Colleagues -
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Sudha Chakrapani, PhD, as the interim chair of the Department of Pharmacology.
A member of the School of Medicine faculty since 2010, Dr. Chakrapani is the Joseph T. Wearn, MD, University Professor in Medicine; director of the Cryo-Electron Microscopy Core; and the director of the Cleveland Center for Membrane and Structural Biology. Prior to joining our faculty, she received her PhD from the University of Buffalo and completed her postdoctoral research at The University of Chicago.
The pharmacology department is known for its rich history of discovery, innovation and excellence in fundamental pathways important in human disease, developing translatable models to target therapeutics and defining the structure of challenging molecules critical to cell function.
I have identified the continued growth and enhancement of the department as a priority for the School of Medicine. Recognized as a gifted scientist and collaborator, Dr. Chakrapani is the ideal candidate to lead the department during this period of transition until a permanent chair is identified.
Dr. Chakrapani's research focuses on the structure of ligand-gated ion channels, and she will co-chair the upcoming Gordon conferences on this subject. She is the recipient of an NIH R35 and has been instrumental in developing the Center for Membrane and Structural Biology. As interim chair, she will oversee the expansion of the department faculty and training programs and the development of team science groups.
I want to share the enthusiastic support of Hope Barkoukis, PhD, Chair of the Department of Nutrition, for Dr. Chakrapani serving as the interim chair. She said, "Abraham Lincoln once said, "The best way to predict the future is to create it." The appointment of Sudha to interim chair represents an enormous opportunity for the department to create its own shared vision of the future and work together for all to succeed. Congratulations to Sudha and the department."
I would also like to thank Ed Yu, PhD, who has tirelessly served as interim chair. He shared these thoughts on Dr. Chakrapani as the department's next leader, "Sudha is a rising star. She is highly energetic with great leadership skills. She is an outstanding scientist, and we are excited to have her lead our department."
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Chakrapani on her new role as interim chair.
Thank you,
Stan Gerson, MD
Dean and Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs
School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University
Director, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (acting)
Director, National Center for Regenerative Medicine