J. David Sweatt, Ph.D., the Evelyn F. McKnight Endowed Chairman of the Department of Neurobiology and the director of the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, has been appointed interim director of the UAB Civitan International Research Center (CIRC), effective June 1.Sweatt will serve as director until the search for a permanent director is complete. The current CIRC director, Harald Sontheimer, Ph.D., recently accepted a position to lead a new neuroscience program at Virginia Tech.
“We anticipate a smooth transition during the interim period and no loss of the remarkable momentum that Harry has generated as director over the past years,” said Selwyn M. Vickers, M.D., F.A.C.S., senior vice president for Medicine and dean of the School of Medicine.
The Civitan International Research Center is an interdisciplinary center focusing on the development of the mind-brain to improve the quality of life in individuals and families affected by intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Sweatt came to UAB in 2006 to lead the Department of Neurobiology. He holds secondary appointments in the Departments of Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology, Genetics and Psychology.
“I congratulate Harry Sontheimer concerning his exceptional new opportunity at Virginia Tech, and thank him for his exemplary decade of leadership of the Civitan International Research Center. I also thank Dean Vickers and Vice President (Richard) Marchase for affording me the opportunity to serve in the interim director’s position for the CIRC,” Sweatt said. “This is a very exciting time for the CIRC. It is clear that the CIRC is perfectly positioned for continued national and international leadership and prominence in intellectual disabilities research and treatment.”