Two pharmacy dean finalists invited to visit

A search for the new dean of the College of Pharmacy is heading for completion as the search committee and administration have selected two finalists — James P. Kehrer and John E. Murphy — who will be invited to visit Washington.

While numerous meetings and interviews are slated, all faculty and staff are invited to attend the open sessions, which will be announced through WSU Announcements as soon as schedules are finalized.

* James P. Kehrer, director of the Center for Molecular and Cellular Toxicology and Gustavus and Louise Pfeiffer Professor of Toxicology at the University of Texas at Austin, is scheduled to visit May 30-June 1. He received his B.S. in pharmacy from Purdue University and his Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Iowa.

Kehrer’s research interests are: molecular mechanisms by which acrolein, a cyclophosphamide metabolite, affects apoptosis and cell proliferation; the role of acrolein in the anticancer efficacy of this drug; thioredoxin and apoptosis; the role of thioredoxin in signaling; mechanisms of apoptosis induced by lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors; the role of lipocalin expression (24p3 and NGAL) and Akt signaling pathways in COX-2 inhibitor apoptotic activity; and free radical toxicity; glutathione and apoptosis.

Prior to becoming director in 2003, Kehrer served as head of the Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology from 1991-2004. He has been at the University of Texas since 1980. He received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Purdue University School of Pharmacy in 2004 and is serving as editor for the Americas and Japan of Toxicology Letters as well as a deputy chair for the Biochemical Journal.

* John E. Murphy, professor and head, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, and assistant dean at the University of Arizona, is scheduled to visit May 31-June 2. He received his B.S. in pharmacy and his doctor of pharmacy from the University of Florida.

Murphy’s research interests include: outcome analysis of pharmacy services and drug therapy, pharmacy education, and clinical pharmacokinetics.

Before joining the University of Arizona in 1991, Murphy was professor and vice chair of Pharmacy Practice at Mercer University in Atlanta, and director of Pharmacokinetic Services at a 500-bed medical center. He served on the board of directors of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists for three years and was its president in 1997-98. He has also served as president of the Georgia Society of Hospital Pharmacists and is active in several pharmacy organizations.

He is a fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, the American College of Clinical Pharmacology, and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. He has published more than 160 papers on clinical pharmacy, pharmacy education, and pharmacokinetics and is a frequent speaker at continuing education meetings for pharmacists.

Bill Fassett, dean of the College of Pharmacy, will rejoin the faculty May 15, and WSU Spokane Chancellor Brian Pitcher will take on added responsibility as acting dean of the college until the new permanent dean is hired.

The search committee was appointed in December 2004. Nick Lovrich, former interim chancellor of WSU Spokane and professor of Political Science, and Robert C. Bates, provost and academic vice president, are chairing the search committee.

The search committee has been acting on behalf of the students, faculty and staff to identify candidates to come to campus and the state for interviews. There will be many opportunities for the candidates to interact with the community at large during their visits. Everyone is strongly urged to attend the interviews and provide feedback to the provost.

Search committee members are:

Danial Baker, Associate Dean, Clinical Programs, Professor, Pharmacotherapy

Sayed Daoud, Associate Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Linda Garrelts MacLean, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pharmacotherapy

Mel Haberman, Associate Dean for Research, Nursing

B. Paige Lawrence, Associate Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Mark Norris, Beall’s Pharmacy

Raymond Quock, Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Luke Rice, Advanced Practice Experience Coordinator, Pharmacotherapy

Winsor Schmidt, Professor and Chair, Health Policy and Administration

Bryan Slinker, Professor and Chair, VCAPP

Elaine Vincent, Assistant Director of Development, College of Pharmacy