Pitt Names New University Honors College Dean

PITTSBURGH—Brian A. Primack has been named the Bernice L. and Morton S. Lerner Chair and dean of the University of Pittsburgh’s University Honors College. Currently, he is a scholarly researcher and the Leo H. Criep Endowed Chair in Patient Care in Pitt’s School of Medicine. Primack’s deanship begins on July 1, 2017.

Succeeding Edward M. Stricker, Primack will be the third dean of Pitt’s University Honors College. Founding dean G. Alec Stewart held the position from the college’s inception in 1986 until his death in 2010.

“As dean, Brian’s multidisciplinary dexterity — coupled with his commitment to collaborating and leading — will ensure that our Honors College continues to serve as a defining force in our University’s mission to leverage new knowledge for society’s gain,” said Pitt Chancellor Patrick Gallagher.

Pitt Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor Patricia E. Beeson said, “Under Dr. Primack’s leadership, I am confident that the University Honors College will continue to serve as the center of gravity for our most academically engaged and curious undergraduate students and as a hub of intellectual activity for our entire university community. His broad and inclusive vision is well-matched to our aspirations for the UHC and the University.”

A Pitt faculty member since 2002, Primack is a professor of medicine, pediatrics and clinical and translational science in Pitt’s School of Medicine. He also is an assistant vice chancellor for research on health and society in the University’s schools of the health sciences.

Prior to arriving at Pitt, Primack attained a wealth of professional experiences that have informed his teaching and mentoring career. Among other pursuits, he has previously served as the dean of students for a residential summer program for highly talented secondary school students at Wellesley College and an instructor at the American International School of Niamey in Niger. An experienced patient care provider, he has practiced medicine at various UPMC hospitals, the Matilda H. Theiss Health Center and the student health services centers at both Pitt and Carnegie Mellon University.

An interdisciplinary scholar and researcher, Primack’s academic interests range a broad spectrum of areas, from media messaging and community engagement to clinical medicine and public health. His most recent work has investigated complex relationships between media exposures and health outcomes. To further explore concepts in this area, Primack founded Pitt’s Center for Research on Media, Technology, and Health in 2012.

Primack’s work and expertise have been cited in such international news outlets as The New York Times, BBC News, National Public Radio, Reuters, U.S. News & World Report and The Washington Post. He has authored or coauthored more than 90 peer-reviewed research articles in a diverse range of academic publications.

Throughout his career, Primack has been recognized for research, teaching and overall achievement. These honors have included the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Physician Faculty Scholar award, the Early Career Investigator Award from the Society of Behavioral Medicine and the New Investigator Award from the Society for Adolescent Medicine.

Primack was awarded Pitt’s Institute for Clinical Research Education’s 2016 Distinguished Alumnus Award in Clinical Research and designated a University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute Junior Research Scholar in 2010. He also received the University of Pittsburgh Provost’s Innovation in Education Award in 2005 and has been a two-time winner of Pitt’s Outstanding Medical Student Research Mentor Award.

A Pitt alumnus, Primack earned a Master of Science and a PhD degree in clinical and translational science in 2008 and 2011, respectively. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and mathematics at Yale University, where he was selected as a graduation speaker, in 1991. He earned a Master of Education degree in human development, psychology and education at Harvard University in 1993 as well as a Doctor of Medicine degree at Emory University in 1999. Primack completed the Family Medicine Residency Program at UPMC St. Margaret in 2002.

###

6/5/17/amm/jw/klf/jm