Joseph Dunbar, Ph.D.

Joseph Dunbar, Ph.D., Class of 1970, is a professor and associate vice president for Research in the Department of Physiology at the Wayne State University School of Medicine. He directs the School of Medicine’s Office of Medical Student Research and Innovation, which assists students interested in research and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Dunbar received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Alcorn College and a master’s degree in zoology from Texas Southern University before earning his doctorate in Physiology and Pharmacology at Wayne State University. He completed postdoctoral training at Sinai Hospital of Detroit as a diabetes trainee and a research associate. He rejoined WSU as assistant professor in the Department of Physiology, then associate professor. He was appointed professor in 1985, associate chair in 1995, and served as chair of the department from 1998 to 2007.

Dr. Dunbar is interested in the endocrine mechanisms associated with diabetes mellitus and its complications. He serves on the Advisory Board for the American Physiological Society Professional Skills Training Program. He is an active member of many National Institutes of Health review boards and committees and has served on the boards of several peer-reviewed national journals, including American Journal of Physiology.

Dr. Dunbar received the WSU School of Medicine Lawrence M. Weiner Award in 1996. The award is presented annually to honor exceptional performance in teaching, research and/or administrative duties.