It is a pleasure to recognize D. Walter (David) Wray, PhD, on his appointment as holder of the Marjorie Rosenblatt Goodman and Jack Goodman Family Endowed Professorship in the Division of Geriatrics within the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Utah, effective January 1, 2026.
In a formal letter of appointment, Taylor Randall, President of the University of Utah, confirmed Dr. Wray’s five-year term, concluding December 31, 2030. This distinguished professorship honors faculty whose exemplary research, academic leadership, and sustained scholarly productivity elevate both their field and the institution.
Dr. Wray is a nationally recognized leader in vascular aging, integrative physiology, and geriatric research. Since joining the University of Utah in 2008, he has developed a robust and innovative research portfolio that has advanced scientific understanding of age-related vascular changes and chronic disease. He serves as Director of the Utah Vascular Research Laboratory (UVRL), Associate Director of Research at the Salt Lake City VA GRECC, Director of the VA Advanced Fellowship in Geriatrics, and a VA Research Career Scientist, reflecting a career defined by impactful leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Under Dr. Wray’s leadership, the UVRL has secured more than $27.5 million in federal funding over the past decade—including $9.7 million from the NIH and $17.8 million from the VA—cementing the lab as a major contributor to national research in aging and vascular health. His current research portfolio includes over $8.6 million in active funding and several pending grants totaling more than $5 million.
A prolific scholar, Dr. Wray has authored 96 peer-reviewed publications, multiple review articles, and nearly 100 abstracts. He serves on the editorial board of the American Journal of Physiology: Heart & Circulatory Physiology and reviews for leading journals in cardiovascular and applied physiology. He is also a dedicated educator and mentor, having guided numerous graduate and postdoctoral trainees and contributed extensively to research training across the institution.
Dr. Wray succeeds Dr. Russell S. Richardson, who retired in December 2025 after holding the Goodman Professorship since 2014 and serving the University of Utah for 23 years. Dr. Wray’s appointment extends this legacy of excellence.
We congratulate Dr. David Wray on this well-deserved honor and look forward to the continued impact of his leadership, scholarship, and dedication to advancing geriatric research and education.