Dr. Wayne T. McCormack

Dr. McCormack's laboratory research is on the genetics of susceptibility to human autoimmune disease, focusing on vitiligo. Susceptibility to autoimmune diseases has both genetic and environmental components. The genes involved in vitiligo susceptibility may be important for normal functioning of the skin pigment-producing melanocytes and/or in cells of the immune system (lymphocytes). Case/control and family-based association methods are being used to provide evidence of genetic association of such genes with vitiligo. Confirmation of a role for these genes is being sought by studies of gene expression and mutation analysis.  The long-term goal of this research is to contribute to an understanding of autoimmune disease pathogenesis, which will hopefully allow identification of 'at risk' individuals and influence strategies for treatment or prevention of vitiligo. 

Dr. McCormack's medical education research focuses on student peer evaluation in medical education. Although a major determinant of later professional success, peer evaluation is under-utilized in medical education. Ongoing studies focus on simplifying the form and analysis of medical student summative peer evaluation, including dimensions of professional competence, interpersonal skills, and humanism. Collaborations are being sought for the UF-GHHS Peer Assessment Project (http://humanism.med.ufl.edu/UF-GHHS-Project.html).

Academic Experience:
Honors and Awards
Academic Scholarships, Creighton University, 1976-1979
Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid of Research, 1985
AAI Travel Award, 7th Int'l Congress of Immunology, 1989
New Faculty Award, Division of Sponsored Research, University of Florida, 1992
Research Development Award, Division of Sponsored Research, University of Florida, 1992
"Golden Apple" Medical Student Teaching Award, Co-Director, General Pathology & Immunology course, 2001
Innovation & Research in Medical Education Award, UF College of Medicine Medical Education Week, 2002
Society of Teaching Scholars, UF College of Medicine, 2003

Committees and Reviewerships:
Manuscript Reviewerships:
J. Immunology (primary reviewer pool)
Nucleic Acids Research (ad hoc)
International Immunology (ad hoc)
Journal of Immunology (ad hoc)
Immunogenetics (ad hoc)
J. Invest. Dermatology (ad hoc)

Grant Reviewerships:
NIH Allergy and Immunology Study Section (ad hoc)
USDA Natl Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program (ad hoc)
NSF Integrative Animal Biology Program (ad hoc)
NIH Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) Special Emphasis Panel

National Committees:
Program Committee, AAMC GREAT Group Annual Conference, "GREAT Visions of the Future of Biomedical Research Education and Training", April 2003, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Program Committee, AAMC GREAT Group Annual Conference, "Implementing a GREAT Vision for Biomedical Education", April 2004, Austin, TX

College and University Committees:
Member, UF Graduate School Curriculum Committee, August 2003 - present
Member, Provost Task Force on Tuition Remission, Dec. 2002 - March 2003
Member, University Faculty Senate, August 2002 - present
Member, Council of Graduate Deans, Univ. Florida, Sept. 2001 - present
Member, Curriculum Review Committee, Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, April 1999 - present
Chair, Recruiting & Admissions Committee, Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, September 1997 - August 2002
Chair, Graduate Program Committee, Dept. of Pathology, Immunology & Laboratory Medicine, August 1997 - present
Member, Graduate Program Committee and Advisory Board, Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Sciences, Office of the Dean, College of Medicine, August 1996 - present
Center for Immunology and Transplantation Committee, Dept. of Pathology, Immunology & Laboratory Medicine, August 1996 - present
Computer Operations Committee, Dept. of Pathology, Immunology & Laboratory Medicine, August 1996 - present
Graduate Coordinators Committee, College of Medicine, January 1993 - August 1994, August 1997 - present
Graduate Program Committee Member, Graduate Program in Immunology & Molecular Pathology, Dept. of Pathology, Immunology & Laboratory Medicine, August 1992 - present
Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Science Advisory Board and Core Curriculum Focus Group, Office of the Dean, College of Medicine, August 1995 - August 1996
Center for Study of Host Inflammatory Disease and Tissue Injury Committee, Dept. of Pathology, Immunology & Laboratory Medicine, July 1994 - August 1996
Judge, 1993 Graduate Student Forum poster session, U.F. Graduate Student Council
Graduate Coordinator, Graduate Program in Mammalian Genetics, Center for Mammalian Genetics, January 1993 - August 1994
Graduate Studies Committee and Curriculum Committee, Center for Mammalian Genetics, January 1993 - April 1996

Advisory Boards:
National Neurofibromatosis Foundation, Inc., Florida Chapter, Board of Directors, July 1994 - present; Treasurer, October 1994 - July 1998; Vice-President, October 1997 - October 1999; Newsletter Editor, October 2001 - present
American Vitiligo Research Foundation, Medical Advisory Board, May 2003 - present

Community Service:
University Park Neighborhood Association, Gainesville, FL, Member, October 1992 - October 1997; Board of Directors, October 1992 - January 1995
Raintree Neighborhood Association, Gainesville, FL, Member, April 1998 - present
Boy Scouts of America, North Florida Council, Alachua District: Cub Scout Pack 127, September 2003 - December 2006; Boy Scout Troop 125, Assistant Scoutmaster, February 2006 - present; Scout Leader Trainer, August 2004 - present; District Training Chair, January 2006 - present