Tom Schmittgen, Ph.D., a professor and chair of pharmaceutics, has been named the V. Ravi Chandran Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the University of Florida College of Pharmacy.
Appointment to a professorship ranks among the highest honors in the college and recognizes outstanding faculty for their research accomplishments. Schmittgen has secured more than $7 million in research funding, authored 85 publications and mentored more than 40 students during his career. Among his publications is one of the most highly cited scientific papers in the world. His research focuses on noncoding RNAs and cancer, with emphasis on the use of microRNAs as therapeutic or diagnostic agents. He is developing extracellular vesicles as targeted drug delivery systems for the treatment of cancer. On Aug. 1, 2018, he began his tenure as chair of the department of pharmaceutics in the college.
V. Ravi Chandran established the professorship in 2000 to promote creative scientific projects, teaching and fellowships at UF. Chandran earned his master’s degree in pharmacy in 1983 and his doctoral degree in pharmaceutical science in 1986 from UF. After graduation, Chandran began his own pharmaceutical company, American Generics Inc. In 2004, he received a UF Distinguished Pharmacy Alumnus Award.
Schmittgen is the fourth UF College of Pharmacy faculty member to hold the Chandran professorship. Nicholas Bodor, Ph.D., a graduate research professor emeritus, was appointed as the inaugural professor from 2000-03. Julie Johnson, Pharm.D., dean and distinguished professor, served in the role from 2004-13. Most recently, Hartmut Derendorf, Ph.D., a distinguished professor emeritus, held the position from 2013 until his retirement on July 31, 2018.