Department News

Family Honors Stony Brook Pharmacology’s Founder With Endowment

The fund will support research and PhD students within the Department of Pharmacological Sciences at Stony Brook.

The family of Arthur Grollman, MD, has established an endowed pharmacology fund at Stony Brook University to honor the late Distinguished Professor. In addition, the Arthur P. Grollman Seminar Room was named for him in the Basic Science Tower within the Department of Pharmacological Sciences.

Congratulations to Holly Colognato, 2023–2024 Chancellor’s Award Winner in Excellence in Faculty Service

This award was developed by faculty for faculty, and only those who have demonstrated a record of sustained, superior service to a wide range of diverse constituents receive this distinction.  Dr. Colognato's contributions to the profession, the campus, SUNY, and the broader community are reflected in her selection for this honor.  Receiving this nomination underscores the respect and esteem of Dr. Colognato's colleagues, students, and campus leadership for her professional accomplishments.

Congratulations to Dr. Ken-Ichi Takemaru, 2023–2024 Chancellor’s Award Winner for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities

This award was developed by faculty for faculty, and only those who have demonstrated a record of sustained scholarship in the sciences, humanities, and professional studies, or consistent creative productivity in the fine and performing arts receive this distinction.  Dr. Takemaru's contributions to developing new knowledge, enhancing the University's vibrancy, and fostering the intellectual and cultural growth of its students are reflected in his selection for this honor.  Receiving this nomination underscores the respect and esteem of Dr.

In Memoriam: Arthur P. Grollman

Dr. Arthur P. Grollman, Distinguished Professor of Pharmacological Sciences, Evelyn G. Glick Professor of Experimental Medicine, and Director of the Zickler Laboratory of Chemical Biology at Stony Brook University School of Medicine—In 1974, Arthur P. Grollman was appointed Chairman (founding) of the Department of Pharmacological Sciences. Under his leadership, Pharmacological Sciences consistently ranked among the top Departments of Pharmacology in the United States.

Francis Johnson Lecture Highlights ‘Undruggable’ Cancer Target

In 1982, researchers discovered the first family of cancer-causing genes, which included the Kirsten rat sarcoma virus (KRAS), a gene that provides instructions for making a protein called K-Ras that relays signals from outside the cell to the cell’s nucleus. The KRAS gene is estimated to be a factor in up to 30 percent of all human cancers, including lung, pancreatic and colorectal cancer. At the time, the protein was deemed “undruggable.”