Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology
In March 2012, the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents voted to accept a gift of $2.3 million designated exclusively for establishing the Department of Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology as part of the School of Pharmacy. The new department, as also approved by the regents, is housed on the Abilene campus and began operating Sept. 1.
This action compliments an earlier action by the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) that transferred all TTUHSC-wide administrative duties and the associated coursework for the M.S. in biotechnology degree program to the Abilene campus. At that time, Dr. Doug Stocco, executive vice president for research and GSBS dean, selected Dr. Jon Weidanz to be the director for the biotechnology graduate program and associate dean for the GSBS on the Abilene campus.
The Department of Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology employs existing Immunotherapeutic Research Center faculty. Founding faculty members include Drs. Irene La-Beck, Magdalena Karbowniczek, Mark Lyte, Maciej Markiewski, Weidanz and Dr. Laurence Wood. A new faculty line will be added each year through fiscal year 2016 and will be funded by the gift and TTUHSC.
The Department of Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology has curricular responsibilities for the biotechnology, immunology, microbiology, pathology and pathophysiology disciplines.