Arnold S. Bleiweis, Ph.D., graduate research professor emeritus retires

Arnold S. Bleiweis, Ph.D., retired Jan. 31 after a 35-year career at UF, 16 during which he served as chairman for the College of Dentistry’s department of oral biology. As chairman, Bleiweis was instrumental in developing the research enterprise of the department, contributing to the college’s 2002 national seventh-place ranking in National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research awards to dental institutions.

“When I became chair of oral biology in 1986, it was a small but good department with a little more than $1 million in federal research grants,” Bleiweis said. “Now it’s one of the most productive basic science research departments in the Health Science Center, with 28 federal grants last fiscal year and a total grant/contract figure of $9.8 million despite having a 12-member faculty, virtually unchanged in size from 1986.”

Bleiweis earned his doctorate in microbiology from Pennsylvania State University in 1964. He joined the department of microbiology and cell science in UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences as an assistant professor in 1967. He earned tenured status in 1972 and was appointed graduate research professor in 1988. Bleiweis continues to teach and contribute to department laboratory operations and has been awarded graduate research professor emeritus status.