Lipscomb pharmacy chair receives joint appointment as Vandy researcher

Janel Shoun | 

Scott Akers, Pharm.D., Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Lipscomb University’s College of Pharmacy, has received a joint appointment at Vanderbilt University as Associate Clinical Professor in Medicine within the Division of Clinical Pharmacology.
Akers, whose research interest is converting basic research discoveries by scientists into findings usable to develop treatments for patients, said his appointment will help pave the way for future Lipscomb pharmacy faculty to conduct research at Vanderbilt. His joint role is the first step to bring high-level scientific research to the first College of Pharmacy serving Middle Tennessee.

Prior to coming to Lipscomb in July, Akers directed his own platelet research laboratory at the University of Kentucky. At Lipscomb, Akers is currently working to recruit additional faculty to teach the basic science portion of the pharmacy curriculum.

“These types of partnerships are critical as we create innovative research and educational opportunities for our students and faculty at local research institutions, biotech companies and academic health centers,” said Akers. “It also opens the door for student pharmacists interested in pursuing a research careerto gain access to some of the premier graduate and scientific programs in the world.”

Lipscomb’s College of Pharmacy expects to have 14 faculty by the time it enrolls its first students in fall 2008 and those faculty will be expected to conduct community service and research in local health facilities and universities when not in the classroom, said Roger Davis, Dean of the College of Pharmacy. Such faculty projects also expand opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience with scientific research, he said.

Akers’ appointment to Vanderbilt is the first such research partnership to be established and is expected to be the first of many over the coming years. “This appointment recognizes the quality of scientific expertise that Dr. Akers brings to the College of Pharmacy’s emerging research program. Lipscomb University is privileged to have Dr. Akers as a faculty member and the Vanderbilt relationship to further clinical and scientific research.” said Davis.

In September, Vanderbilt University Medical Center was awarded a $40 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to improve the process of turning basic scientific discoveries into usable information to improve patient care. Lipscomb University was listed on the grant as a partner in this effort and Akers’ appointment at Vanderbilt is another successful step in achieving this partnership.

In response to a growing need for highly qualified pharmacists throughout the nation, Lipscomb University announced in November that it would create the third pharmacy college in the state, the first in Middle Tennessee. The College of Pharmacy is following the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education process to be considered for pre-candidate status by June 2008.