Physician Dana Mihaila, Ph.D., an assistant professor of cell and developmental biology and neurology who has held numerous leadership roles at Upstate Medical University since joining the faculty in 2011, has been named associate dean for undergraduate medical education at the Norton College of Medicine.
In this role, Mihaila oversees all aspects of undergraduate medical education, with a focus on medical science inquiry, compassionate care, research opportunities, community engagement and social justice. She ensures that the educational program complies with all accreditation standards, manages the educational office staff and budget, and is responsible for the delivery of the curriculum and student assessment.
She had served as interim associate dean for undergraduate medical education since July 2024.
In addition to her role as associate dean, Mihaila continues to hold several other key positions, including director of Upstate’s Anatomical Gift Program, which facilitates the donation of human bodies for teaching, research, and training purposes.
Mihaila’s educational research focuses on neuroanatomy and its clinical applications, with particular emphasis on sensory and reflex pathways of the central nervous system. Her work, published in Anatomical Science Education, expands her scope to include applied anatomical research—specifically investigating the presence and persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in human cadavers—demonstrating her interest in integrating neuroanatomy with public health and forensic science.