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Portland, Maine

UNE appoints biomedical researcher to lead School of Pharmacy

navindra seeram school of pharmacy dean
The University of New England recently selected Navindra Seeram, Ph.D., as the pharmacy school dean.

The University of New England has selected Navindra Seeram, Ph.D.,  as dean of the School of Pharmacy. Seeram will assume his role on Jan. 2, 2025.

Seeram’s appointment follows a nationwide search to lead the University’s pharmacy school, which offers a four-year, fully accredited Doctor of Pharmacy program known for its integrated curriculum and hands-on clinical experiences.

With over 16 years of experience in pharmacy education, Seeram has held many leadership roles, including his previous role as chair of the biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences department at the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy. 

“Navindra’s dynamic leadership style, innovative approach to problem-solving, and the significant research contributions from his laboratory will greatly enhance the School of Pharmacy and UNE,” said John Vitale, Ph.D., dean of the Westbrook College of Health Professions, noting that Seeram’s expertise in curriculum development, research, and industry partnerships will be an asset to the University’s mission. 

During his tenure, Seeram has successfully launched new academic programs, increased research funding, and fostered interdepartmental collaborations. Seeram is an internationally recognized leader in biomedical research, having authored and co-authored over 230 peer-reviewed papers and secured continuous extramural funding from both industry and federal sources. His research focuses on pharmacognosy and medicinal plant natural products, with particular expertise in maple phytochemistry.

“I'm thrilled to join UNE's vibrant community and contribute to its mission of advancing health care education,” Seeram said. “The School of Pharmacy and Westbrook College of Health Professions provide a unique opportunity to foster interprofessional research collaborations and create innovative learning experiences that will prepare our students to be leaders in the evolving landscape of pharmacy practice.”

Most recently, Seeram has been instrumental in developing innovative academic programs, including an accelerated online undergraduate certificate in cannabis studies and an in-person minor in cannabis science. His efforts have expanded the scope of pharmacy education and research at URI, contributing to the college’s ranking among pharmacy schools.

He earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica, in 1998, and completed postdoctoral research at Michigan State University. He later served as the assistant director of the Center for Human Nutrition in the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Media Contact

Emme Demmendaal
Office of Communications
edemmendaal@une.edu

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.