April 2011

A leading scientist in clinical pharmacology at the Food and Drug Administration is taking a new academic role at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy to improve drug development and create tools and approaches to make sure new products are safe, effective and within FDA-regulated standards. Lawrence J. Lesko, Ph.D., director of the Office of Clinical Pharmacology at the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, will lead the college’s new pharmacometrics and systems pharmacology initiative in the interdisciplinary Institute of Therapeutic Innovation at the UF Research and Academic Center, now under construction in Orlando.

Paul Doering, a distinguished service professor in pharmacotherapy and translational research at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy, has retired after 35 years of outstanding service to the college. Doering plans to continue his work with students and pharmacists through lectures and seminars. Rumor has it that he is working with the Department of Pharmacy Services at UF&Shands on a special project to help pharmacy students make the transition from the classroom to the clinic less difficult.

Pharmacy technician jobs, once sought after by younger workers, are attracting older workers as new licensing laws take effect. While economic uncertainty and unstable job markets linger, many workers, not ready to retire, now see these jobs as stable and fulfilling second careers. The change in demographic became apparent after the first year of the University of Florida College of Pharmacy’s 14-week training program for pharmacy technicians. Program Development Coordinator Judy Riffee, R.Ph., began teaching pharmacy technicians at the college’s Gainesville campus in 2008 — before new legislation was proposed.