The University at Buffalo named Dr. Russell W. Bessette as associate vice president for health sciences and director of health information technology. Bessette is a former executive director of the New York State Agency for Science Technology and Academic Research. He previously served as special adviser to Dr. David L. Dunn, vice president for UB's health sciences, and to Bruce A. Holm, senior vice provost and executive director of the university's New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences.

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at the University at Buffalo has launched a Center for Disability Studies, a partnership between CAS and People Inc. aimed at advancing greater acceptance of persons with disabilities in the community. The goal of the center, which is housed in CAS is to encourage the study, teaching and accurate representation of disability, and of individuals with disabilities. The present task of the center, which is operating on a three-year trial basis, is to sponsor a visiting scholar for one semester each academic year for the three years. The scholar, Gerber says, will teach a course on disability history in his or her academic discipline, deliver a public lecture or presentation and help open a new 'wing' of People Inc.'s Museum of disability History's online virtual museum, as well as consult on new exhibits for the traditional museum, located at North Forest and Maple roads in Amherst. The scholar also will help plan the Disability Film Festival that is held each fall in the Market Arcade Film and Arts Center in downtown Buffalo.

Gary A. Giovino, Ph.D. has been named chair of the Department of Health Behavior at University at Buffalo. Giovino has served as interim chair of the department, part of the UB School of Public Health and Health Professions, since 2007. He currently is co-investigator on a $1.4 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to evaluate low ignition propensity cigarette legislation, and has been principal investigator on several smoking-related grants.