Tsuji Named Edelman Endowed Chair in Experimental Therapeutics

The endowed chair will support leading scientific research dedicated to accelerating the discovery of novel therapeutic agents into effective treatments for antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which the World Health Organization cites as a significant global threat. This strategic investment aims to drive innovative research to bridge the development of novel treatments and catalyze drug development to treat AMR and other infectious diseases.

Brian Tsuji, PharmD, professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, associate dean, Clinical and Translational Sciences, and division head, Division of Clinical and Translational Therapeutics, a renowned expert in treatment of infectious diseases, has been appointed the inaugural holder of the Edelman Endowed Chair in Experimental Therapeutics. Tsuji’s internationally recognized groundbreaking work focuses on the development of innovative antibiotic therapeutics to improve the care of patients. He is the principal investigator on two $3.8 million National Institutes of Health grants studying antimicrobial resistance. His laboratory has pioneered key PK/PD relationships for a number of antibiotics to guide dose selection in Phase 1, 2, and 3 clinical trials that were crucial in bringing these drugs to market and defining their clinical use.

“I am so very grateful to Linda for supporting the school and my research team’s work,” says Tsuji. “We will now be able to make critical new strides in solving bottlenecks in infectious diseases and devise novel solutions for patients who have no treatment options – this is the work that drives us.”

The Edelman Chair appointment will allow Tsuji to elevate his past work in support of an emerging University at Buffalo research center: The Center of Infectious Diseases Next Generation Therapeutics (IDagen). Tsuji and research leaders from across the university are joining forces to launch this new center which will lead the discovery of novel therapies to combat emerging pathogens and improve patient outcomes. Coupled with a variety of new National Institutes of Health R01 research grants led by IDagen faculty, the creation of this infectious diseases center will place UB and SPPS at the forefront of this critical research and will position the center to become a national research hub for infectious disease therapeutics. Tsuji acknowledges these strategic endeavors would not be possible without Dean Pollack, the amazing faculty and staff at SPPS, and the hard work of his incredible team of students and laboratory scientists. Most pointedly he says he is grateful to his mentors including Alan Forrest, PharmD, former SPPS faculty member and renowned pharmacometrician.

"We are deeply grateful for Linda’s generous support and commitment to our school’s mission and vison," said Gary Pollack, PhD, dean, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. "This endowed chair will allow Dr. Tsuji to advance his ground-breaking research and position the university to become a leading research hub in developing new therapeutic agents and treatment approaches to combat the most serious infectious diseases. Philanthropic support like this is so important and allows us to recruit and retain top talent, foster cutting-edge collaborations, and push the boundaries of what is possible in therapeutic development."

Edelman was a dedicated pharmacist and wanted her legacy to provide sustained support for the advancement of pharmacy practice. The school and university are profoundly grateful to Linda for the opportunity to enhance efforts in this important clinical research area.