Honoring a Legacy of Scholarship, Leadership, and Lifelong Commitment to Central
Central is proud to celebrate Dr. Denis M. Medeiros ’74 and his wife Susan, whose generosity has established the Denis and Susan Medeiros Graduate Research Fund, a new endowed fund that will empower future generations of graduate researchers in the field of Biology.
Denis’s remarkable academic career began at Central where he earned his B.S. in Biology and Secondary Education, graduating cum laude. During his undergraduate years, he distinguished himself through academic excellence, earning honors including membership in the Phi Sigma Society and selection to the Dean’s List.
Born in Acushnet, Massachusetts, and raised in Connecticut, Denis embodies the Blue Devil spirit, determined, community-minded, and committed to lifelong learning. He went on to earn his M.S. from Illinois State University and Ph.D. from Clemson University, launching a prolific career in nutrition science, research, and academic leadership.
Dr. Medeiros’s professional path reflects more than four decades of scholarship and service. He served as Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Dean of the Graduate School, at the University of Missouri–Kansas City; Professor and Head of the Department of Human Nutrition; Associate Dean for Scholarship and Research; and Associate Dean of Human Ecology at Kansas State University. Prior to that, he was at Ohio State University as Professor of Human Nutrition and Associate Dean, and later Interim Dean, of the College of Human Ecology. Other career highlights include Visiting Professor in the Division of Cardiology at Washington University School of Medicine and Visiting Associate Professor at the Medical University of South Carolina.
In all of these roles, Denis championed research excellence, faculty development, and graduate student success, providing mentorship that shaped countless careers
As a respected researcher, he authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications across nutrition, cardiology, mitochondria research, and public health, contributing meaningfully to his field
Throughout his career, Denis has not only led within academia but has also worked to expand access to research experiences for students. His decades of mentoring, program development, and advocacy for emerging scholars, together with his numerous awards –from national research honors to teaching excellence – underscore his dedication
It is this lifelong commitment to education that inspired Denis and Susan to give back to Central where he launched his academic journey. Denis shared, “My dad was a police officer in the north end of Hartford for over two decades. Having a program at Central would continue a legacy of giving back.”
The Denis ’74 and Susan Medeiros Graduate Research Fund
The newly established endowed fund will directly support graduate-level research, providing resources that enhance scholarly inquiry and expand opportunities for Central graduate students in Biology to pursue ambitious academic work. Denis and Susan believe in the transformative power of graduate education and their desire to help future scholars thrive is evident. As Dr. Mark Jackson, Professor and Chair of the Department of Biology, notes, “Graduate research is where students learn to think independently, ask hard questions, and contribute new knowledge. Denis and Susan’s gift ensures that more of our students will have the chance to do that work.”
Denis’s distinguished career began in the classrooms of Central. Now, through this endowed fund, he and Susan are ensuring that today’s students will have the same opportunity to pursue meaningful research, discover their passions, and shape the future of their fields. Their generosity is more than a gift; it is an investment in knowledge, opportunity, and the next generation of scholars.
