J. Victor Garcia-Martinez, Ph.D., department chair and professor in the UAB Department of Microbiology, and Frances Lund, Ph.D., professor in the UAB Department of Microbiology and director of the UAB Immunology Institute, were recently recognized by Anupam Agarwal, M.D., Ph.D., dean of the Heersink School of Medicine, as newly appointed endowed chairs.

Garcia-Martinez and Lund were recognized among other Heersink School of Medicine faculty during a reception on April 17, 2024.

Garcia-Martinez was named Charles H. McCauley Endowed Chair in Microbiology for the Department of Microbiology. Lund was named Endowed Chair in Immunology for the Department of Microbiology.

“It is an honor and a privilege to serve as the fourth recipient of the McCauley Endowed Chair in Microbiology,” Garcia-Martinez said. “Previous recipients of this award have served as chairs of the Department of Microbiology with great distinction. It is my objective to fulfill the goals and aspirations of all the members of the department and to support them in their search for new approaches to treat and prevent disease.”

Lund also expressed her sentiments on the honor.

“I am honored to be the first recipient of this new endowed chair, which is associated with the Heersink School of Medicine Immunology Institute,” she said. “I am very grateful to the Heersink School of Medicine for their commitment to building on UAB’s solid foundation as one of the top 60 immunology research programs in the world – as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.”

Twice a year, Dean Agarwal recognizes recent appointees of endowed chairs and professorships within the school.

Read the comprehensive list of spring 2024 endowed chair honorees.