Donald Mager named chair of UB Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Donald E. Mager, PharmD, PhD, has been appointed chair of the University at Buffalo Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Mager is an internationally recognized scientist in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. In his past work as vice chair of the department, he played a key role in developing and maintaining strong relationships throughout the pharmaceutical industry along with increasing understanding and appreciation of the unique role the department has played in the development of contemporary pharmaceutical sciences. 

As chair, he will continue to strengthen these important roles as well as focus on the leadership of the department in drug development and other trending areas within the pharmaceutical sciences.

Mager succeeds Marilyn Morris, PhD, who during her six years as chair was responsible for leading many key initiatives, including the establishment of a program in systems pharmacology, protein engineering and biologically-based drug delivery supported by a $1 million investment from the State University of New York Empire Innovation Program, and the launch of a new Master of Science degree program in pharmacometrics and personalized medicine.

“Don joins a long line of truly distinguished chairs to emerge from the faculty. I have profound respect for the history of this department and its unique role in the development of the pharmaceutical sciences, and unbounded optimism for its continued success under Don’s stewardship,” said Gary Pollack, PhD, dean of the UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. “I also want to acknowledge and thank Dr. Marilyn Morris, who has provided outstanding leadership as chair for the past six years. She is leaving an extremely strong foundation upon which Don can build.”

Mager joined UB in 2004. His research has led to the creation of new theoretical concepts and applications related to target-mediated drug disposition, the assessment of properties of monoclonal antibodies, and the development of cancer chemotherapy models. He has received consistent federal and industry funding over his career, published over 155 articles in peer reviewed journals, and has been an invited presenter at over 200 national and international meetings and symposia.

Mager is a fellow and former president of the International Society of Pharmacometrics (ISoP), and he is a fellow and the current president of the American College of Clinical Pharmacology. He is also an appointed fellow of the American Academy for the Advancement of Science, American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) and the International Pharmaceutical Federation.

He received the AAPS New Investigator Award in 2007, an ISoP Innovation Award, the American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Malle Jurima–Romet Mid-Career Leadership Award, and a State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activity, all awarded in 2017.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to be named the next chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. I would like to add my appreciation for Dr. Marilyn Morris and past chairs Drs. William Jusko and Ho-Leung Fung for their outstanding stewardship,” said Mager. “Our department has a rich tradition of excellence, and I am excited to be working with all members of our department and school in upholding this tradition while advancing the discovery and dissemination of new knowledge in pursuit of innovative and improved therapeutics.”

Mager is a graduate faculty member in experimental therapeutics at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and serves as president and CEO of Enhanced Pharmacodynamics, LLC.

He received his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy in 1991, his PharmD in 2000 and his PhD in 2002, all from UB.