Jennifer Temple named SPHHP associate dean for student and academic affairs

The School of Public Health and Health Professions has appointed Jennifer Temple, PhD, as its associate dean for academic and student affairs. In her new position, Temple will play a critical role in advancing the school’s academic excellence and supporting student success. Her primary responsibilities are:

• Acting as the main liaison to the UB Provost’s Offices, overseeing the development, assessment and support of undergraduate and graduate academic programs.
• Overseeing the implementation of academic policies related to student grievances and academic integrity.

“Jenn is a talented member of our SPHHP faculty with tremendous experience as graduate director in the department of Exercise and Nutritional Science,” said Jean Wactawski-Wende, PhD, SPHHP dean and SUNY Distinguished Professor. “I look forward to working with her in this expanded role.”

Temple assumes the role from Gaspar Farkas, PhD, who has served in the position since 2015.

Temple is a professor in the school’s departments of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences (ENS), and Community Health and Health Behavior.  She also directs UB’s Nutrition and Health Research Laboratory. Her research focuses on factors that influence ingestive behavior and the development of obesity in humans. Her work is widely published in journals related to nutrition, eating behavior and psychology, among others. She also is a frequent source of information to national media on topics related to her research.

Temple has served as ENS’ director of graduate studies for over 10 years and acted as the department’s interim chair last semester.

A neurobiologist by training, Temple joined UB in 2005 as an assistant professor. She was promoted to associate professor in 2013 and professor in 2020. She received her doctorate in neuroscience from the University of Virginia.

She began her new position on Aug. 14.