Matthew D. Barber, MD, MHS, Chair of Duke Ob/Gyn, announced today that beginning March 1, Geeta Swamy, MD, (left) will assume the role of Vice Chair for Research and Faculty Development in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In this dual role, Dr. Swamy will oversee strategic development and administration of the Department’s basic, translational and clinical research programs, as well as implement and oversee programs to support development and mentorship for all faculty at all levels.
Dr. Swamy has dedicated her career to advancing research in women’s health and to mentoring faculty and trainees. She is an outstanding leader and internationally recognized clinician-researcher, and I can think of no one more qualified to serve in this role. She is an expert and nationally-recognized leader in the field of maternal immunization and vaccination in pregnancy whose research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and others. She currently serves as the Co-Principal Investigator for the NIH-NIAID Vaccine Treatment and Evaluation (VTEU) and CDC-funded Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment, and has published over 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts. Dr. Swamy has been the Director of the Duke Perinatal Research Center since 2010.
Dr. Swamy has also been instrumental in developing and leading the School of Medicine’s Research Regulatory and Compliance initiatives, first as Chair of the IRB and then as Associate Dean for Clinical Research for Regulatory Oversight and Research Initiatives. This past fall, she was promoted to Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Research in the School of Medicine.
Dr. Swamy will be replacing Amy Murtha, MD, (right) who has done an outstanding job as Vice Chair of Research for the Department over the past 5 years. Dr. Murtha will be leaving Duke on May 1 to serve as Chair of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Murtha has been a valued member of the Department for over 20 years.