Dr. David Dietz to Join University of Kansas as Dean

It is with a mix of both pride and sadness that I announce David Dietz, PhD, chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, will be leaving the University at Buffalo to assume the role of dean at the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy, effective Aug. 1.

Since joining the Jacobs School faculty in 2011, Dr. Dietz has distinguished himself as an outstanding researcher, mentor, and educator. His leadership has been instrumental in advancing the department’s academic and research missions. Rising to full professor, Dr. Dietz was appointed chair in 2018, following nearly two years as interim chair, and also served as associate dean of research strategy-roles in which he consistently demonstrated vision, dedication, and integrity.

Dr. Dietz’s impact on our academic programs has been profound. He has overseen two undergraduate majors, two master’s programs, and two doctoral programs, and was the founding architect of the school’s undergraduate neuroscience program. His efforts in curricular innovation have ensured that our students are exceptionally well-prepared for the evolving landscape of modern health care.

Internationally recognized for his research, Dr. Dietz has focused on the molecular and behavioral mechanisms underlying addiction, serving as principal investigator on multiple NIH-funded studies aimed at developing novel treatments for substance abuse. His scholarly excellence has been honored at UB with the Young Investigator Award in 2015 and the Sustained Achievement Award in 2023.

Beyond his research and teaching, Dr. Dietz is an active member of leading scientific organizations, including the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, the Society for Neuroscience, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He holds a doctorate in neuroscience from Florida State University, a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rutgers University, and completed postdoctoral training at the Friedman Brain Institute at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

We are deeply grateful for Dr. Dietz’s unwavering commitment and many years of service to the Jacobs School community. Please join me in extending our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes as he embarks on this exciting new chapter.

A search committee for Dr. Dietz’s successor and the appointment of an interim chair will be announced soon.

Sincerely,

Allison Brashear, MD, MBA
Dean, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Vice President for Health Sciences
President and CEO, UBMD Physicians' Group