Ceremony Honors James Polli
Chair established by the family and friends of the late Ralph Shangraw is presented to biopharmaceutics researcher
By Becky Ceraul
February 24, 2009
James E. Polli, PhD, RPh, a professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the School of Pharmacy, was honored at a reception on Feb. 16 for his recent appointment as the School’s Ralph F. Shangraw/Noxell Endowed Chair in the Pharmaceutical Sciences. Dr. Polli has been on faculty at the School of Pharmacy since 1993, and has made invaluable contributions in his current position as vice-chair for academic affairs in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and in his previous position as director of the department’s graduate program.
At a ceremony attended by dozens of School of Pharmacy faculty, staff and alumni, representatives from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, Dr. Polli’s family and the family of Dr. Ralph F. Shangraw, Dr. Polli was honored for his innovation in and dedication to the field of oral biopharmaceutics, which has resulted in funding from the pharmaceutical industry, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health. His work with the bile acid transporter exploits the use of this transporter expressed in the small intestine to enhance the delivery of pro-drug substrates. In addition to his work on the bile acid transporter, he has extended his research program to address public quality standards including work on extension of biopharmaceutical classification system waivers, dissolution testing, novel bioequivalence metrics and anti-counterfeit technology. Dr. Polli recently received funding from the FDA for clinical studies to determine excipient effects, as well as formulation scaling between humans and animals, where dosage forms are manufactured at the School.
“Jim’s appointment as the Shangraw/Noxell Endowed Chair is a reflection of his outstanding research achievements, and his commitment to the School and the education of both professional and graduate students,” said Natalie D. Eddington, PhD, dean of the School of Pharmacy.
The Ralph F. Shangraw/Noxell Endowed Chair in the Pharmaceutical Sciences was established in honor of Dr. Ralph F. Shangraw, a distinguished educator and scholar at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, who devoted his career to academic research, teaching, and service. Dr. Shangraw made outstanding contributions in the areas of pharmaceutics, industrial pharmacy and drug policy and contributed to the education of countless generations of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists. “Dr. Shangraw’s seminal studies on the improper dissolution of calcium supplements led the FDA to change its regulations related to how these supplements are manufactured,” said Dr. Eddington. “That work led to an $8 million grant from the FDA to the School of Pharmacy to continue working on the formulation of medications. Dr. Shangraw also developed formulation guidelines that are still used by the pharmaceutical industry today. He was a true pioneer in his field and inspired many scientists under him, especially Dr. Polli.”
“Our family is so pleased to see Jim Polli holding the Ralph F.Shangraw/Noxell Chair,” said Marilyn Shangraw, wife of the late Dr. Shangraw. “This represents a great milestone in the establishment of the Chair. We want to thank the University and Dean Eddington for their support and for selecting such an immensely qualified person to continue the legacy.”
When Dr. Polli joined the School of Pharmacy in 1993, his office was located next door to Dr. Shangraw’s office. They formed an instant connection over their alma mater, the University of Michigan, and their shared scientific interests. “Dr. Shangraw had an unbelievable impact on my life,” he said. “As a junior assistant professor at the time, he taught me to become an expert in something and to do the best I can on a daily basis. He was a fantastic scientist who was well loved by many. I am deeply honored by this appointment and by the support of his family, my colleagues and family.”
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