Debra Lyon was named the College of Nursing’s executive associate dean and the Thomas M. and Irene B. Kirbo endowed chair, in January 2014.

Lyon’s research focuses on symptom management in women with breast cancer, and she is currently the principal investigator on two National Institutes of Health-funded studies totaling $4.8 million. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and currently serves as the co-chair of its genetic nursing and health care expert panel.

Lyon has contributed to more than 80 scientific publications and presentations, and she has served as a principal investigator or co-investigator on more than $7 million in research grants and contracts from organizations such as the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society. She also has served as the chair of the major grant review committee of the Oncology Nursing Society.

The Thomas M. and Irene B. Kirbo chair was established to attract a dynamic scholar whose research focuses on cancer care.

In the role of executive associate dean, Lyon isresponsible for day-to-day management as delegated by the dean and serve as a resource to department chairs and assistant and associate deans. Lyon assists the dean with external relations and serve as the dean’s delegate to various committees of the university and academic health center.

Lyon came to UF from Virginia Commonwealth University, where she served as associate dean for research and the Judith B. Collins and Joseph M. Teefey distinguished professor. Lyon has years of experience in nursing education administration, having previously served as a department chair prior to her tenure as associate dean. She also served as a faculty member at the University of Virginia from 1998 to 2004.

Symptom management, including complementary modalities, in women with breast cancer and other chronic illnesses. Biobehavioral research, including molecular markers of inflammation and genetic markers.