Johannes Vieweg

Early life and education

Vieweg was born in Neuendettelsau, Germany in 1958 and received his medical degree from the Technical University of Munich in 1983. After relocating to the United States, he spent three years as a post-doctoral research fellow at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY and Duke University, Durham, NC under the mentorship of Eli Gilboa, PhD, a prominent expert in retrovirology and cell therapy.

Professional Background

In 1999, Vieweg completed the Duke residency-training program in urologic surgery and, subsequently, enjoyed highly productive nine-year tenure as faculty and Vice Chair of Research in the Duke Department of Urology under the chairmanship of David F. Paulson, MD. Much of Vieweg’s career-long scientific activity has centered on the investigation and clinical testing of genetically engineered tumor vaccines, the discovery of universal tumor antigens and the modulation of immunosuppressive T cells and myeloid cells. He also made significant contributions by discovering novel pathway-targeted interventions and developing novel prediction models for therapeutic response. More recent research interests are aligned with the field of public health, prevention medicine, implementation science and comparative effectiveness research in academic and community-based settings. Vieweg’s scientific work has received uninterrupted funding by the National Institute of Health since 1998 and is well documented in more than 150 publications, books, commentaries and review articles.

In 2006, Vieweg was recruited to the University of Florida (UF) as the founding Professor and Chairman of the Department of Urology. Vieweg’s recruitment from Duke University to UF was facilitated by the Florida Board of Governors’ 21st Century World Class Scholar’s program, which recognizes nationally accomplished faculty in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Under Vieweg’s leadership, the UF Department of Urology has witnessed remarkable advancements through the recruitment of outstanding faculty and through nationally recognized research programs. Today, the department offers the highest level of urologic care in Florida, as reflected by UF Urology's #18 ranking in the 2014 U.S. News & World Report. Other positions held by Vieweg during his 10-year tenure at UF included: the Wayne and Marti Huizenga Endowed Research Scholar Chair, Executive Director of the UF Prostate Disease Center, Chairman of the Florida Prostate Cancer Advisory Council and Vice President of the University of Florida Clinical Practice Association.

During his tenure at UF, Vieweg further served as the American Urologic Association Research Council Chair (2010 to 2015). In executing responsibilities, he directly reported to the AUA’s Board of Directors, chaired the Research Council, and oversaw the various subcommittees of the Research Council. He periodically met with NIH leaders to discuss new research directions, grant opportunities, and funding in the urologic sciences, and participated, as AUA liaison, on NIDDK and NCI advisory board meetings.

In February 2015, Vieweg was awarded a Jefferson Science Fellowship by the National Academy of Sciences in Washington DC. This prestigious program engages distinguished scientists from across the US as Special Advisors to the US Department of State to provide scientific expertise in foreign policy development. In this position, Vieweg frequently interacted with numerous Department of State offices and governmental agencies, including the US Department of Health and Human Services and the National Science Foundation on issues of global health, health education, and human security. He frequently participated in diplomatic meetings with foreign governments to advance partnerships and implement foreign policy for the United States of America.

Current position and responsibilities

Since February 2016, Johannes Vieweg has served as the inaugural Dean of the College of Allopathic Medicine at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His ambitious vision includes establishing a world-class medical school by implementing innovative models of education, research and healthcare delivery, with a focus on developing an integrated health system and improving health in Florida and beyond.