The School of Medicine has announced the appointment of A. Paula Monaghan-Nichols, Ph.D., as the new associate dean of research. She will serve as a professor in the school’s Department of Basic Medical Science.
Dr. Nichols is an expert in the fields of genetics and neurobiology and has served on the faculty of the Department of Neurobiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She has been the director of courses in human genetics and neurobiology and has lectured in many medical and graduate courses. Dr. Nichols served as the vice chair of that school’s curriculum committee and has received numerous teaching and research achievement awards for teaching and mentoring graduate and medical students.
“The School of Medicine is fortunate to have recruited a scientist and educator with Dr. Nichols’ vast experience,” said Steven Kanter, M.D., School of Medicine dean. “We look forward to her leadership and expertise in growing our existing programs and in developing new areas of research strength.”
Before joining the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Nichols was a post-doctoral fellow, research associate and staff scientist at the German Cancer Research Centre in Heidelberg, Germany. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie the development of the nervous system and form the basis of emotion and cognition.
Dr. Nichols earned her undergraduate degree in genetics at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. She received a Ph.D. in genetic engineering and molecular biology and did a post-graduate fellowship in molecular genetics and development at the Medical Research Council in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Dr. Nichols’ appointment is effective on August 1.
