HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Gary O. Rankin, Ph.D., has been named vice dean for research at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, announced David Gozal, M.D., M.B.A., Ph.D. (Hon), vice president for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine.    

“Dr. Rankin is a respected leader in biomedical research and brings nearly five decades of experience at Marshall University to his new role,” Gozal said. “His extensive background in pharmacology and toxicology, along with his longstanding commitment to advancing medical discovery and education, make him exceptionally well-positioned to lead the school’s research enterprise. His leadership, institutional knowledge and passion for interdisciplinary collaboration will be instrumental in shaping the future of research at Marshall.” 

As vice dean for research, Rankin will foster interdisciplinary collaborations across departments and the overall university community, expanding funding opportunities and supporting faculty and student research endeavors. His role will bridge activities in clinical, translational, basic science and biomedical research, championing the growth of faculty, staff and student-led research initiatives in these core areas. 

Rankin has been an integral part of Marshall University since 1978, teaching every medical school class since its founding and shaping the education of more than 2,200 physicians and scientists. A respected pharmacologist and toxicologist, Rankin has published more than 190 research papers, mentored over 75 students, and has served for 21 years as principal investigator for the West Virginia IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (WV-INBRE), which has secured more than $92 million in research funding to date. He will continue to chair the Department of Biomedical Sciences while a national search is conducted for his successor. 

Rankin’s leadership has had a lasting impact on medical education and research across West Virginia, earning him recognition in the 2025 WV Executive Health Care Hall of Fame. 

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Date Posted: Friday, April 18, 2025