Bidwell strives to be a servant leader for research mission

Published on Monday, September 11, 2023

By: Andrea Wright Dilworth, awdilworth@umc.edu

Photos By: Joe Ellis/UMMC Photography

Dr. Gene “Lee” Bidwell became associate vice chancellor for research in July, but he has been preparing for the role for more than two decades.

When the Greenwood native enrolled as a biochemistry doctoral student in 2002 – the same year he married Josie Bidwell, now associate professor and clinical director of preventive medicine – he didn’t know he’d still be at the University of Mississippi Medical Center more than 20 years later.

He and his future wife, whose first date was his senior prom, had attended the University of Mississippi together and decided to continue their studies at the Medical Center. 

“UMMC has been my professional home for my entire career,” he said. “I genuinely care about the health of the research mission, and I am excited about the opportunity to lead it.”

In his new role, he wants to build on the momentum of the research mission left by predecessor Dr. Joey Granger, whom he credits as an impactful mentor, and continue to grow clinical and basic science research, using a data-driven, decision-making process that considers input from all stakeholders. 

“But mostly, I’m looking forward to working with all of the great people we have in the research mission. I have developed many great relationships in my 20 years on this campus, and I look forward to working as a team to lead the research mission to new heights.”

As a freshman biochemistry major at Ole Miss, Bidwell thought he’d be applying to medical schools in a few years. But then, as a member of the Honors College, he was required to complete a research project. By sophomore year, his fate was sealed.

“The experience led me to fall in love with the lab and with research,” he said. “I was studying a very basic science project, and this experience opened my eyes to a world that I never knew existed. 

“Growing up in a small town in the Mississippi Delta, I didn’t know what a PhD was, and I had no knowledge of career options in science. I learned about graduate school as an option and, from that time on, I changed my plans and pursued research as a career.”

After completing his postdoctoral fellowship in biochemistry, he began applying for faculty positions across the southeast. When Dr. Parminder Vig, then the research division chief of neurology, whom he had helped write an NIH grant, heard he might be leaving UMMC, he encouraged Bidwell to apply for an opening in his department. The chair offered him the position.

“I will always be grateful to them for taking a chance on a new faculty member, straight out of a fellowship, who did not bring extramural funding.” 

In the dozen years since his first faculty appointment, Bidwell has more than made up for that deficit, bringing in more than $10 million in extramural funding to the Medical Center.

He is also inventor on 11 patents focused on drug delivery systems and new treatments for diseases. His first patents, in partnership with his doctoral mentor Dr. Drazen Raucher, professor of biochemistry and neurology, focused on targeting solid tumors. 

His more recent patents, in collaboration with Dr. Eric George, associate professor of physiology, prevent drugs from crossing the placenta, allowing treatment of mothers during pregnancy without exposure to the fetus. Yet another patent with co-inventor Dr. Alejandro Chade, professor of physiology and radiology, reduces renal injury during chronic kidney disease by protecting the kidney’s blood vessels.

Vig, now professor emeritus of neurology, has expected nothing less of the former doctoral student with whom he has continued to collaborate over the years. 

“Lee is a very knowledgeable, humble and methodical researcher, and an excellent teacher,” said Vig. “Another good thing about Lee is that he is open to new ideas and critical feedback. All these qualities make him a very good scientist. I was sure that he would excel as an academic leader, and here he is where I envisioned him to be.”

Raucher, his doctoral mentor, said Bidwell’s intellectual curiosity, passion for research, leadership potential and collaborative nature stood out in his lab.

“Even during his time as a graduate student, Bidwell exhibited leadership qualities,” Raucher remembered. “He took the initiative to lead research projects, mentor junior researchers, and organize academic events, all of which foreshadowed his future leadership role in research. Perhaps the most striking trait was his passion for research. His enthusiasm for the subject matter was compelling, motivating those around him and driving his own dedication to advancing knowledge.”

That passion for research and collaboration are still important to Bidwell, who is committed to continuing his lab’s research and maintaining an extramurally funded research program.

“I hope to be a servant leader and a leader by example,” he said. “I don’t want to require things of other faculty that I’m not asked to do myself.  Beyond that, in my first year I plan to listen and learn. I want to accept input and feedback from the research community as we work to improve policies and programs.”