Reappointment of J. Kevin Foskett, PhD, as Chair of the Department of Physiology
July 23, 2019
To:Penn Medicine Faculty, Students, and Staff
From:J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD
Executive Vice President, University of Pennsylvania for the Health System
Dean, Perelman School of Medicine
Jonathan A. Epstein, MD
Executive Vice Dean and Chief Scientific Officer
We are pleased to announce the reappointment of Dr. Kevin Foskett for a second six-year term as Chair of the Department of Physiology. The reappointment follows a review process that included an extensive self-study, internal committee review, and an external review by three leaders in the field.
The Department is highly regarded internationally for discoveries at the forefront of modern physiology. Its faculty are some of the most prominent scientists in their fields, with particular strength in cytoskeleton and motor protein mechanics and ion channel physiology.
During his first term as chair, Dr. Foskett’s inclusive leadership style has fostered a vital, collaborative culture within the Department, extending to faculty, trainees and staff.
Extramural support of the Department’s research program is robust. Targeted recruitments over the past five years have brought valuable new approaches and perspectives, including expertise in super-resolution microscopy, cardiovascular biology, and metabolism. Dr. Foskett has also been effective at retaining senior faculty and implementing a highly successfull mentoring program for junior faculty.
Under Dr. Foskett’s leadership, the Department has established a highly supportive learning environment and provides exceptional training, career guidance, and mentorship to an outstanding group of doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows.
The Department of Physiology is well positioned for even greater impact in the years ahead. We look forward to working with Dr. Foskett to enhance the Department’s excellence and stature, and ask that you join us in congratulating him on his reappointment.