Dr. Gustavo Arrizabalaga Brings Expertise and Vision to Jacobs School as Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs

Dear Jacobs School community,

I am delighted to announce the appointment of Gustavo A. Arrizabalaga, PhD, as the new senior associate dean for faculty affairs at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, effective October 1. 

Dr. Arrizabalaga joins us from the Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM), where he distinguished himself as a professor in the Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Microbiology and Immunology.

With a robust background in faculty affairs and professional development, Dr. Arrizabalaga has served as the assistant dean for faculty affairs and professional development, assistant director of the independent investigator incubator and director of faculty mentoring at Indiana University. His extensive experience in faculty mentoring and development will be invaluable to our institution.

Dr. Arrizabalaga earned his PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he conducted pioneering research on the Drosophila protein Nanos. He further honed his expertise during his post-doctoral fellowship at Stanford University School of Medicine, focusing on molecular and genetic studies of Toxoplasma gondii. His impressive research portfolio includes numerous peer-reviewed publications that have significantly advanced our understanding of parasitic diseases.

In addition to his academic and research accomplishments, Dr. Arrizabalaga has been recognized with multiple teaching awards, including the Trustees Teaching Award at Indiana University. His commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident through his leadership roles and accolades, such as the University of Idaho Commitment to Diversity Faculty Award. At Indiana University, he led efforts in faculty mentoring, contributing significantly to the professional growth and development of early-stage faculty members.

Dr. Arrizabalaga has established an externally funded research program focused on the cell and molecular biology of Toxoplasma gondii. His highly interdisciplinary research program is currently funded by four National Institutes of Health (NIH) awards and includes a research professor, a post-doctoral fellow, and four doctoral students. 

His commitment to mentoring extends to students and trainees, with a focus on representational diversity and inclusion. He has been deeply involved in graduate education, serving as chair of the admission committee for the IUSM doctoral programs, director of the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in Biomedical Sciences, and course director for Experimental Design and Grant Writing and Entering Biomedical Research.

As the director of the Program to Launch URM Success (PLUS), Dr. Arrizabalaga has supported the career development of early-stage faculty from groups underrepresented in academic medicine. He has developed the Enhancing Your Scientific Career: Unlocking your Inner Mentor Series, using the Entering Mentoring curricula from the National Research Mentoring Network, where he also serves as a grant writing coach. 

Since early 2020, Dr. Arrizabalaga has served as an assistant dean for faculty affairs and professional development, developing programs, workshops and policies to enhance institutional diversity and foster an inclusive and equity-minded research and learning environment.

As senior associate dean for faculty affairs, Dr. Arrizabalaga will oversee faculty recognition, career development and mentoring. He will work closely with the dean and Jacobs School leadership to lead recruitment, appointments, promotions and tenure decisions. His strategic leadership will support faculty success and promote a diverse and inclusive academic environment. Dr. Arrizabalaga's priorities will include leadership development and onboarding to ensure that new faculty members are well-prepared to excel in their roles.

We are grateful to Suzanne G. Laychock, PhD, for her outstanding service as senior associate dean for faculty affairs over the last five years. Dr. Laychock will now take on the role of associate dean for faculty affairs, continuing to offer her exceptional expertise in faculty promotion and tenure to the Office of Faculty Affairs.

We extend our sincere thanks to Gregory Cherr, MD, senior associate dean for graduate medical education and professor of surgery, and the search committee for their diligent efforts throughout this process.

We are confident that Dr. Arrizabalaga’s leadership, vision and dedication to excellence will greatly benefit our faculty and contribute to the continued success and growth of the Jacobs School. Please join me in warmly welcoming Dr. Gustavo A. Arrizabalaga to our community.

Warm regards,

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