Indiana University School of Medicine will enhance its graduate and postdoctoral training programs with the appointment of a new associate dean for research and graduate studies, Tom Hurley, PhD, a top biochemistry researcher and experienced mentor who also earned his PhD at the school.
As the associate dean for research and graduate studies, Dr. Hurley, who began his new duties Sept. 1, will lead the IU School of Medicine’s Graduate Division, which helps support graduate students and postdoctoral fellows pursuing the careers in research that are crucial to advancing scientific discovery in the field of medicine.
Dr. Hurley said he welcomes the opportunity to sit down with current trainees and faculty mentors to discuss how they can work together to take graduate training at the school to “new heights.”
“A research university is simultaneously supportive of and supported by a vigorous, dedicated and diverse group of graduate students and postdoctoral trainees,” Dr. Hurley said. “My goal is to fully support both the mentors and trainees that are served by the Graduate Division and create a welcoming and engaging environment that allows the research at IU School of Medicine to thrive.”
The new role is an addition to Dr. Hurley’s current appointments as a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology and interim-chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at IU School of Medicine, a Chancellor’s Professor at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), and a leader of the IU Precision Health Initiative. He earned a PhD in biochemistry from IU School of Medicine and completed postdoctoral training at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine before joining the IU School of Medicine faculty in 1992.
Anantha Shekhar, MD, PhD, associate vice president of research and clinical affairs at IU and executive associate dean for research affairs at IU School of Medicine, said he looks forward to working with Dr. Hurley in his new role.
“I am thrilled that Tom will be leading such an important area of research and education in our school,” Dr. Shekhar said. “He brings a deep knowledge of IU and its research enterprise, as well as an excellent record of mentorship, to the position.”
Dr. Hurley succeeds Randy R. Brutkiewicz, PhD, who will transition to from his position as an associate dean to focus more on his own research efforts—particularly related to cancer immunology and neuroimmunology.
While serving as associate dean for research and graduate studies, Dr. Brutkiewicz helped position the school as a national leader in graduate and postgraduate training. He led the development of two new minors in science policy analysis and the business of biomedical science, chartered the school’s first Toastmasters International club, and recently launched a “Pathways” podcast to introduce students and postdocs to different career paths. Of all his accomplishments, Dr. Brutkiewicz said he is most proud of advancing opportunities for graduate students and postdocs to explore careers both inside and outside of academia.
Dr. Shekhar said: “I’d like to thank Randy for his vision, dedication and many accomplishments in support of IU School of Medicine.”