Anderson to Step Down as UB Pharmacy Dean

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Wayne K. Anderson, dean of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, has announced he is stepping down as dean after nearly 10 years in the position and returning to the faculty as a researcher and educator.

Anderson has agreed to continue as dean until a successor is in place.

David L. Dunn, UB vice president for health sciences, said a national search will be conducted to identify Anderson's successor.

"I would like to extend my thanks and utmost appreciation to Dr. Anderson for his leadership and service to the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and wish him the best as he returns to his academic roots," Dunn said.

Dunn noted that during his tenure as dean, Anderson put performance- and incentive-based financial systems in place in the pharmacy school, oversaw significant faculty growth and ensured the ongoing accreditation of the school and its professional programs through two review cycles by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.

Anderson also spearheaded an ongoing initiative to establish a state-of-the-art facility for the pharmacy school "via synergistic strong partnerships he has created with both public institutions, including SUNY and New York State, the private sector and UB alumni," Dunn said. "Fortunately for UB, Dr. Anderson has agreed to continue his outstanding work with this project, which should come to fruition in 2009-10, and other important projects during the transition period."

Satish K. Tripathi, UB provost and executive vice president, also praised Anderson.

"Throughout the past three years, I have enjoyed working with Wayne, and because of his stedfast leadership, the school has become nationally recognized for pharmaceutical research and education," Tripathi said. "I wish Dr. Anderson continued success as he resumes his important work as teacher and scientist."

UB President John B. Simpson noted that Anderson "has played a tremendously important role in the advancement of our School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences -- and our larger university -- throughout his long tenure at UB, not only through his leadership as dean, but also through his dedicated service to our entire academic community."

"I have appreciated his counsel and expertise since the beginning of my own tenure at UB, and indeed, all of us have been fortunate to have the benefit of Dr. Anderson's leadership and experience over the years," Simpson added. "As he prepares to resume his faculty duties on a full-time basis, his wealth of knowledge and experience will be a tremendous resource to generations of faculty and students to come."

A UB faculty member since 1968, Anderson was appointed dean in November 1997 after serving as dean for nearly two years on an interim basis.

He has done pioneering research into the design, synthesis and development of anti-cancer and anti-HIV agents, and in the study of enzyme inhibitors.

Prior to becoming dean, his research was funded continuously by the National Institutes of Health for more than 25 years, resulting in more than 100 publications.

An accomplished educator as well as researcher, Anderson has mentored nearly 120 undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, 39 of whom received doctoral degrees under his supervision.

He holds a bachelor's degree in pharmacy and a master's degree in pharmaceutical chemistry from the University of Manitoba and a doctorate in pharmaceutical chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.