The John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) extends its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Mariana Gerschenson, our first Associate Dean for Research, as she steps down after a transformative 12-year tenure in the Dean’s Office. Gerschenson’s pioneering work has left an indelible
mark on JABSOM’s research and academic programs, elevating the school’s impact and reputation within the University of Hawaiʻi and the broader scientific community.
A Legacy of Leadership
Joining the Dean’s Office in 2012, Gerschenson initially served as Director of Graduate Education (2012-2017) and Director of Research (2013-2017) before becoming Associate Dean for Research in 2018. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping JABSOM’s strategic vision, enhancing research programs, and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.
Her responsibilities have included facilitating research initiatives across JABSOM’s basic and clinical sciences, supporting faculty, staff, and students, and working with external partners like the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, the College of Engineering, and local hospitals such as The Queen’s Health System, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, and Kuakini Medical Center.
Gerschenson also oversaw several departments, including the Foundational Sciences, Tropical Medicine (TRMD), Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB), Developmental and Reproductive Biology (DRB), and Quantitative Health Sciences (QHS). She fostered a cohesive, interdisciplinary approach to research by meeting regularly with these teams for strategic planning, promoting collaboration, and organizing symposia in 2013, 2018, and 2020 to discuss and align on research goals.
Under her leadership, JABSOM saw a 28% increase in research awards, from $43.7 million in 2018 to over $60 million in 2024. This figure excludes purchase orders and internal UH Foundation transfers, highlighting the scale of external support her efforts have secured.
Building Research Programs and Supporting Talent
Among Gerschenson’s many achievements is her dedication to recruiting and mentoring faculty. She played an instrumental role in recruiting three tenure-track Assistant Professors and establishing a cohesive Associate Dean for Research team, which includes an Associate Director, Assistant Director, and Medical Student Research Program leadership. She also prioritized the development of JABSOM’s graduate programs, overseeing graduate student orientation, biannual town halls, and the school’s graduate program review in 2016 and 2023. Through her guidance, numerous graduate students and young faculty have benefited from her mentorship, contributing to a more robust academic pipeline in cell and molecular biology and diabetes research.
Establishing the Diabetes Research Center (DRC)
Perhaps one of Gerschenson’s most notable achievements is her work establishing the
Diabetes Research Center (DRC), a multidisciplinary center recognized by President David
Lassner for excellence in diabetes research. Through the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-
funded COBRE grant awarded in 2017, she spearheaded the DRC, bringing together JABSOM,
the UH Cancer Center, and the College of Engineering to create Hawai‘i’s first unified hub for
mechanistic diabetes research.
The DRC’s achievements include:
Collaborative Projects
The DRC has united over 20 faculty members, including Research Project Leaders (RPLs) and Pilot Project Leaders (PPLs) from diverse fields. It has published 225 peer-reviewed papers and secured over $41 million in research funding.
Community Outreach
Gerschenson raised public awareness of diabetes research, organizing local ADA presentations, media appearances, and monthly scientific seminars for DRC members. She fostered connections with national leaders through the Vanderbilt University National Virtual Diabetes Research Center Seminar Series, promoting Hawai‘i’s contributions to the field.
Support for Underrepresented Groups
Gerschenson championed studies on diabetes in Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, addressing critical health disparities and aligning with JABSOM’s mission to serve Hawai‘i’s communities. Her efforts led to three administrative supplements from the NIH for equipment and research on gestational diabetes in these populations.
Gerschenson’s Research Achievements
Throughout her tenure, Gerschenson served as a role model in research. She has published
28 peer-reviewed papers as Associate Dean and secured over $13.8 million in funding across 37 research and non-research grants. Her career contributions total more than $25 million, with an additional $10 million pending for her NIH COBRE-Diabetes grant. Recognized as one of UH’s Top Fifty Principal Investigators and ranked among the top 2-4% of NIH-funded researchers, her research focuses on infectious diseases, virology, immunology, and the mitochondrial etiology of HIV-related complications and long COVID.
Colleagues Reflect on Her Impact
Faculty and colleagues have expressed deep gratitude for Gerschenson’s contributions. Dr.
Karen Thompson, Chair of Pathology, commended her leadership in bridging clinical and basic
sciences. At the same time, Cancer Center Director Dr. Naoto Ueno praised her dedication and
looks forward to future collaborations. Laura Lyons, Vice Provost for Academic Excellence,
thanked Gerschenson for her commitment to advancing graduate and medical education at
JABSOM.
A Continuing Legacy
As Gerschenson transitions back to her role as Professor in the Department of Cell and
Molecular Biology, her contributions will continue to shape JABSOM’s research and academic
landscape for years. We extend our deepest thanks to Gerschenson for her outstanding
leadership, visionary research, and commitment to JABSOM’s mission, and we look forward to
her ongoing contributions to our medical school community.
