James H. Wyche (FAC)

James H. Wyche, of Oklahoma City, Okla.; Jul. 1, following an illness and after dealing with years of glioblastoma and kidney cancer. His career as a cell and molecular biologist and cancer researcher spanned five decades. At the time of his death he was emeritus professor in the department of chemistry at Howard University. He began his career as an assistant professor of biology at the University of Missouri–Columbia, then became associate professor of biology at Hunter College (CUNY), where he also was chair of the minority biomedical research program. This provided him opportunities to develop programming aimed at increasing the representation of underrepresented minority students in science. He held appointments as associate provost and professor of medical science at Brown from 1987 to 2001. In 1988, he was appointed associate dean for minority affairs with the charge of overseeing minority faculty hiring and graduate program development as well as overseeing minority affairs. Under his direction the Summer Research Early-Identification Program (SRE-IP) was established along with the Minority Faculty Fellowship Program in 1989. He was instrumental in the creation of the Leadership Alliance and served as its executive director. From 2001 to 2002 he served as interim president of Tougaloo College. After that, he became vice provost, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of biology and molecular pharmacology at the University of Miami (2002-2005); vice provost for academic affairs and the Edith Kimmey Gaylord Presidential Professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (2005-2007); and division director of human resource development in the education and human resources directorate at the National Science Foundation (2008-2010). He then returned to Howard as provost and chief academic officer (2010-2012) and professor of chemistry. Dealing with his illness, he left administration and taught in undergraduate chemistry laboratories from his wheelchair before retiring in 2019. He held two U.S. patents and was an investigator on many grants and projects. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Karen Fraser Wyche; two sons; a daughter-in-law; a grandson; a sister; and nieces and nephews.