Morris elected president of AAPS

Published May 15, 2014 This content is archived.

Marilyn Morris, vice chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, has been elected president of pharmaceutical sciences’ premier organization, the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS).

The AAPS is a professional, scientific society of approximately 12,000 members employed in industry, academia, government and other research institutes worldwide. Founded in 1986, AAPS provides a dynamic international forum for the exchange of knowledge among scientists to enhance their contributions to public health.

James M. O’Donnell, dean of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, noted the significance of Morris’ election as AAPS president.

“Dr. Morris’ election to the presidency of AAPS demonstrates the high regard in which she is held by her peers in the pharmaceutical sciences,” says O’Donnell who recently named Morris vice chair of pharmaceutical sciences.

“This results from her outstanding research on drug transporters and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships that has been supported by highly competitive NIH grants, her mentoring of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and her service to the field. I feel fortunate to have her as a faculty member in the school and appreciate her willingness to take on a larger leadership role.”

Morris joined the faculty of the UB Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in 1985.

Her research focuses on membrane transport proteins, their influence on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs, and their use as therapeutic targets. She has published extensively on renal transport, hepatobiliary transport and hepatic clearance models, and the ATP-dependent binding cassette and monocarboxylate transporters.

Morris’ recent research is focused on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of monocarboxylic acids, including the drug abuse of γ-hydroxybutyric acid. Other current research projects involve the dietary components flavonoids and organic isothiocyanates, with an emphasis on their potential for transport and metabolic drug interactions, and their role in cancer therapy and chemoprevention.

She is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists. Among her other honors are a UB Distinguished Postdoctoral Mentor Award, an AAPS Service Award from the Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and Drug Metabolism section, a SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Activity, and a nomination for Teacher of the Year, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.