Celebrating Leadership Excellence and Embracing New Beginnings in Faculty Affairs

Dear Jacobs School community,

Suzanne G. Laychock, PhD, has successfully served as the associate dean of faculty affairs at the Jacobs School and will now be stepping down from this role. Jessica L. Reynolds, PhD ’03, will be taking over this position.

Dr. Laychock has been an invaluable member of our faculty, contributing significantly to the development of our faculty and the advancement of biomedical education programs. Her distinguished career includes a wealth of accomplishments in the field of pharmacology and toxicology. She has overseen faculty development and undergraduate biomedical education programs, and her research in endocrine pharmacology has made substantial contributions to our understanding of insulin secretion and diabetes mellitus.

Throughout her career, Dr. Laychock has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the Dean's Award (2010) and the Stockton Kimball Award (2007) from the Jacobs School, as well as the UB Exceptional Scholar Program - Sustained Achievement Award. She has also been a dedicated mentor and leader, serving in various roles such as senior associate dean for research and biomedical education and facilities, chair of the UB Faculty Senate, and director of the Medical Scientist (MD-PhD) Training Program.

Dr. Laychock's legacy includes her extensive research, numerous publications, and her service on editorial boards and committees. Her contributions to the university and the broader scientific community have been profound and will continue to inspire future generations.

As an associate professor in the Department of Medicine and the current vice chair for faculty development at the Jacobs School, Dr. Reynolds brings a wealth of leadership experience and a fresh perspective that will undoubtedly continue to drive our mission forward. Her work in nanomedicine, which includes developing nanotechnology and biological-based delivery vehicles targeting astrocytes, microglial cells and macrophages, has been groundbreaking. These cells play a prominent role in HIV and neuroAIDs pathogenesis and co-infections associated with HIV, such as tuberculosis (TB). Dr. Reynolds' laboratory has developed a new therapy that combines anti-TB drugs with the actions of the innate immune system to synergistically eradicate pathogens, potentially reducing drug dosage, treatment duration, dose-dependent toxicity and the emergence of drug resistance.

Dr. Reynolds earned her PhD in pathology from the University at Buffalo and has completed several prestigious fellowships. She has held various significant roles at the Jacobs School, including vice chair for faculty development and associate director of the Work Force Development Core at the UB CTSI. Her contributions to research and education have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the Distinguished Biomedical Alumna and Outstanding Mentorship in Research awards.

Please join us in expressing our deepest gratitude to Dr. Laychock for her exceptional service and dedication, and in welcoming Dr. Reynolds to her new role. We look forward to her leadership and continued contributions to our community.

Warm regards,

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