Past Chairs

Perry Hogan, PhD

Chair of Physiology and Biophysics, 2015-20

  • Named a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor 

Harold C. Strauss, MD

Chair of Physiology and Biophysics, 1998-2013

  • Conducted research on the electrophysiology of cardiac cells and the structure and function of potassium channels, aimed at developing safer, more effective antiarrhythmic drugs
  • Served on various committees and boards of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health and received the Award for Meritorious Achievement from the American Heart Association
  • Was associate editor of Circulation Research and served on the editorial board of the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology 

Charles V. Paganelli, PhD

Interim Chair of Physiology, 1980-82, 1991-97

  • Studied a variety of physiology topics, including how environmental conditions, such as elevation and hypoxia, affect physiology, sodium transport and pathways between cells, and water regulation in avian eggs
  • Member of UB's Faculty Senate for more than a decade, including a term on the Faculty Senate Executive Committee. Also was a member of the steering committee for the self-study that led to UB's 1982 Middle States accreditation.
  • Was named a SUNY Distinguished Service Professor in 1997 

Leon E. Farhi, MD

Chair of Physiology, 1982-91

  • Conducted research on pulmonary medicine, environmental physiology and bioengineering for more than 35 years. He studied and published research on human lung gas exchange and new methods for measuring cardiac output and distribution of respiratory gases in the lungs and other tissues, among other topics.
  • Was a SUNY Distinguished Professor, received the Stockton Kimball Award from UB's School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and was named an Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Senior Fellow
  • Served on the editorial boards of multiple journals, including the Journal of Physiology, Journal of Applied Physiology, and Respiration Physiology 

Michael Anbar, PhD

Chair of Biophysics, 1977-90

  • Worked as a research chemist and senior scientist at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel and was a consultant to the Israel Atomic Energy Commission
  • Studied and published on many topics in physiology, including nitric oxide and the physiopathology of pain related to temporomandibular joint disorders and other conditions
  • Held many other professorial and administrative appointments while at UB, including professor of dental materials in the School of Dental Medicine; professor of biophysics, research professor of ophthalmology and surgery, executive director of the Health Care Instruments and Devices Institute, and associate dean for applied research in the School of Medicine 

Donald W. Rennie, MD

Chair of Physiology, 1973-80

  • Internationally recognized for his research on physiological responses to certain environments and exercise, metabolism, and sodium reabsorption in the kidneys, which spanned more than 80 scientific papers and presentations
  • Held many university leaderships roles in addition to department chair while at UB. Appointed vice president of research, vice provost for research and graduate education, and senior counselor to the president.
  • Served on the editorial boards of the American Journal of Physiology and Journal of Applied Physiology and was a member of the American Physiological Society, Sigma Xi, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Undersea Medical Society

Hermann Rahn, PhD

Chair of Physiology, 1956-73

  • Leading pulmonary physiology researcher who made key findings related to the respiratory exchange ratio, respiratory acclimatization and de-acclimatization to altitude, barometric pressure changes and gas exchange in the lungs, including the effects of nitrogen in the blood and tissues, and many other respiratory mechanics 
  • Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences. Served as president of the American Physiological Society. 
  • Remained active in teaching throughout tenure as department chair. Developed and taught a comprehensive course in human physiology to medical students.