Department of Health Sciences Chair and Professor George Kudolo retires after 37 years at health science center
In true teacher fashion, renowned researcher and professor George Kudolo, PhD, CPC, FAIC, FADLM, came prepared with his own slideshow for his retirement luncheon in August.
“I knew this day way coming and the dean would want me to say a few words, so I have them on a slide,” he said, setting the tone of lighthearted laughter that continued throughout his remarks.
As he shared memories from career, Kudolo pulled props from a large box to illustrate his stories, entertaining the gathering of School of Health Professions faculty and staff who gathered to celebrate him and the legacy he is leaving almost 38 years after joining the faculty at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
Before closing, Kudolo shared a handful of life lessons he’s learned, arranged to spell “EXCEL.”
- E: Education is the great equalizer.
- X: Have excitement about what we do.
- C: Embrace change.
- E: Examine your life .
- L: Lucky. Be prepared.
Referring to the lesson on luck and preparation, Kudolo said some might have considered him lucky, but that his own preparation is what made his luck.
A researcher on three continents
Kudolo received his PhD in biochemistry from the Royal Postgraduate Medical School at the University of London. He arrived at the health science center in 1988 for a postdoctoral fellowship in reproductive physiology and biochemistry.
“He has conducted research on three different continents, focusing on critical areas like nutrition, metabolic disease, diabetes and card
iovascular disease,” School of Health Professions Dean David Shelledy, PhD, RRT, RPFT, FAARC, FASAHP, said during his comments at the event. “He has published over 90 abstracts and papers, most of them as first author, written nine book chapters and delivered more than 128 invited presentations at major scientific meetings around the world.”
In fact, Kudolo was recognized as the first scientist to demonstrate the ability of ingested Ginkgo biloba extract to increase insulin production. With his expertise in laboratory medicine and forensic toxicology, he is called upon as an expert witness in forensic drug cases.
In 2005, the School of Health Professions named its annual George Kudolo Award for Research Excellence in his honor.
A committed teacher and administrator
Kudolo’s service to the university includes having led the Graduate Toxicology program as coordinator and then program director. In recent years, his focused turned to teaching, including his work with the Physician Assistant Studies program since its creation 25 years ago.
“For the past eight years, George has led one of the most complicated and vital areas as chair of the Department of Health Sciences,” Shelledy said. “This department encompasses bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in medical laboratory sciences, imaging sciences and medical sciences, as well as the PhD in Health Sciences.”
Kudolo has received numerous teaching awards over the years, including the UT Health San Antonio Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2000, the UT System Distinguished Teaching Award in 2010, and in 2013, he received the esteemed Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award, the highest teaching honor in The University of Texas System. He was named a 2020 Piper Professor by the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation. The annual award recognizes 10 Texas educators for superior teaching at the college level.
Kudolo officially retired at the end of September and has been named professor emeritus.