Dr. Jack David Sobel is a distinguished professor and internationally recognized authority in infectious diseases at Wayne State University School of Medicine, where he previously served as Dean from 2015 to 2020. Awarded the title of dean emeritus in 2020 by the Wayne State University Board of Governors, he has maintained an active research and clinical career since joining the institution as a professor of Internal Medicine in 1985. Dr. Sobel received his medical degree from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, and completed comprehensive clinical training in internal medicine, pediatrics, and cardiology across South African and Israeli institutions before advancing his expertise through a research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health. His distinguished career bridges clinical practice and academic leadership, with particular recognition for his expertise in fungal infections and contributions to medical education reform.
Dr. Sobel stands among the world's leading researchers in microbiology, ranked 50th in the United States and 99th globally by Research.com in their 2025 edition of Top Scientists in Microbiology. His scholarly impact is evidenced by 464 publications accumulating over 80,860 citations, achieving a D-index of 121 that reflects both the quality and influence of his research contributions. As one of the world's foremost authorities on yeast infections, his work has significantly advanced clinical understanding and treatment protocols in infectious diseases. His expertise has been instrumental in shaping national health policy through multiple appointments to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Special Committee for recommending Guidelines for treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases from 1993 through 2009.
Beyond his research achievements, Dr. Sobel has profoundly influenced medical education and infrastructure at Wayne State University, overseeing the implementation of an innovative organ systems-based curriculum that integrates basic sciences with clinical experiences from the first day of medical school. He spearheaded the opening of the $93 million Integrative Biosciences Center in 2015, a facility dedicated to studying and eliminating health disparities affecting Detroit residents through interdisciplinary collaboration. Under his leadership, the School of Medicine exceeded an ambitious $190 million fundraising goal as part of the university's Pivotal Moments Campaign. Currently active in scholarly work, he continues to serve on multiple editorial boards including as Associate Editor for Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology, mentoring the next generation of clinicians while maintaining his commitment to advancing infectious disease research and addressing critical health disparities in urban communities.
