After serving with great distinction and dedication since 2012 as the dean of the College of Graduate Health Sciences, effective today, esteemed leader and colleague Donald Thomason, PhD, returns to his passion and to direct activities in teaching and mentoring students.
Since becoming a faculty member at UT Health Science Center in the Department of Physiology in the College of Medicine in 1990, Dr. Thomason recognized the commitment to graduate student training that already existed at the university. When he took the helm as the dean of the College of Graduate Health Sciences, he dedicated himself to taking the college to new heights. The college has made great strides in its academic and scientific stature under Dr. Thomason’s leadership. Among the noteworthy accomplishments are:
- Enrollment has steadily increased.
- Three certificates have been added, and tracts within existing programs have been expanded.
- The collaboration with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has grown, offering significant research opportunities for students and trainees.
- Additional departments and faculty were added.
- The Postdoctoral Office was brought under the administration of the college, resulting in more coordinated and supportive services to postdoctoral fellows and their faculty members.
- Multiple initiatives were added by Dr. Thomason and the team to create an innovative and inspirational environment for attracting students into research careers and for supporting their professional growth. Chief among these innovations are a highly impactful Summer Research Scholars Program, independent project funding, multiple career development activities, internships in multiple areas of research, the Three-Minute Thesis Competition, and entrepreneurship exposure opportunities.
Strategically, Dr. Thomason also led efforts to collaborate with institutions overseas to bring graduate students to UT Health Science Center to further their scientific training.
Additionally, the college has been committed not only to training scientists but helping them succeed in their future careers. Alumni have been enlisted to help students build transferrable skills for the workplace.
Dr. Thomason has ensured that graduate students have exposure to alumni from many professional careers who provide guidance and mentorship. This in turn has cultivated greater engagement among alumni, as well as pride in the progress of the college under Dr. Thomason’s leadership.
He has also been a tireless advocate for philanthropic scholarships, and fundraising has reached an unprecedented high under his leadership.
Dr. Thomason has dedicated his entire academic career to UT Health Science Center. He joined the faculty in 1990 following a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. He is a native of Richland, Washington, and obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and his doctorate at the University of California, Irvine.
During his career as an accomplished muscle physiologist at UT Health Science Center, Dr. Thomason has conducted impactful research. Over a highly productive career in research and in mentorship of graduate students, Dr. Thomason has served the university as an assistant professor, associate professor, and professor of physiology, associate dean of the College of Graduate Health Sciences, executive director of the Molecular Resource Center of Excellence, interim chair for the Department of Physiology, and Graduate Health Sciences dean since 2012.
In the transition, Vice Chancellor for Research Jessica Snowden, MD, will assume the additional role of interim dean for the college. “Dr. Snowden’s interim appointment is strategic, especially given the current complexities of federal funding that impact graduate student training,” said Cindy Russell, PhD, vice chancellor for Academic, Faculty, and Student Affairs. “Dr. Snowden is also passionate about training junior colleagues, and she is an excellent role model and mentor.”
“Dr. Thomason’s many contributions, especially those benefiting graduate students and our communities, have been substantial, enduring, and much appreciated,” said Chancellor Peter Buckley, MD. “The faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the College of Graduate Health Sciences owe a great deal to Dr. Thomason.
“Please join me in thanking our colleague and friend, Don, for his outstanding leadership and wishing him well as he enters this next phase of his stellar career of commitment to UT Health Science Center and to our graduate students.”