Dean of Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences steps down; interim dean named

Jamboor K. Vishwanatha, PhD, who has served as Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UNT Health Sciences Center for six years, has announced he is stepping down at the end of December.

Dr. Vishwanatha plans to devote his time to work related to diversifying the biomedical workforce. He also will serve as Special Assistant to the Provost for Minority Affairs.

Dr. Vishwanatha joined UNT Health Science Center in 2004 and is a renowned breast and prostate cancer researcher. He holds a doctorate from the University of South Carolina.

"I want to thank Dr. Vishwanatha for his six years of service as Dean of the GSBS, and for the many ways he is working to ensure greater diversity in the biomedical sciences and recognition for our institution," said Thomas Yorio, PhD, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Meharvan "Sonny" Singh, PhD, Professor and present Chairman of the Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, will serve as Interim Dean of the Graduate School while a national search is conducted. Dr. Singh currently is director of the Institute for Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease Research (IAADR), a position he will relinquish as Interim Dean.

Dr. Singh joined the faculty of UNT Health Science Center in 2001 and is recognized for his research on the role of hormones in the aging brain.
He received his doctorate from the University of Florida.

Sid O’Bryant, PhD, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, will become Interim Director of IAADR. Dr. O’Bryant joined the UNT Health Science Center faculty in 2012 and is a leading Alzheimer’s disease researcher. He earned a PhD from the University of Albany, State University of New York.

Michael Forster, PhD, Professor of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, will serve as Interim Chair of the Department. He joined the faculty of UNT Health Science Center in 1986 as a research assistant professor and is an expert in age-associated brain dysfuction. He earned his doctorate from Bowling Green State University.

 

 

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