Dr. John B. Simpson was appointed President of the University at Buffalo on January 1, 2004, bringing with him more than 30 years of experience in higher education. Prior to his appointment as UB President, he held the post of Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he served from 1998-2003. Dr. Simpson’s previous appointments include 23 years at the University of Washington, where he joined the Department of Psychology faculty in 1975, later serving as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 1994-98.

A native of California, Dr. Simpson received his bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara and earned his doctorate from Northwestern University in neurobiology and behavior. Dr. Simpson has published widely in the field of neuroendocrinology, and he is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Society for Neuroscience, and the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior. A member of the SUNY Research Foundation Board and the UB Associates Board, Dr. Simpson is an ex officio member of the UB Foundation Board of Trustees. Among his numerous leadership roles, Dr. Simpson serves on the boards of the SUNY Research Foundation, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, and the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy.