Notable Alums
Specialty: Gastroenterology
Graduation Year: 1981
Peter Traber
Peter Traber, M.D. ’81, is a gastroenterologist, and president, chief executive officer and chief medical officer of the biotechnology firm Galectin Therapeutics.
After receiving his medical degree from the Wayne State University School of Medicine, Dr. Traber completed an Internal Medicine residency at Northwestern University School of Medicine in Chicago before training as a gastroenterologist. He also has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Michigan and a certificate in medical leadership from the Wharton Business School.
Dr. Traber joined the faculty of UM before becoming chief of Gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (1992 to 1997), where he conducted research on intestinal differentiation. He held several positions at the University of Pennsylvania from 1997 to 2000, including chair of the Department of Internal Medicine, chief executive officer of the University of Pennsylvania Health System and interim dean.
He was senior vice president of Clinical Development and Medical Affairs, and chief medical officer of GlaxoSmithKline plc, a British multinational pharmaceutical company, from 2000 to 2003. He is president emeritus of Baylor College of Medicine, where he was chief executive officer from 2003 to 2008. He also is on the board of directors at Caladrius Biosciences Inc. (formerly NeoStem).
Dr. Traber has published more than 100 articles of original research, reviews and book chapters. Among his honors are the WSU School of Medicine Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award (1999) and the American Gastroenterological Association Outstanding Service Award (2006).
After receiving his medical degree from the Wayne State University School of Medicine, Dr. Traber completed an Internal Medicine residency at Northwestern University School of Medicine in Chicago before training as a gastroenterologist. He also has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Michigan and a certificate in medical leadership from the Wharton Business School.
Dr. Traber joined the faculty of UM before becoming chief of Gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (1992 to 1997), where he conducted research on intestinal differentiation. He held several positions at the University of Pennsylvania from 1997 to 2000, including chair of the Department of Internal Medicine, chief executive officer of the University of Pennsylvania Health System and interim dean.
He was senior vice president of Clinical Development and Medical Affairs, and chief medical officer of GlaxoSmithKline plc, a British multinational pharmaceutical company, from 2000 to 2003. He is president emeritus of Baylor College of Medicine, where he was chief executive officer from 2003 to 2008. He also is on the board of directors at Caladrius Biosciences Inc. (formerly NeoStem).
Dr. Traber has published more than 100 articles of original research, reviews and book chapters. Among his honors are the WSU School of Medicine Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award (1999) and the American Gastroenterological Association Outstanding Service Award (2006).