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DURHAM, NC – Ross McKinney Jr., M.D., has been named vice dean for research at Duke University School of Medicine.

McKinney's duties include improving the infrastructure and programs that support faculty research at Duke University Medical Center, said R. Sanders Williams, M.D., dean of the Duke University School of Medicine and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Duke University Medical Center. McKinney also will supervise the Institutional Review Board and Office for Grants and Contracts and will lead new initiatives relating to information technology, translational medicine and clinical research resources.

"I'm pleased that Dr. McKinney has agreed to take on this new role in service to the medical center," said Williams. "His passion for clinical research and track record of support for faculty research endeavors made him the ideal candidate for this position."

A member of the medical center faculty since 1985, McKinney specializes in the treatment of pediatric HIV infection, and since 1994 has served as chief of the division of pediatric infectious diseases. He is also director of the Duke Pediatric Clinical Research Program. McKinney's appointment was effective July 10. He will continue to serve as chief of the division of pediatric infectious diseases until a new chief is named.

"This is an exciting and challenging opportunity for me," said McKinney. "I look forward to working with the medical school faculty and staff to enhance the quality of clinical research resources available at Duke. My clinical practice has provided me the opportunity to witness firsthand the impact of innovative research, and I'm happy to now be in a position to support research programs throughout the medical center."

McKinney received his medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. He completed a residency in pediatrics and a fellowship in infectious diseases at Duke.

McKinney was the primary author of the Phase I and II studies of zidovudine (AZT) in children and has served as chair of several other multi-center trials of anti-HIV therapy in children.

Currently, McKinney is an elected member of the Executive Committee of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society and serves on the editorial board of the journal Pediatrics.