David Dietz Appointed as New Dean of Pharmacy at the University of Kansas: What This Means for Students and Faculty

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas has appointed David Dietz as the new dean of the School of Pharmacy, effective August 1. Dietz currently serves as a professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in Buffalo.

Barbara A. Bichelmeyer, provost of KU, praised Dietz’s track record in research and innovation. She believes he will be a transformative leader for the pharmacy school: “David will advance our mission of educating leaders, building healthy communities, and making discoveries that change the world.”

As dean, Dietz’s responsibilities will include managing faculty and staff, overseeing budgets, and fostering alumni connections. He aims to enhance research and educational programs, promoting pharmacological studies at various levels. This role will also allow him to connect the pharmacy school with the broader KU Medical Center and health system.

Dietz expressed his enthusiasm for the position: “This is a fantastic opportunity to build on the school’s accomplishments. I want to empower faculty, staff, and students to excel and strengthen our connections with communities across the globe.”

He takes over from Barbara Timmermann, who has been the interim dean since May 2024. Timmermann, a distinguished professor of Medicinal Chemistry, had been crucial during this transition, helping sustain the school’s momentum.

His experience at Buffalo has been extensive. He has overseen multiple undergraduate and graduate programs, established a neuroscience undergraduate major, and played a key role in designing a medical school curriculum that tackles current healthcare challenges. His research focuses on how brain changes can lead to drug addiction, supported by several National Institutes of Health grants.

Dietz has received recognition as a UB Exceptional Scholar, both as a Young Investigator in 2015 and for Sustained Achievement in 2023. He is actively involved in several professional organizations, including the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology and the Society for Neuroscience.

His educational background includes a doctorate in neuroscience from Florida State University and a bachelor’s in psychology from Rutgers University. He also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.

Dietz is eager to contribute to the KU community, expressing excitement about enhancing the school’s global reputation. The School of Pharmacy aims to provide outstanding educational opportunities and drive innovations in pharmaceutical practices while promoting patient-centered care.

As the pharmacy field rapidly evolves, having a proactive leader like Dietz could be key to navigating future challenges, not only in education but also in research and community engagement. His experience suggests he may foster collaborations that bridge the gap between research and practical applications, ultimately benefiting the healthcare landscape.

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