University of Florida Appoints Dr. Landry as Interim President

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Donald W. Landry as interim president during a meeting on August 25, 2025. The vote was unanimous, signaling strong support for Landry, who is a distinguished physician-scientist and a highly regarded academic leader.

Dr. Landry currently serves as chair emeritus of Columbia University’s Department of Medicine and is notable for receiving the Presidential Citizens Medal, which is the second-highest civilian honor in the United States. His term as interim president will begin on September 1, 2025, pending confirmation from Florida’s Board of Governors, which will meet to discuss his appointment on September 10-11.

Mori Hosseini, chair of the UF Board of Trustees, praised Landry’s accomplishments in both science and leadership. “Dr. Landry is a highly accomplished scientist whose work is recognized around the world,” he said, expressing confidence in Landry’s ability to lead UF effectively.

In his statement, Dr. Landry expressed gratitude for the opportunity. “It is an extraordinary honor to serve the University of Florida at such an important moment in its history,” he said. He highlighted the institution’s significant achievements over the past decade and emphasized his commitment to working with the university community to continue that progress.

Landry possesses vast experience in both research and administration. He is the Hamilton Southworth Professor at New York Presbyterian/Columbia Medical Center and serves as the director of the Center for Human Longevity at Columbia. His career includes founding and directing the Division of Experimental Therapeutics and serving as chief of the Division of Nephrology.

His leadership at Columbia led to remarkable growth in funding and faculty, with NIH funding tripling and philanthropy increasing fourfold during his tenure. Landry’s contributions to science are extensive, including innovative research in various fields and holding 50 U.S. patents. He has published over 150 articles throughout his career.

Landry’s educational background includes earning a Ph.D. in organic chemistry at Harvard University under Nobel laureate R.B. Woodward and an M.D. from Columbia University. He completed his residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and has received multiple recognitions for his contributions to healthcare and society.

In 2008, he received the Presidential Citizens Medal from President George W. Bush, a testament to his significant impact on the well-being of others.