November 17, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Kevin A. Roth, M.D., Ph.D., chairman of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pathology, has been named to the Robert and Ruth Anderson Endowed Chair in Pathology. The appointment was approved by the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees.

Roth is a renowned researcher on the regulation of neuronal cell death. This past year, he was named the founding director of the UAB Comprehensive Neuroscience Center, an interdisciplinary collaboration for neuroscience research, clinical care and education.

"Pathology relies heavily on cross-discipline expertise, partnerships, and our faculty along with Dr. Roth, have been leaders in that regard," said Jay McDonald, M.D., director of the UAB Center for Metabolic Bone Disease and the immediate past pathology chair. "The department and the Anderson endowment are in great hands."

Roth earned his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from Stanford University School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Washington University in St. Louis and joined its faculty as a professor of pathology in the neuropathology division.

He came to UAB in 2002 as director of the division of neuropathology. In addition to his neuroscience center directorship, Roth serves as a senior scientist in multiple UAB research centers.

The endowed position is named for the Andersons, parents of Peter G. Anderson, D.V.M., Ph.D, a UAB professor of pathology. The younger Anderson serves as director of undergraduate pathology education at UAB and is the coordinator of the pre-clerkship phase of the School of Medicine curriculum.