Beth Habecker appointed interim senior associate dean for research, School of Medicine
Congratulations Dr. Habecker!
OHSU School of Medicine Dean Nathan Selden, M.D., Ph.D., has appointed Beth A. Habecker, Ph.D., professor of chemical physiology and biochemistry, professor of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine and professor of medicine, School of Medicine, as interim senior associate dean for research, effective July 1, 2026.
“Health sciences research improves the well-being of communities. The leading research happening at OHSU sets an example for ingenuity, integrity and transformational progress. Dr. Habecker will bring extensive personal success and outstanding leadership in research to the School of Medicine leadership team,” said Nathan Selden, M.D., Ph.D., dean of the OHSU School of Medicine and president of OHSU Practice Plan.
Dr. Habecker’s research focuses on the sympathetic nervous system in cardiovascular disease, nerve remodeling after cardiac injury, and neuroplasticity. Her lab has identified mechanisms involved in axon degeneration, axon sprouting and regeneration, and alterations in neurotransmitter and peptide production.
Dr. Habecker has served on the OHSU School of Medicine faculty for 29 years. She first joined as an assistant professor in the department of physiology and pharmacology, OHSU School of Medicine.
Dr. Habecker has contributed extensively to leading scientific journals and holds editorial roles in major physiology journals, including Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical, the Journal of Physiology, and the American Journal of Physiology: Heart & Circulatory Physiology. In addition, she has a long history of national and institutional leadership with a strong track record of mentoring and developing faculty investigators, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students.
In her new role, Dr. Habecker will foster the strategic development of SoM research programs and research excellence across SoM departments and programs. She will also serve as a liaison to the chief research officer, center and institute leaders, and research faculty.
She will also oversee the operations and management of the SoM research enterprise and work with other members of the leadership team to enhance research support and ensure the financial sustainability of the SoM research mission.
Finally, Dr. Habecker will represent OHSU SoM research priorities to national interest groups, including the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), National Institutes of Health (NIH) and others, and participate in national research initiatives on diversity in research leadership.
Dr. Selden also commented: “Thank you to the senior associate dean for research selection committee for ensuring a transparent, efficient, inclusive, and collaborative process to identify outstanding candidates for the role. Please join me and the committee in welcoming Dr. Habecker to this important work.”
OHSU Now - July 08, 2026