung has served UTMB with distinction for 44 years, leaving an indelible mark on our institution through his leadership, research, and mentorship. Aiden Appointed Chair, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, JSSOM August 11, 2025 • 3:40 p.m. Erez Lieberman Aiden, PhD, has been appointed Chair of the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, effective Aug. 12, 2025. He will also serve as Professor of BioSciences at Rice University, strengthening ties between our institutions. Garofalo, Stevenson-Lerner Appointed as New Co-Directors of MD-PhD Program at UTMB July 15, 2025 • 10:50 a.m. Dr. Roberto Garofalo and Dr. Heather Stevenson-Lerner were appointed as the new co-directors of the MD-PhD Program at UTMB. Their combined leadership marks an exciting new phase in the development of a program that plays a vital role in the life of our academic medical center. Morrow Appointed Director, Sealy Center on Aging July 1, 2025 • 10:00 a.m. Melissa (Missy) Morrow, PhD, has been appointed Director of the Sealy Center on Aging at The University of Texas Medical Branch. A distinguished scientist, mentor, and leader in the field of rehabilitation research, Dr. Morrow brings a wealth of expertise to her new role. Mehta Named Inaugural Chair, Epidemiology, SPPH June 30, 2025 • 10:00 a.m. Neil Mehta, PhD, MSc, MA, was named the Inaugural Chair of the Department of Epidemiology, SPPH, effective July 1. Dr. Mehta also serves as the Associate Dean for Research in the School of Public and Population Health as well as the Director for the newly established UTMB Center for Health and Clinical Outcomes Research. We want your news! If you know of an Academic Enterprise news item that should be featured here, please let us know! It could be an award, a new appointment, or a great opportunity open to others in the AE. Contact a member of our AE Communications team to let us know.Cortney MartinManager, Communications and Community InitiativesEmail • (409) 772-0081Ashley TorresSenior Communications SpecialistEmail • (409) 266-4027Richard (Joey) McCuskerCommunications SpecialistEmail • (409) 266-9018Follow Us! Categories Clinical News (6) Education News (5) Faculty News (46) Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences News (1) John Sealy School of Medicine News (16) Leadership Announcements (43) Our Students (5) Research News (15) School of Health Professions News (3) School of Nursing News (6) School of Public and Population Health News (7) Search
Luke Appointed Graduate Department Chair, SON June 11, 2026 • 4:00 p.m. I am pleased to announce the appointment of Sheba Ann Luke, DNP, RN, FNP-C, NEA-BC, as Graduate Department Chair, effective July 1, 2026.
Mollhagen Named Associate Dean of Student Affairs, SHP June 10, 2026 • 1:19 p.m. I am pleased to announce that Amber Mollhagen, PhD, LMSW, will join the School of Health Professions as Associate Dean of Student Affairs, effective Monday, July 6, 2026.
Varekojis Named Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, SHP June 4, 2026 • 1:23 p.m. I am pleased to announce that Sarah Varekojis, PhD, RRT, RRT-ACCS, FNAP, FAARC, will join the School of Health Professions as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, effective Monday, July 6, 2026.
Hornak Appointed Associate Dean for Global Initiatives May 22, 2026 • 9:00 a.m. The John Sealy School of Medicine is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. J. Patrik Hornak as Associate Dean for Global Initiatives.
Thaker named Pathology Chair; Stevenson-Lerner named John Sealy Diagnostic Center Director May 13, 2026 • 2:04 p.m. Harsh Thaker, MD, PhD, has been named Chair of the Department of Pathology in the John Sealy School of Medicine and will also hold the prestigious John Sealy Distinguished Chair for the Advancement of Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Heather Stevenson-Lerner, MD, PhD, FCAP, has been named Director of the John Sealy Diagnostic Center.
Gary Named Chair, Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, JSSOM April 27, 2026 • 2:28 p.m. I am pleased to announce the appointment of Joshua L. Gary, MD, as Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, effective Aug 3, 2026.
Plante named Research Security Officer, Office of Research Security April 14, 2026 • 4:20 p.m. I am pleased to announce the appointment of a new leader within the Chief Research Office as part of our ongoing efforts to align with institutional priorities and support our research mission. Kenneth Plante, PhD, will serve as the Research Security Officer for the newly created Office of Research Security effective April 1, 2026.
