University of Washington Pharmacy Educator to Receive Prestigious Dawson Biotechnology Award

ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) will recognize a pharmacy educator from the University of Washington (UW) for his contributions to contemporary teaching and scholarship in biotechnology. Rodney J. Ho, Ph.D., will receive the prestigious Paul R. Dawson Biotechnology Award during the 2009 AACP Annual Meeting and Seminars in Boston, Mass., July 18-22.

"It gives AACP great pleasure to recognize Dr. Ho with this illustrious award,” explained Lucinda L. Maine, Ph.D., R.Ph., AACP executive vice president and CEO. “Rodney represents the very best of academic pharmacy. He has been at the forefront of biotechnology research and education for decades and has brought numerous accomplishments and innovations to modern medicine and patients with HIV and cancer.”

Ho is the associate dean for research and new initiatives and the Milo Gibaldi endowed professor of pharmaceutics at the UW School of Pharmacy. Throughout his distinguished career, Ho has demonstrated a commitment to the area of biotechnology-based therapeutic agents through both teaching and research. He developed a biotechnology elective course offered to both graduate and professional students at UW in 1992 and co-authored the first textbook of its kind, Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutics: Transforming Proteins and Genes into Drugs, published in 2003.

"I am deeply honored to be chosen for this prestigious award that recognizes individuals for their lifetime contributions to scientific teaching and research,” said Dr. Ho. “The prize money will allow me to further my commitment to inspiring students and the next generation of researchers to be passionate about teaching and research, and to excel in both areas.”

Development and evaluation of liposome formulations has been a life-long research area for Ho. He has examined delivery to specific tissues such as brain and lymphatic tissues, two targets for the treatment of cancer and HIV. He is a recognized expert in the area of liposome formulations, evidenced by his extensive research funding in these areas, publication record and service on NIH review panels, and holds five patents in the area of liposome technology and therapeutics.

Ho received a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis, and a master’s and doctorate degree, both from The University of Tennessee.

The award is named in honor of Amgen former vice president of marketing and sales, Paul R. Dawson, a staunch supporter of education in biotechnology. Ho will receive a double helix glass sculpture and monetary prize during the Examining Excellence Awards Plenary at the 2009 AACP Annual Meeting and Seminars.

The 2009 AACP Annual Meeting and Seminars, Leading the Revolution, will be held July 18-22, 2009 at the Westin Boston Waterfront in Boston, Mass. The conference offers educational programming, exhibits, networking events and award presentations. Registration fees are waived for credentialed journalists. Visit the AACP Web site or contact our media relations representative for more information.

About AACP

Founded in 1900, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) is a national organization representing the interests of pharmacy education and educators. Comprising 111 accredited colleges and schools of pharmacy including more than 5,500 faculty, 50,000 students enrolled in professional programs and 3,900 individuals pursuing graduate study, AACP is committed to excellence in pharmacy education.