Barbara Bass

Dr. Sich received his Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1977 from Davidson College, his Master of Science and a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 1981 and 1983 respectively. He began his career on the faculty of predominantly undergraduate institutions, teaching courses for science and non-science majors... , participated in the educational programs of health professions programs, established an independent research program, and was awarded tenure at Youngstown State University in 1990. Before joining the George Washington University, Dr. Sich worked in a variety of institutions including the NIH, Washington University at Saint Louis, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and Maryville University. He was hired as an associate professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine (MITM) in June 2010 and appointed Executive Director of Faculty Affairs in 2013, a role in which he served until his retirement in 2019. Dr. Sich brought with him a thorough understanding of the challenges facing faculty and trainees in the research university setting. His experience as a faculty member, and his capable administrative skills gained by experience in a variety of administrative areas, quickly made Dr. Sich a valuable resource for our institution, faculty, and academic programs. He served as co-director of the M.S. in Public Health Microbiology program, a joint effort of the MITM department, and the Department of Epidemiology of the School of Public Health. He led the redevelopment of several courses, managed recruitment and admissions activities, served as a primary academic advisor for the program’s students, and taught the required course in pathogenic bacteriology. Dr. Sich was instrumental in developing a strategic plan that would have created the GW School of Tropical Medicine at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, however that program was relocated to Baylor University and he remained at GW where he continued to co-direct the public heal microbiology master’s program, provide pedagogical support to faculty teaching in the program, and expanded the program's connection with national and regional public health laboratories. Dr. Sich made numerous important contributions to the School’s faculty and departments in his role as executive director of the Office of Faculty Affairs including changes to improve the efficiency of processing, reviewing, and approving the hundreds of faculty appointment applications received each year; improvements in recruiting procedures for faculty and senior leadership of the SMHS. For his experience as an outstanding administrator; his valued contributions to the education of undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral fellows, and young investigators; and for his effective skills in promoting the importance of the research university and the value of scientific research; Dr. Jeffrey Sich is hereby granted the status of Associate Professor Emeritus of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine with all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities pertaining thereto.Read More