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AAPS PRESSROOM: Media Kit
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Media Kit

AAPS Pharmaceutical Scientist Expert Resource Service

To better accommodate media requests for interviews with experts in the pharmaceutical sciences, the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) offers the Pharmaceutical Scientist Expert Resource Service. This service provides knowledgeable sources who can give background information across the broad range of the pharmaceutical sciences.

Here’s how it works. The Pharmaceutical Scientist Expert Resource Service instantly draws from the database of top experts in the pharmaceutical sciences and refers reporters directly to pharmaceutical scientists with expertise in areas such as:

  • drug discovery
  • drug design
  • drug development
  • drug analysis
  • drug production
  • quality control
  • drug safety
  • clinical evaluation
  • drug registration
  • distribution and utilization of drugs and drug delivery systems

For instance, whom can you turn to for expertise in the areas of dietary supplements, drug safety or pharmacogenomics? AAPS can put you in touch with experts who know these hot issues inside and out.

The world of pharmaceutical sciences is also filled with other stories and thought-provoking personalities. Our database allows editors, writers and broadcasters to share in-depth background information from these sources with readers, listeners and viewers.

To access this service, simply contact Debbie Werfel, Communications Manager, at 703-248-4743, WerfelD@aaps.org or Jim Greif, Communications Assistant, at 703-248-4744, GreifJ@aaps.org. We’ll quickly put you in touch with an accessible and reliable expert to provide the information you need for your story.

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About AAPS

The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS), founded in 1986, is an individual membership society composed of pharmaceutical scientists who have joined together to serve both society and their own common professional interests. By the end of the Association’s first year, 2,876 individuals had signed on as charter members. As of January 2001, AAPS boasts more than 11,000 members.

AAPS is not a trade organization. AAPS is a non-profit organization that serves as an educational, scientific and scholarly body.

AAPS offers vital benefits to the pharmaceutical scientists who constitute its membership including: an annual meeting; numerous conferences, workshops, symposia and other networking opportunities; print publications; and online initiatives such as AAPS PharmSciSM and PharmSciTechSM, exclusively online scientific journals.

Toward fulfillment of its primary purpose, AAPS recognizes its responsibility to support and encourage high standards of education for pharmaceutical scientists and to actively participate in the international scientific community.

Mission Statement
The mission of AAPS is to serve the pharmaceutical sciences, promote the vitality of the pharmaceutical sciences and scientists, and represent scientific interests within academia, government, and other private and public institutions.

The purpose of AAPS is to serve its membership, the pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical and biotechnological community, health professions, and the interest of the public health by:

  • Providing a forum for open interchange and dissemination of scientific knowledge;
  • Influencing the formation of public policy relevant to health and related issues of public concern;
  • Promoting the pharmaceutical sciences and providing for recognition of individual achievement; and
  • Fostering education, career growth and the personal development of its members.

Recognizing that modern science is conducted in an integrated fashion comprising many disciplines, AAPS seeks to foster the integration of those sciences related to discovery, design, analysis, development, production, quality control, safety, clinical evaluation, regulation, distribution and utilization of drugs and drug delivery systems. Thus, AAPS should serve as the primary focus of and forum for interest in these disciplines.

AAPS Sections
AAPS members usually join one or more sections related to their disciplines. The organization’s nine sections include:

  • Analysis and Pharmaceutical Quality
  • Biotechnology
  • Clinical Sciences
  • Economic, Marketing and Management Sciences
  • Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry
  • Pharmaceutical Technologies
  • Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery
  • Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and Drug Metabolism
  • Regulatory Sciences

For more information on AAPS Sections, visit https://www.aapspharmaceutica.com/resources/sections/index.htm.

