Leadership Announcements

Joseph Heitman, MD, PhD, James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology (MGM), will step down as chair of the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology on August 31, 2026, after 17 years of dedicated leadership.

Heidi T. Jacobe, MD, MSCS, will join Duke Health as chair of the Department of Dermatology, effective December 1, 2026.

After 13 years of outstanding leadership, Erik K. Paulson, MD, FACR, Robert J. Reeves Distinguished Professor of Radiology, will step down as chair of the Department of Radiology on March 31, 2027.

SriniVas Sadda, MD, FARVO, will join Duke Health as chair of the Department of Ophthalmology effective November 10, 2026.

Dr. Antiel is a nationally recognized scholar whose work spans pediatric medical ethics and medical humanities.

Beth A. Sullivan, PhD, has been appointed vice dean for basic and preclinical science at Duke University School of Medicine, effective July 1, 2026.

After more than a decade of exceptional service, John F. Rawls, PhD, will step down as director of the Duke Microbiome Center effective June 30, 2026, and Julia Oh, PhD, will assume the role beginning July 1, 2026.

After nearly four decades, Barton Haynes, MD, has decided to step down as director of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute.

After a decade of service, Jeffrey P. Baker, MD, PhD, will step down as director of the Trent Center for Bioethics, Humanities, and History of Medicine, effective June 30, 2026.

I am pleased to announce that Christopher Lindsell, PhD, has been appointed vice dean for Data Science and AI for the Duke University School of Medicine, effective April 1, 2026.