New position created to implement VCU’s Life Sciences initiative

By Cari Brunelle
University News Services

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Commonwealth University has named Thomas F. Huff, Ph.D., VCU professor of microbiology and immunology and director of the Institutional Grants Program for VCU’s Massey Cancer Center, as its new interim vice provost for life sciences.

The new position was created to lead the development and implementation of life sciences education and scholarship on both VCU’s academic and Medical College of Virginia campuses. By integrating the sciences, VCU undergraduate, graduate and professional students will have increased involvement in research activities with mentoring opportunities with faculty on both campuses.

"Our students now will be able to benefit from the expertise of outstanding scientists on both the academic and medical campuses," said Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D., VCU president. "They will leave VCU with the training and hands-on experience that the growing life sciences industries demand."

One of only a few positions like it in the country, the vice provost will be responsible for: developing new degree programs in life sciences; creating basic research and clinical experiences for students on both campuses; establishing new research projects; and recruiting new faculty in the life sciences.

"One of our most important goals has been to create an interdisciplinary life sciences program and we are making a long-term commitment to ensure that life sciences courses, programs and research are integral components of VCU in the next decade," said Dr. Trani. "The development of these programs will help put VCU in the forefront of life sciences in the country."

Life sciences at VCU blends science, mathematics, medicine, technology and engineering. Several of the programs will be integrated in VCU’s new 132,000 square-foot Life Sciences Building, located at Harrison and Cary streets. It will include 44 laboratories, a three-season greenhouse, and lecture and classroom space. It will house VCU's Department of Biology and the Center for Environmental Studies, and also will support the Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Mathematical Sciences and Physics departments. The $28.1 million facility is scheduled for completion in summer 2001.

Huff, who will assume his new position on April 25, received his undergraduate degree in microbiology from Clemson University in 1974 and his doctorate in immunology from the University of Louisville in 1980. He was a National Institutes of Health postdoctoral research fellow in immunology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine from 1980-83 and remained on faculty there until coming to VCU in 1985. Huff teaches courses in immunology and immunobiology at VCU and has published numerous articles on his research, primarily in the area of mast cell differentiation and development. He also leads the immune mechanisms program at VCU’s Massey Cancer Center.