Darlene F. Zellers, PhD

  • Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Career Development, Health Sciences
  • Director, Office of Academic Career Development, Health Sciences
  • Associate Dean for Postdoctoral Affairs, School of Medicine

Darlene F. Zellers, PhD, is associate vice chancellor for academic career development, health sciences, and associate dean for postdoctoral affairs in the School of Medicine. Since 2003, Dr. Zellers has been director of the Office of Academic Career Development (OACD), Health Sciences, which enhances the recruitment, retention, and academic success of biomedical scientists and clinical investigators within the health sciences, particularly postdoctoral fellows. OACD helps emerging investigators navigate the processes surrounding the discovery and translation of biomedical knowledge. Under Dr. Zellers, OACD established a standardized postdoctoral career development and progress assessment process across the Schools of the Health Sciences. The office has also notably propelled the success of women in science and medicine and has garnered national acclaim for its efforts.

Dr. Zellers previously served as associate dean of continuing education and summer programs in the College of General Studies. Dr. Zellers’s research interests involve academic cultures, professional career development, and program development. Among her awards is the 2012 University of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Association Postdoctoral Advocate Award.

Dr. Zellers received her BS degree from Pennsylvania State University and both her MA in administrative and policy studies and PhD in higher education administration from the University of Pittsburgh.