Dean's Message - February 12, 2024

Dear Members of the GSBS Community,

Here we are in February, and the days are getting longer. Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow, which suggests an early spring, although the scientific accuracy of this prediction model is limited.

It’s also Black History Month. The movement to affirm and celebrate Black history in America began in Chicago in 1915, but only became institutionalized in 1976. To celebrate this month, GSBS has partnered with CIMAR and Micro DEI to sponsor a visit from Dr. Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir, Assistant Professor of Clinical Pharmacy at UCSD, on February 29 from 12-1. She will give a talk entitled “The Intersection of Racism, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Vaccine Equity.” We look forward to welcoming Dr. Abdul-Mutakabbir and hearing her talk. I hope to see many of you there.

February also marks the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year: the year of the wood dragon. In Chinese folklore, every year is associated with one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, in conjunction with one of the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water). The wood dragon is creative and visionary, and the year is expected to be one of innovation and vision.

Applications are now open for the Krinsky Excellence in Teaching Award Schimmel Fellowship Awards, and GSBS Student Enrichment Fund Travel Awards.

By the time you read this, Lunar New Year’s Day and Super Bowl Sunday will have come and gone. Whether you celebrate the New Year, rooted for the Chiefs, the 49ers, Taylor Swift, or did your best to avoid football, I hope you all had the opportunity to gather with those important to you. I like to tell prospective students that Tufts GSBS is distinguished by the strength of our community, and I thank you all for demonstrating that this is true.

Michael Chin, MD, PhD, Dean ad interim