Contact: Ranjit Arab, University Relations, (785) 864-8855.
LAWRENCE--Ronald T. Borchardt, Summerfield distinguished professor of pharmaceutical chemistry at the University of Kansas, has been elected president of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, to take office in January 2001.
"It reflects positively on KU, his department and our school," said Jack Fincham, dean of pharmacy at KU. "It is really speaks highly of his leadership attributes as well as his scientific expertise."
That scientific expertise is the result of a career that spans more than three decades and includes a long list of awards from some of the most esteemed scientific communities in the world. Last spring, Borchardt was chosen as one of just 21 scientists worldwide for the Millennial Award by the Millennial World Congress.
Organizations that have recognized Borchardt's work include the American Heart Association, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the International Pharmaceutical Federation, among many others. He also previously received several awards from the AAPS for his teaching and research.
Borchardt, who has been involved with the AAPS since its inception in 1986, said he was honored to have the opportunity to lead the organization.
"Over the years, AAPS has provided the forum for me and my students to present our scientific results. Therefore, I feel indebted to the association and I am happy to accept this leadership role."
Borchardt said he has five goals that he hopes will enhance the already prestigious organization. They are maximizing use of electronic media to facilitate information exchange; fostering alliances with other scientific organizations; globalizing the organization's activities; increasing participation of drug discovery and clinical development scientists in AAPS; and utilizing the expertise of AAPS industrial scientists in the education of graduate students in the pharmaceutical sciences.
While the organization's name implies it is concerned with domestic issues, Borchardt said he hopes to make the AAPS a more visible player on the global scene.
"It is the most prestigious pharmaceutical association in the world," he said. "Yet we haven't done a good enough job of communicating our findings to the larger world community."
The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists is a professional, scientific society of more than 10,000 members employed in academics, industry, government and other research institutes worldwide. The AAPS aims to advance science through the open exchange of scientific knowledge, serve as an information resource, and contribute to human health through pharmaceutical research and development.
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