December 6, 2000

Contact: Lynn Bretz, University Relations, (785) 864-8866.

Inaugural lecture examines life of neurons

LAWRENCE -- Eli K. Michaelis, university distinguished professor in pharmacology and toxicology, will present his inaugural lecture, "Life Among Neurons: Excitation, Depression, Alcoholism and Aging," at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, in Alderson Auditorium at the Kansas Union.

Michaelis, director of the Higuchi Biosciences Center and chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, was named a distinguished professor in July 1999.

Michaelis "has become a world leader and authority" in his field, according to Charles J. Decedue, executive director of the Higuchi Biosciences Center.

"There are few people on campus who give as much to the university as he does," Decedue said. "Eli is genuinely a real nice person and is fiercely loyal to the University of Kansas."

Michaelis joined KU's faculty as an assistant professor in the human development and biochemistry departments in 1973. During his time at KU, he has developed an internationally acclaimed program of research and education that ranges from the behavioral sciences to the physical sciences.

"Eli sits on the boards of several major pharmaceutical companies," Decedue said. "The purpose is to help these pharmaceutical companies keep apprised of what is happening in rapidly advancing fields of scientific research."

According to Decedue, Michaelis has become a world leader and authority on the molecular basis of brain function, the connection of brain biochemistry to learning and behavior, and the linkage between molecular events in the nervous system and such disorders as alcoholism and the diseases of aging.

Michaelis earned his bachelor's degree in 1966 from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Rutherford, N.J., and his M.D. at the St. Louis University School of Medicine in 1969. He earned his doctorate in physiology and biophysics in 1973 from the University of Kentucky School of Medicine, Lexington.

In 1992, Michaelis received the Dolph Simons Sr. Award for research excellence in the biomedical sciences. In 1997, the St. Louis University School of Medicine awarded Michaelis its Alumnus Merit Award. He received the MERIT award from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism for the period 1987 to 1991.

Michaelis was named professor and chair of pharmacology and toxicology and director of the Center for Biomedical Research in 1988, and became director of the Higuchi Biosciences Center in 1989. He was named director of the Center for Neurobiology and Immunology Research at KU in 1992.