Will fill void left by unexpected death of Dr. Rubens Pamies
Dave Crouse, Ph.D., has been named interim vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean for graduate studies at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. His appointment was approved at the March 11 meeting of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.
Dr. Crouse’s appointment was necessitated by the untimely death of Rubens Pamies, M.D., who died Feb. 26 of an apparent heart attack while visiting his sister in Haiti. Dr. Pamies had been UNMC’s vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean for graduate studies for more than eight years.
"We are indebted to Dave for the tremendous loyalty he has shown to UNMC during this time of need," said UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., who noted that Dr. Crouse will fill the post until UNMC completes a national search for a new full-time vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean for graduate studies. Dr. Crouse is postponing his retirement to fill the void left by Dr. Pamies’ death.
This will mark Dr. Crouse’s second term as interim vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean for graduate studies as he held the position prior to Dr. Pamies’ appointment.
Dr. Crouse joined UNMC in 1977. He spent 20 years in traditional research and teaching before moving into a 14-year administrative career as associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and the executive associate dean for graduate studies. He also is a professor in the department of genetics, cell biology and anatomy.
A native of Canton, Ill., Dr. Crouse received his bachelor’s degree in physics and his master’s degree in zoology with a genetics emphasis from Western Illinois University. After serving two year in the U.S. Army, he returned to graduate school to complete his doctorate in radiobiology at the University of Iowa.
He then spent three years as a post-doc at the Argonne National Laboratory outside Chicago, participating in some of the first biological studies with high energy particles at the Fermilab outside Chicago.
Funded largely by the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Crouse is an expert in stem cell biology. His research has been related to the redevelopment of the immune and hematopoietic (blood) systems following bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.
Through world-class research and patient care, UNMC generates breakthroughs that make life better for people throughout Nebraska and beyond. Its education programs train more health professionals than any other institution in the state. Learn more at unmc.edu.