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John Slattery, PhD, vice dean for Research and Graduate Education and a professor of Pharmacology and Medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is retiring March 2022 after almost 35 years at UW Medicine.

Slattery has championed UW Medicine’s mission with his commitment to education and research. He has provided support for countless students, faculty and staff, developed outstanding programs for research and training, built collaborations and partnerships with other scientific institutions and advocated to move research with promising findings to clinical trials.

A leader in education and research

Slattery began his teaching career in 1978 as an assistant professor of Pharmaceutics at UW. He’s been teaching and leading students in disciplines like anesthesiology, pharmacology and medicine since then. His passion, dedication and years of experience in education and research made him a perfect fit for vice dean.

Slattery has led the Office of Research and Graduate Education as vice dean since 2005. His role oversees research programs and operations at the School of Medicine, including interactions with affiliated institutions such as Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Seattle Children’s. The office also oversees the training of scientists within the School of Medicine, including graduate students and post-docs. 

“Under John Slattery’s leadership, UW Medicine has created an internationally renowned research community where faculty, trainees and staff from diverse backgrounds work collaboratively to advance biomedical science,” says Paul Ramsey, MD, CEO of UW Medicine. “He has also been instrumental in facilitating clinical trials to develop new treatments for many different diseases and to provide hope for better health to people around the world.”

Leaning into retirement

After an impressive 40-plus years in research and education and being a leader through the COVID-19 pandemic, Slattery is ready to make retirement his next step.

Rachel Wong, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Biological Structure, will be leading the search for the next vice dean of Research and Graduate Education.

“We are looking for a candidate who is deeply dedicated to graduate education and training; a visionary who will build on John’s work to drive and foster a diverse, collaborative, boundless and transformative biomedical research environment,” says Wong.

Learn more about the position and application process.