Search panel named for pharmacy dean

Published December 1, 2020

The search for the next dean of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences has begun with the appointment of a search committee chaired by Joseph J. Zambon, dean of the School of Dental Medicine.

The search is seeking a successor to James M. O’Donnell, who is stepping down as dean at the end of the 2020-21 academic year. He will return to a UB faculty role as professor of pharmaceutical sciences, and pharmacology and toxicology.

The search committee, appointed by Provost A. Scott Weber and Michael E. Cain, vice president for health sciences and dean of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, includes faculty from the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, as well as other UB and community members with relevant professional interests and expertise.

In addition to Zambon, the search committee includes:

  • Edward M. Bednarczyk, clinical associate professor, Pharmacy Practice.
  • Javier G. Blanco, professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences.
  • R. Lorraine Collins, professor, Community Health and Health Behavior, and associate dean for research, School of Public Health and Health Professions.
  • Carol Gloff, Boldly Buffalo campaign chair, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and principal and owner, Carol Gloff & Associates.
  • William J. Jusko, SUNY Distinguished Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences.
  • Marilyn E. Morris, SUNY Distinguished Professor and chair, Pharmaceutical Sciences.
  • Janet R. Morrow, UB Distinguished Professor and Larkin Professor, Chemistry.
  • Pablo M. Paez, associate professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology.
  • William A. Prescott, clinical professor and chair, Pharmacy Practice.
  • Kathleen M. Tornatore, professor, Pharmacy Practice.
  • Leigh T. Yates, assistant dean and senior director of development, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
  • Zakiya Rhodie, Doctor of Pharmacy/Master in Public Health student.

UB also has hired the consulting firm Russell Reynolds Associates to assist with the search. Jett Pihakis, the principal from the firm working on the search, has experience in recruiting leaders to UB at the cabinet, decanal and department chair levels.

The search committee will begin its work this month, with a goal of making an appointment in the spring semester.

Throughout the coming months, Zambon will update the university community regarding the committee’s progress. Information will also be available on the search website.