Jacobs School Mourns the Passing of Paul Knight III, MD, PhD
Published March 31, 2026
Dear Jacobs School community,
I am deeply saddened to share the news that Paul Knight III, MD, PhD, a valued member of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, passed away on March 28.
Dr. Knight devoted his career to the University at Buffalo with extraordinary commitment and distinction. Recruited to UB as professor of anesthesiology and microbiology he served as chair from 1992 to 1998, providing steady, principled leadership during a period of significant growth. He later served as senior vice chair for research in the Department of Anesthesiology and retired in January 2025.
An internationally recognized physician‑scientist, Dr. Knight was an attending anesthesiologist at the Veterans Affairs Western New York Healthcare System and served as director of UB’s MD‑PhD Program, where he was a passionate advocate for the training of physician‑scientists and for mentorship at every career stage.
Dr. Knight’s scholarly contributions earned him national and international recognition, particularly for his pioneering research on lung injury, myocardial dynamics, and the effects of anesthetics on viral replication and host immune responses. A pioneer in anesthesiology and critical care, his translational research significantly advanced both clinical practice and public health.
A prolific scholar and educator, Dr. Knight authored more than 100 peer‑reviewed publications and served as editor of the seventh edition of Wylie and Churchill‑Davidson’s A Practice of Anesthesia, the field’s premier textbook. A SUNY Distinguished Professor, he received the University at Buffalo Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and the Stockton Kimball Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to research and education.
On behalf of the Jacobs School community, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Dr. Knight’s family, friends, colleagues and former trainees.
We will share opportunities in the days ahead to honor Dr. Knight’s life and legacy and to reflect on the lasting impact of his leadership, scholarship and mentorship.
With sincere sympathy,
Allison Brashear, MD, MBA
Dean, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Vice President for Health Sciences, University at Buffalo
President and CEO, UBMD Physicians' Group
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