Pharmacology and Chemical Biology

This September, the Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology celebrates 90 years (1929-2019) of excellence in discovery, training and impact.  On Monday, Sept 16, we honored former faculty and administrators for the important role they have played in the great success the department has enjoyed.   On Thursday, Sept 19, we recognized and honored the many former alumni who have gone on to very successful and impactful careers.

In the process of reconnecting with past colleagues, nearly 500 living former graduate students, postdocs, visiting scholars, technicians and undergraduates were identified who have passed through the department.  Many of these have gone on to prominent roles in academia, the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, and education.  In addition, many alumni have entered other important professions as well, such as medical administration and leadership, medical writing and communications, patent law and Intellectual property, public health, venture capital asset management, drug development and clinical trials, to name just some. Dozens of former alumni returned from around the country to participate in the celebration, and many others who could not attend sent professional profiles. This event re-connected alumni from all over the world, who sent their profiles and well wishes for the department, including Dr. Qide Han (visiting scholar, 1987, Minneman lab), former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of National People’s Congress of China, and recipient of Emory’s prestigious Woodruff Medal.

Among the visiting alumni were honored guests and speakers who have enjoyed very distinguished careers, with far reaching impact on their fields.  Returning alumni included Dr. William Caldwell (1969, Goldberg lab), Emeritus Professor & former Chair of Pharmacology, Medical College of Georgia and his wife Ruth. Dr. Caldwell informed the audience of students from the 1960s and their current activities.  The first honored speaker was Dr. Romesh Subramanian, current CEO of Dyne Therapeutics, and founder of two successful biotech companies. Dr. Subramanian was a student in the Molecular and Systems Pharmacology (MSP) graduate program at Emory (1997-2001) and studied under Dr. Haian Fu.  The second honored alumni speaker was Dr. James Doherty, current Chief Research Officer at Sage Therapeutics, who has led teams at both AstraZeneca and Sage in the discovery of novel therapeutics for neurological disorders, psychiatric disorders, and pain control including Zulresso, the first-ever approved therapy for the treatment of post-partum depression.  Dr. Doherty was a postdoctoral fellow and Research Assistant Professor with Dr. Raymond Dingledine (1994-2001).  The last speaker was Dr. Jeffrey Boatwright, who is Professor of Opthalmology at Emory School of Medicine, and Research Core Director in the Atlanta VA Health System.  Dr. Boatright has served on the Board of Governors and is past President & Trustee for ARVO, (Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology).  He is the founding and current Editor-in-Chief of Molecular Vision.  Dr. Boatright was a graduate student in the Emory Neuroscience graduate program (1987-1992) and studied with Dr. Michael Iuvone. Other highly successful honored alumni included Dr. Susanne Hollinger and Dr. Valerie Horsley.  Dr. Hollinger (Emory Neuroscience 1998-2003, Hepler lab) also earned her JD, and previously served as Chief IP Officer for Emory University. She is currently the Senior Managing Counsel and Chief Patent Officer for the Coca Cola Corporation. Dr. Valerie Horsley (Emory BCDB 1997-2003; Pavlath lab), is a very successful tenured Associate Professor at Yale University, and has received numerous awards including the Presidential Early Career Award from President Obama in 2012, and a Pew Scholar Award in 2010.

Following the speaker presentations, the alumni and current departmental faculty and trainees engaged in a discussion of ways to build an effective alumni network. Alumnus Dr. Erinn Goldman (currently Field Medical Director for Oncology at Pfizer; MSP, Fu lab 1999-2004) led the session, introduced the Emory Pharmacology Alumni and Scholars (EmPhAS) Network, and discussed ways to launch and expand this new network. Working with Erinn to organize EmPhAS are Tom Macek, Executive Director, Clinical Development, AveXis Inc (MSP, Conn lab 1994-1999), Sidney VanNess, Founder & CEO, On Call Central (MSP 2006, Kilts lab), and William Caldwell. Following this, Dr. Edward Morgan, current Professor in the department, discussed with the alumni ways that the department can help and assist alumni in their professional endeavors going forward.   There ensued a lively and convivial reception during which old friendships were refreshed and new ones forged, infusing the participants with a renewed sense of community within the Department.

Come visit us, and send us your career profiles (Olga Rivera). We look forward to hearing from each of you soon!

(John Hepler and Edward Morgan)