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Bryan Knuckley, currently chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of North Florida (UNF), and the recipient of the 2025 UNF Distinguished Professor Award, has been named dean of the College of Natural and Health Sciences (CNHS).

As dean, Knuckley will oversee the departments of biology; chemistry and biochemistry; environmental studies; physician assistant medicine; physics and astronomy; health sciences and human performance; nursing; and sport management. Knuckley will begin his position at UTampa on July 6.

Knuckley said he is excited to join the University of Tampa because of the unique opportunities available through the blend of natural sciences, health sciences, and sport management that positions UTampa to address challenges across human health, performance and scientific innovation.

“The passion of the faculty and staff for student success and collaboration with the community excites me for the future of the college,” Knuckley said. “I look forward to working with faculty, staff, and community members to ensure our students are the leaders in their fields and help to meet the needs of Tampa’s vibrant and growing community."

Since 2012, Knuckley has been a member of the faculty at UNF, where he started as an assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry and was promoted to full professor. In addition to the Distinguished Professor Award, Knuckley was the recipient of the UNF Civility Award in 2024, the Mentor of the Year Award in 2020, the Undergraduate Teaching Award in 2016, and the Award for Research Excellence in 2014.

Additionally, Knuckley led the department through American Chemical Society reaffirmation, established two new bachelor's degree programs, worked with the department to develop annual evaluation and promotion and tenure guidelines, established a chemistry advisory board, developed an externally funded summer undergraduate research program, and secured over $2 million in fundraising.

His research is focused on the development of a peptoid compound that selectively targets prostate and breast cancer cells while sparing healthy ones. He holds four patents and has published 31 articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Mike Stephenson, UTampa provost and vice president of academic affairs, said, “Dr. Knuckley’s leadership as department chair at UNF, as well as his focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, faculty-student research and commitment to mentorship makes him a perfect fit for UTampa.”

Prior to UNF, Knuckley served two years as a postdoctoral fellow at the Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology. Prior to that, he served as a research associate at the University of South Carolina and a research assistant at Williams Jennings Bryan Dorn Veteran Affairs Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina.

Knuckley earned his B.S. and Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of South Carolina.

He replaces Paul Greenwood, who began working as the dean of CNHS in 2017.