James “Jimmy” Oñate, an international leader in human movement assessment and injury prevention, has been named dean of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, effective June 1.

“Beyond his extensive accomplishments in movement assessment, injury risk mitigation and human performance optimization, Dr. Oñate is recognized for his people-centered leadership, focus on collaboration and development, and a strong commitment to advancing student, faculty, staff and research infrastructure,” said Anantha Shekhar, senior vice chancellor for the health sciences, in a May 4 announcement.

Oñate’s career spans clinical practice, research, teaching and senior academic leadership. He joins Pitt from Ohio State University, where he currently serves as interim vice dean for health and rehabilitation sciences, interim director of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and professor in the Division of Athletic Training.

Oñate’s research has helped shape injury prevention and patient care across athletic, military and first responder populations. His scholarship includes more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and eight book chapters, and his work has played a foundational role in shaping integrated human performance and sports medicine models.

He is a fellow of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and current vice president of research at the NATA Research and Education Foundation. He also serves as associate editor of the Journal of Athletic Training. He earned his master’s degree in exercise science and his PhD in human movement sciences with an emphasis in motor learning and biomechanics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Shekhar extended a special thanks to interim SHRS Dean David Beck who has led the school since January 2025, when Dean Anthony Delitto moved full-time into the role of associate provost for digital education.

Amy Seybert, dean of the School of Pharmacy, led the search committee for the new SHRS dean.