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Dimitrios Karamichos, PhD, has been appointed interim dean of The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth School of Biomedical Sciences, effective Sept. 15, 2023. 

Karamichos has served as executive director and endowed chair of the North Texas Eye Research Institute at HSC since 2022. He is a tenured professor with faculty appointments in the SBS’s Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience and the College of Pharmacy’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Karamichos will continue in these roles during his time as interim dean.

Prior to joining HSC, Karamichos was associate director of research at the Neuroscience Center and director of strategic partnerships in the Graduate College at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. He held the W. Stanley Muenzler, MD, Endowed Professorship in Corneal Disease in the Department of Ophthalmology/ Dean McGee Eye Institute at OUHSC. 

Karamichos’ appointment was announced on Aug. 28 by HSC Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Charles Taylor. 

“Dr. Karamichos is a renowned scientist, educator and innovator who has made tremendous contributions to the corneal biology field,” Taylor said.  

“His enthusiasm to lead the School of Biomedical Sciences and his proven service to HSC’s overarching mission are commendable. I know he will foster a collaborative environment were success and excellence will flourish.” 

With a focus on Keratoconus disease, Karamichos’ research aims to discover, develop, and deliver novel therapies for the treatment of corneal trauma, diseases and dystrophies. He also investigates the role of sphingolipids in corneal wound healing, diabetic keratopathy and the application of bioengineering for corneal transplantation. 

Karamichos earned his BEng in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the Manchester Metropolitan University in Manchester, England.  He completed his MSc at Imperial College at the University of London with a focus on tissue engineering, imaging modalities and radiology. In 2006, he obtained his PhD in Tissue Repair and Engineering from University College London at the University of London. After earning his PhD, he completed postdoctoral fellowships with UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and Schepens Eye Research Institute at Harvard Medical School in Boston. 

“I am deeply honored to join the School of Biomedical Sciences as its interim dean,” Karamichos said.

“For 30 years, SBS has built a strong reputation by combining academic and research excellence with a compelling mission to tackle major health issues and prepare new generations of leaders. I look forward to working with the SBS team to advance our vision and elevate our position as a premier school of biomedical sciences.” 

Karamichos succeeds Dr. Michael Mathis, who served as dean since 2019. Mathis will continue his research and teaching at HSC as a professor in the SBS Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics.

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