In Memoriam: Perry M. Hogan, PhD

Hogan served the Jacobs School for more than five decades, beginning in the late 1960s. He led the Department of Physiology and Biophysics as interim chair from 2011 to 2015, and then as chair from 2015 to 2020.

During these years, he helped shape the department’s research direction, mentored junior faculty, and fostered a highly collaborative environment.

“Dr. Hogan was a beloved educator, scientist and leader. His influence on the Jacobs School spans generations of students, trainees and colleagues,” said Allison Brashear, MD, MBA, UB’s vice president for health sciences and dean of the Jacobs School.

Hogan’s research contributed significantly to our understanding of the electrophysiologic properties of cardiac muscle in both normal and diseased states. His work used tools such as elevated hydrostatic pressure to investigate muscle contraction and intracellular calcium signaling.

Throughout his career, Hogan worked to elevate UB’s national reputation through his engagement with the American Physiological Society and his connections to the Laboratory of Aviation and Naval Physiology, strengthening the Jacobs School’s presence within the broader scientific community.

Last year, Hogan delivered the Jacobs School’s annual Hermann Rahn Memorial Lecture, named for the school’s founding chair of physiology. “Even in recent years, Dr. Hogan remained closely connected to our community, returning in 2025 to deliver that lecture and reflect on a career marked by curiosity, rigor, and a profound commitment to mentoring others,” Brashear said.  

Hogan earned his doctorate in physiology from the University of Wisconsin in 1968 and went on to build a distinguished career in research, teaching and academic leadership at UB.

A celebration of Hogan’s life will take place on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Harris Hill Chapel, 8440 Main St., Williamsville, NY 14221.