The George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences is pleased to welcome Alison K. Hall, PhD, as the new associate dean for research workforce development.
In this role, Hall will provide oversight of research workforce development across the school. She will give guidance on research education, promote research opportunities, and provide sponsored research support.
“Hall has extensive experience fostering clinician-investigator research and in building interdisciplinary training programs,” said Ray Lucas, MD, associate dean for faculty affairs and professional development at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences. “She has an impressive track record of extramural funding and extensive experience in research workforce development. We are honored to have her join the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences leadership team.”
At GW, Hall will develop mentorship and training for clinician investigators, and support the medical student research track. She will be a resource for faculty seeking to develop research training and research education initiatives and help them respond to emerging opportunities. Additionally, she will work to enhance engagement of underrepresented minorities in biomedical research and foster a culture of collaboration and interdisciplinary research.
Hall was most recently the deputy director of the Division of Training, Workforce Development and Diversity at the National Institute of General Medical Science (NIGMS). She led national workshops on clinician scientist training and “on-ramps” to research at multiple career stages, as well as national programs to enhance training and diversity. Prior to this experience, Hall was the associate dean for graduate education at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. During her time there, she led efforts that resulted in doubling the number of PhD students from diverse groups and was able to secure funding for new post-baccalaureate and MD summer research programs.
Hall is a published neuroscientist with a focus on neurodevelopment and the peripheral nervous system. She served on numerous national study groups, and was elected to both national and international professional organizations, including as president of the Association of Neuroscience Departments and Programs and as steering committee member for the Association of American Medical Colleges Graduate Research Education and Training. She has received numerous honors and awards, including National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation research funding, the Basil O’Connor Starter Scholar Research Award from the March of Dimes, Crain’s Cleveland Business Magazine 40 under 40 Award, the American Medical Women’s Association’s Gender Equity Award, and the Outstanding Faculty Educator Award from Case Western Reserve University.
Hall earned her PhD in Developmental Genetics & Anatomy/Neuroscience and completed her postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Pharmacology at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. She received her BA in Biochemistry & Cell Biology from the University of California, San Diego.
“I am excited to join GW,” said Hall. “I look forward to helping support and develop the incredible researchers who work here.”
Hall began her role as associate dean for research workforce development on July 6, 2017.
