Appointments: Pathology Chair, Research Dean, Development Leader

Chair of Pathology

Kevin Roth, MD, PhD, former chair of pathology at the University of Alabama at Birminghan, became chair of the P&S Department of Pathology & Cell Biology on Sept. 1. He also serves as pathologist-in-chief at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center.

Dr. Roth succeeds Michael Shelanski, MD, PhD, chair of pathology for 28 years.

Dr. Roth’s research focuses on neuronal cell death regulation and neuropathology, including attempts to define the molecular pathways regulating apoptotic and nonapoptotic neuronal cell death and neuron loss in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

After attending undergraduate school at the University of Michigan, he received MD and PhD degrees in neuroscience from Stanford University School of Medicine. He is president of the American Society for Investigative Pathology, chair of the Neural Oxidative Metabolism and Death Study Section, and editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Pathology.

Senior Vice Dean for Research 

Michael Shelanski, MD, PhD, former chair of pathology, was appointed senior vice dean for research at P&S, succeeding Robert Kass, PhD, who decided to return to his research as the Alumni Professor of Pharmacology.

Dr. Shelanski is the Henry Taub Professor of Alzheimer’s Disease Research and co-director of the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain. 

In his new role, Dr. Shelanski will lead the P&S research enterprise’s strategy, priorities, coordination, and support, working closely with chairs and directors to facilitate collaborations and advance novel research approaches.

During his tenure as vice dean for research, Dr. Kass oversaw an 11 percent growth in NIH awards over the past five years, despite a nearly 2 percent decrease in the NIH budget. He also oversaw a major renovation of the mouse facilities, including laboratories, a new mouse MRI center, and the implementation of the iLAB system to bring core resources into the digital age.

Development SVP

Lynne R. Roth became Columbia University Medical Center’s senior vice president for development July 1, returning to Columbia after spending 14 years in development at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. 

Ms. Roth succeeds Amelia Alverson, who became Columbia University’s executive vice president for university development and alumni relations.

Before returning to Columbia, Ms. Roth was vice president of philanthropy at the hospital. Her move to the hospital followed 12 years in medical center development. At the hospital, she played a critical role in securing lead gifts to achieve the hospital’s ambitious campaign goals.