“Dr. Stevens has demonstrated his leadership abilities within the USA College of Medicine by successfully leading the Center for Lung Biology,” said Dr. Samuel Strada, dean of the USA College of Medicine. “His dedication and support to the mission of the College will continue in his new role as department chair.”
Dr. Stevens, who was trained as a physiologist and cell biologist, said this new role fits very well with his background and experiences. “Physiology and Cell Biology are disciplines that represent my research focus and scientific interests,” he said.
Previously a professor of pharmacology, Dr. Stevens said he was attracted to this role because it allows him to contribute to the development of new programs that address the evolving scope of the biomedical sciences.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to expand on existing scientific programs within the College of Medicine and to bring new areas of focus to the college,” Dr. Stevens said. “We will seek to develop the scientific infrastructure for innovative work that is competitive on a national scale."
Dr. Stevens joined the faculty at USA in 1996 and became the founding director of the Center for Lung Biology in 2002. He, together with a group of collaborative faculty with expertise in the area of lung biology and pathology, has made many significant research and educational accomplishments during his career including twice renewals of an NIH funded program project PO1 grant devoted to lung endothelial biology and an interdisciplinary T32 doctoral training grant in lung biology.
Dr. Stevens is also the recipient of an NIH MERIT Award, an award reserved for only a selective few individuals whose research has been deemed by the NIH to be especially meritorious, productive, and having great potential for continued and future accomplishment.
Dr. Stevens has been an active participant in the College’s Graduate Program in Basic Medical Sciences and a significant contributor to the education of medical students and training of fellows in pulmonary and critical care medicine. He has served on numerous national and international advisory boards and committees devoted to basic and translational research, training and clinical care activities in the field of lung biology and pathophysiology of pulmonary disease.
In his new role, Dr. Stevens replaces retiring chairs Dr. Thomas Lincoln and Dr. Glenn Wilson.
