Kevin M. Guskiewicz

Kevin M. Guskiewicz is an American neuroscientist and academic administrator specializing in sports medicine and concussion research. He has served as the 12th chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill since 2019, following a distinguished career as a researcher and dean. His pioneering work on athlete brain health has been widely recognized, earning him prestigious accolades including a MacArthur Fellowship.

Early life and education

Born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, he developed an early interest in human physiology and athletic training. He completed his undergraduate degree in athletic training at West Chester University in 1989. He then pursued a master's degree in exercise physiology at the University of Pittsburgh, graduating in 1992. His academic journey culminated in a Ph.D. in sports medicine from the University of Virginia in 1995, where his dissertation focused on postural stability assessments following mild traumatic brain injury.

Academic career and research

Guskiewicz joined the faculty of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1995 as an assistant professor in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science. He rose through the ranks, becoming a full professor and founding director of the Matthew Gfeller Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Research Center. His research, often conducted in collaboration with the National Football League and the National Collegiate Athletic Association, has been instrumental in developing evidence-based concussion management protocols. He has published extensively in journals like the American Journal of Sports Medicine and the Journal of Athletic Training, influencing safety policies across multiple sports leagues.

University leadership

His administrative career at UNC-Chapel Hill began when he was appointed senior associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences in 2008. In 2011, he became dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, overseeing its vast academic portfolio. Following the departure of Carol Folt, he was named interim chancellor in 2019 and was permanently appointed to the role later that year by the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors. As chancellor, he has led initiatives on innovation and economic development, navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and overseen the launch of the university's Campaign for Carolina.

Awards and honors

Guskiewicz's contributions to science have been recognized with numerous awards. In 2011, he was named a MacArthur Fellow, often called the "genius grant," for his transformative work on concussion diagnosis and management. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and has received the National Athletic Trainers' Association's Sayers "Bud" Miller Distinguished Educator Award. His research accolades also include the American College of Sports Medicine's Citation Award and the Brain Injury Association of America's William Fields Caveness Award.

Personal life

He is married to Amy Guskiewicz, and the couple has four children. An avid supporter of Tar Heel athletics, he is frequently seen at games for teams like the football and men's basketball programs. He maintains a commitment to community service in the Chapel Hill area and is involved with several local educational and health-focused organizations.

Category:American neuroscientists Category:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill faculty Category:MacArthur Fellows Category:1966 births Category:Living people