Academic Enterprise Announcements

The Center for Health and Clinical Outcomes Research (H-COR) is a new university-level initiative led by Neil K. Mehta, PhD, from the Department of Epidemiology in the School of Public and Population Health. H-COR aspires to become a nationally recognized leader in health and clinical outcomes research by leveraging UTMB’s exceptional data infrastructure and multidisciplinary strengths.

Brian K. Walsh, PhD, RRT, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, RPFT, FAARC, has been appointed as the Chair of the Department of Respiratory Therapy, effective February 1, 2025. Dr. Walsh brings with him an impressive 29 years of experience in respiratory therapy and has been a significant asset to UTMB since 2022.

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.