Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Seminars and Activities

During the academic year, the department hosts seminars relevant to modern pharmacology, chemical biology, drug discovery and drug delivery. Unless otherwise noted, seminars are at 4 p.m. in room N315.

Verna and Marrs McLean Lectures in Biochemistry

The Verna and Marrs McLean Lecture Series was inaugurated in 1972 by Salih J. Wakil, Distinguished Service Professor and Chairman Emeritus, in honor of an outstanding Texas family for their generous support of the department. Verna and Marrs McLean shared a philosophy of civic and humanitarian responsibility and a keen commitment to education. Although they were personally generous and supported many philanthropic causes, the McLeans believed that their greatest contribution was to set an example that encouraged others to make equally strong commitments. This tradition has been maintained by their children and grandchildren, as exemplified by the endowment of the Ruth McLean Bowman Bowers Professorship, which supports a faculty member in the department, as well as the establishment of the Ruth McLean Bowman Bowers “Excellence in Research” Award. This endowed lecture series was inaugurated in 1972 in honor of an outstanding Texas family for their generous support of the department.

This annual endowed lectureship honors Professor Joseph Schoolar M.D., Ph.D. (1928-2013). He was professor of Pharmacology and Psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine. He was born and grew up in the Mississippi Delta. At 17 he joined the U.S. Army and was assigned to Clemson College as an engineering student. He was then transferred to the Army Japanese Language School at the University of Minnesota. After completing his training at the University of Minnesota, he served in General Douglas MacArthur’s Headquarters.

Upon his discharge from the Army, he entered the University of Tennessee, receiving his AB in 1950 and MS (Cell Physiology) in 1952. His research for the master’s degree involved the effects of x-radiation on living tissue, particularly the central nervous system. He then joined the laboratory of Dr. John Rust in Oak Ridge, Tenn., working on the effects of ionizing radiation on living systems, again emphasizing the CNS.

In 1954, he moved to the University of Chicago as a graduate student under Dr. Lloyd Roth. His dissertation focus was the blood-brain barrier, and with Dr. Charles Barlow, he developed an autoradiographic technique for use in a variety of studies on the brain, chiefly drug distribution and cerebral blood flow. He was awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy degree in Pharmacology in 1957, and a Doctorate of Medicine in 1960.

After a general rotation internship at the University of Chicago, Dr. Schoolar moved to Baylor College of Medicine for residency training in psychiatry. He then joined the staff of the Texas Research Institute of Mental Sciences as well as the Baylor faculty, the latter jointly in the Departments of Pharmacology and Psychiatry. His work has been in research, training, and clinical practice in psychopharmacology and psychiatry.

Annual Department Research Conference

Each year, the Department holds a research conference. The retreat is a blend of scientific and social activities.