Acclaimed Scientist Joins the Quinnipiac University School of Medicine

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Apr 28, 2011, 09:33 ET

HAMDEN, Conn., April 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An internationally acclaimed scientist and teacher has joined the staff of Quinnipiac University's School of Medicine.

Stephen Wikel, an expert in vector-borne diseases, assumed the position of chair of the Department of Basic Medical Science and senior associate dean for research. Wikel brings with him a more than 30-year career as a teacher, researcher and administrator.

"This was an amazing opportunity to be part of a truly unique undertaking," Wikel said. "We're doing something here that's going to have an impact on an untold number of lives."

In January 2010, Quinnipiac began the process of opening a medical school with an emphasis on primary care and global health. Quinnipiac plans to enroll its first medical school class by fall 2013 or 2014.

In his new role, Wikel is focusing on hiring faculty and on curriculum and course development.

Most recently Wikel was a professor of pathology and senior scientist in the Center for Tropical Diseases, Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas.

During his career, he has taught courses in pathobiology, immunology, medical microbiology, infectious diseases, parasitology, histology and hematology. He has also conducted cutting-edge research and been on faculty at several institutions including the University of South Dakota, University of North Dakota, Oklahoma State University and the University of Connecticut.

In addition, he has conducted research for the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and the National Institutes of Health.

Quinnipiac is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian institution located 90 minutes north of New York City and two hours from Boston. The university enrolls 5,900 full-time undergraduate and more than 2,000 graduate students in 52 undergraduate and more than 20 graduate programs of study in its School of Business, School of Communications, School of Education, School of Health Sciences, School of Law, School of Medicine and College of Arts and Sciences. Quinnipiac consistently ranks among the top regional universities in the North in U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Colleges issue. The 2009 issue of U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Colleges named Quinnipiac as the top up-and-coming school with master's programs in the Northern Region. Quinnipiac also is recognized in Princeton Review's The Best 373 Colleges. For more information, please visit www.quinnipiac.edu. Connect with Quinnipiac on Facebook at www.facebook.com/quinnipiacuniversity and follow Quinnipiac on Twitter @QuinnipiacU.

SOURCE Quinnipiac University