James Halpert, professor of Pharmacology & Toxicology in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences has been named a Fellow of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET). The organization has chosen to honor its most accomplished members in this manner, and Halpert joins 21 other distinguished scientists in the inaugural class.

An announcement from ASPET described the selection of Fellows as “An honor bestowed on our most distinguished members. Fellows are recognized for their meritorious efforts to advance pharmacology through their scientific achievements, mentorship, and service to the Society.”

Halpert earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Uppsala University in Sweden in 1977. He joined the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Arizona in 1983 and began independent research on the structural basis of cytochrome P450 selectivity. His research was supported continuously by the NIH for 33 years and included a MERIT Award.  His initial work in Arizona was supported by a Faculty Development Award from the PhRMA Foundation, which recognized him again in 2016 with an Award in Excellence.

In 2010 he was the recipient of the Bernard B. Brodie Award in Drug Metabolism from ASPET.  Highlights of his professional service include: chairman of the NIH Pharmacology Study Section; Editor of Drug Metabolism and Disposition; Secretary-Treasurer and President of ASPET; Treasurer of ISSX.

His leadership positions have included Chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Texas Medical Branch; Associate Dean for Scientific Affairs at UC San Diego’s Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; and Dean of the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy from 2014 to 2019.

In his leadership role at UConn, he oversaw a significant increase in funded research in the School of Pharmacy, revamped recruitment and admission of Pharm.D. students, and supported the promotion and hiring of faculty. Together with colleagues in the School of Medicine and at Yale, he was also instrumental in launching PITCH (Program in Innovative Therapeutics for Connecticut’s Health) — a pathway for researchers to find new, potentially life-saving therapeutics based on their discoveries in the lab.

When notified of his selection as an ASPET Fellow, Halpert said, “This is a very proud moment for me. I am especially honored to be included along with some of our country’s most celebrated pharmacologists, many of whom have been colleagues and friends over decades.”

The September 2019 Issue of The Pharmacologist contains an interview with Halpert which details his long career as an academic scientist and his particular research interest in drug metabolism.

ASPET is a 5,000-member scientific society whose members conduct basic and clinical pharmacological research. They work in academia, government, larger pharmaceutical companies, small biotech companies, and non-profit organizations. Members represent the fields of neuroscience, toxicology, chemical biology, pharmacy, cardiovascular research.

ASPET Fellows will be recognized at the organization’s 2020 Annual Meeting in San Diego.