A Champion for Research and Equity: Dr. Timothy F. Murphy to Retire

Dear university community:

It is with deep gratitude and admiration that I share the news that Timothy F. Murphy, MD, senior associate dean for clinical and translational research, will retire from the University at Buffalo on Oct. 3, after an extraordinary 44 years of service to the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, UB and the Western New York community.

Dr. Murphy has been a pillar of our institution — a visionary leader, a brilliant scientist and a deeply committed mentor. His impact on clinical and translational research at UB is immeasurable. As the founding director of the UB Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) and the Community Health Equity Research Institute, he has helped shape a more collaborative, inclusive and impactful research environment that will benefit generations to come.

His leadership has been critical to the success of our CTSI, securing three Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) from the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Center for Advancing Translational Science program since 2015. This amounts to over $65 million in total CTSA funding, a powerful testament to the robust infrastructure and collaborative spirit Dr. Murphy helped establish and sustain. To ensure the sustained success and continuity of this crucial work, the CTSA grant will transition to a model with multiple principal investigators.

In addition, Dr. Murphy serves as the principal investigator on a $3.6 million P50 grant from the NIH’s National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, titled “Igniting Hope in Buffalo, New York Communities: Training the Next Generation of Health Equity Researchers.” This significant initiative focuses on training early-career faculty to address health inequities in Western New York, highlighting Dr. Murphy’s ongoing commitment to advancing health equity and mentoring future researchers.

An internationally recognized expert in respiratory tract bacterial infections, Dr. Murphy’s work has transformed our understanding of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and otitis media, and his research has led to 13 patents and over 230 publications. His dedication to improving health outcomes, especially for underserved communities, has been unwavering. Under his leadership, the CTSI has tripled the number of actively recruiting clinical trials at UB and built genuine partnerships with community organizations to address health disparities.

In 2024, Dr. Murphy was honored with the UB President’s Medal, a fitting recognition of his decades of service, scholarship, and leadership.

While we will miss his steady guidance and tireless advocacy, this is a well-deserved retirement. Tim has shared that he plans to spend time with his family and, in time, return to the community in a direct service role — a reflection of his lifelong commitment to making a difference.

We will gather in the near future to celebrate Dr. Murphy’s remarkable career and his profound legacy at the Jacobs School, UB, and within the Western New York community. Please join me in congratulating him on this significant milestone and in expressing our heartfelt appreciation for all he has accomplished.

Sincerely,

Allison Brashear, MD, MBA

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