Neugebauer named Chair, Department of Neurobiology, JSSOM March 17, 2026 • 9:50 a.m. Volker Neugebauer, MD, PhD, has accepted the position of Chair of the Department of Neurobiology and will join The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) this fall.
Freiberg named Associate Director, Galveston National Laboratory March 3, 2026 • 8:43 a.m. Alexander N. Freiberg, PhD, has accepted the role of Associate Director of the Galveston National Laboratory (GNL) at the University of Texas Medical Branch, effective March 1, 2026.
Wintermark named Radiology Chair, JSSOM February 26, 2026 • 12:12 p.m. The John Sealy School of Medicine is pleased to announce the appointment of Max Wintermark, MD, MS, MBA, as the new Chair of the Department of Radiology, effective April 1, 2026.
Berenson named Vice Dean for Research, JSSOM November 21, 2025 • 1:53 p.m. I am pleased to announce that Abbey Berenson, MD, PhD, has accepted the new role of Vice Dean for Research at the John Sealy School of Medicine (JSSOM), effective December 1, 2025.
Dr. Susan Chubinskaya named Senior VP, Provost, and Chief Academic Officer November 20, 2025 • 10:14 a.m. Susan Chubinskaya, PhD, MS, has been appointed Senior Vice President, Provost, and Chief Academic Officer of The University of Texas Medical Branch.
Gugala Named Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Career Advising, JSSOM November 5, 2025 • 9:05 a.m. I am pleased to announce that Zbigniew Gugala, MD, PhD, has accepted the new role of Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Career Advising at the John Sealy School of Medicine (JSSOM), effective Nov. 1, 2025.
Celebrating New Accreditations for the Health Education Center October 17, 2025 • 10:35 a.m. I am elated to congratulate our Health Education Center (HEC) team on achieving additional levels of accreditation in Human Simulation and Research from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH). These new distinctions build upon the HEC’s 2024 SSH accreditations in Assessment and Teaching/Education, further highlighting the HEC’s commitment to excellence.
Recognizing Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences Director for Three Decades of Service September 26, 2025 • 9:00 a.m. We are honored to announce the retirement of Alan Barrett, PhD, DSc (Hon), Professor and Director of the Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences in the John Sealy School of Medicine at UTMB. Dr. Barrett has served UTMB with a distinguished career for 32 years, in the areas of research, education and administration.
Recognizing Longtime Neurobiology Chair Chung for 44 Years of Service September 8, 2025 • 3:50 p.m. We are honored to announce the retirement of Jin Mo Chung, PhD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurobiology in the John Sealy School of Medicine at UTMB. Dr. Chung has served UTMB with distinction for 44 years, leaving an indelible mark on our institution through his leadership, research, and mentorship.
Aiden Appointed Chair, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, JSSOM August 11, 2025 • 3:40 p.m. Erez Lieberman Aiden, PhD, has been appointed Chair of the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, effective Aug. 12, 2025. He will also serve as Professor of BioSciences at Rice University, strengthening ties between our institutions.
Garofalo, Stevenson-Lerner Appointed as New Co-Directors of MD-PhD Program at UTMB July 15, 2025 • 10:50 a.m. Dr. Roberto Garofalo and Dr. Heather Stevenson-Lerner were appointed as the new co-directors of the MD-PhD Program at UTMB. Their combined leadership marks an exciting new phase in the development of a program that plays a vital role in the life of our academic medical center.
Morrow Appointed Director, Sealy Center on Aging July 1, 2025 • 10:00 a.m. Melissa (Missy) Morrow, PhD, has been appointed Director of the Sealy Center on Aging at The University of Texas Medical Branch. A distinguished scientist, mentor, and leader in the field of rehabilitation research, Dr. Morrow brings a wealth of expertise to her new role.
Mehta Named Inaugural Chair, Epidemiology, SPPH June 30, 2025 • 10:00 a.m. Neil Mehta, PhD, MSc, MA, was named the Inaugural Chair of the Department of Epidemiology, SPPH, effective July 1. Dr. Mehta also serves as the Associate Dean for Research in the School of Public and Population Health as well as the Director for the newly established UTMB Center for Health and Clinical Outcomes Research.