Published on February 24, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. by Alison Ingle  
Suresh Mathews

Suresh Mathews, PhD, has been appointed to serve as interim dean of Samford University’s School of Public Health. He has been a valued member of the Samford community since 2015, serving as the department chair and professor in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics. 

Mathews brings a wealth of experience and academic excellence to his new role. He completed his PhD in biochemistry at the University of Madras, India, where his dissertation focused on clinical research on human malaria. Over the years, he has held esteemed academic positions at Auburn University and Wayne State University School of Medicine in Michigan. He also served two terms as a science advisor for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

Mathews has published over 130 peer-reviewed articles, abstracts and conference proceedings. A respected reviewer for various funding agencies, he also serves on editorial boards and presents at global conferences. 

Mathews is actively involved in his community. He serves on the Boards of the Association of Nutrition Departments and Programs, as well as the Community Foodbank of Central Alabama. Additionally, he is an honorary faculty member at the Mar Thoma Institute of Mission and Culture. For nearly 20 years, he has coordinated the MOWA-Choctaw Native American Youth Mission while leading a Bible study group for the past eight years. 

"I am excited to work alongside our students and faculty inspiring one another to advance the field of public health," Mathews said. "Since 2013, we’ve been preparing students for lives of service driven by our motto, “The world needs you now.” That message feels more important than ever, and I’m committed to helping our students, faculty, staff and the larger community live it out every day." 

Mathews’ experience, dedication to research and passion for service position him to lead Samford’s School of Public Health with purpose and vision. His goal is to ensure the school continues its mission to prepare future leaders who will make a positive impact in communities locally and globally. 

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks with the second highest score in the nation for its 98% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.