AAPS Focus Groups
To help further the exchange of scientific knowledge, AAPS supports the formation of focus groups on specific topics of interest to members. Current AAPS Focus Groups include: animal health, bioanalytical, cellular and molecular pharmaceutics, modeling and simulation, dermatopharmaceutics, drug metabolism, drug transport and uptake, excipients, expert systems, gene therapy, inhalation technology, ligand binding assay bioanalytical, lipid-based drug delivery systems, microdialysis, nasal drug delivery, nutraceutical, ocular drug delivery disposition, oral absorption, pharmaceutical polymers, pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics, population pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, preformulation, process development, special population studies, stability, and sterile products.

For more information on AAPS Focus Groups, visit www.aapspharmaceutica.com/resources/focus/index.htm.

Snapshot of AAPS Members
AAPS Membership is open to any individual who supports the objectives of the association and is willing to contribute to the achievement of those objectives. AAPS members come from industry, academia, government and private institutions. Members are engaged in research, teaching, product development, quality control, clinical testing, regulatory affairs, economic affairs, administration, management, and any other activity having a common denominator of pharmaceuticals and medicinal agents.

Membership Profile Male: 73%
Female: 27%
Average Age: 43 years old
Years’ Experience: 16 years
Employed Full-Time: 97%
Percent Holding Ph.D.: 64.2%*
Percent Holding Pharm.D.: 49%*

Average Salary:
$93,000 Industry
$85,200 Academia
$86,000 Government

Where Employed:
87% Industry
10% Academia
2% Government
1% Other

Employment Location:
15% New Jersey
13% California
9% Pennsylvania
6% New York
57% Other States

*Some members hold both degrees, thus percentage can exceed 100%.

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Background on the Pharmaceutical Sciences

What does a Pharmaceutical Scientist do? A pharmaceutical scientist develops medicine that enhances life. A pharmaceutical scientist discovers life-saving medicines and devices that allow healthcare professionals to treat patients.

Pharmaceutical scientists are instrumental in the discovery and development of innovative drugs that save thousands of lives and improve the quality of life for many others. Pharmaceutical scientists have a broad base of scientific knowledge and are employed by pharmaceutical companies; they work as researchers and professors at universities, as regulatory scientists for agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and as researchers for government agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

What are the Pharmaceutical Sciences? The pharmaceutical sciences combine a broad range of scientific disciplines that are critical to the discovery and development of new drugs and therapies. Pharmaceutical sciences are broadly classified into the following main categories.

  • Analysis and Pharmaceutical Quality - analytical techniques, regulatory and compendial matters and quality assurance.
  • Biotechnology - research, development and commercialization of biotechnology-based pharmaceuticals.
  • Clinical Sciences - the application of pharmaceutical sciences in the clinical setting including trial design, analysis of therapeutic efficacy and safety, drug-drug interactions, and special populations in therapeutic situations.
  • Economic, Marketing and Management Sciences - drug policy development, economic evaluation, marketing and management, and outcome assessment of pharmaceutical products and services regarding their development, distribution and use.
  • Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry - medicinal, natural products, molecular and structural chemistry and drug design and discovery.
  • Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery - physical, chemical, biological, medicinal and engineering sciences, characterization and optimization of drugs, formulation materials, formulations, devices and performance in in vitro and in vivo.
  • Pharmaceutical Technologies - pharmaceutical formulation and manufacturing process technology.
  • Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and Drug Metabolism - the biological action of drugs and chemicals as well as their disposition and biotransformation.
  • Regulatory Affairs - the governing and regulation of the drug approval and distribution processes.

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AAPS Meetings

AAPS Annual Meeting The AAPS Annual Meeting and Exposition is the premier gathering of more than 8,000 pharmaceutical scientists from around the world. During symposia, podium and poster sessions, attendees discuss a host of issues, including groundbreaking research presented by members. In addition to multiple research presentations, scientists focus on other issues important to the future of therapeutics. Members can also participate in a variety of roundtable discussions, aimed at such topics as changes to an approved application, environmental assessments, drug product manufacture, export regulations, packaging, etc.

The 2001 AAPS Annual Meeting will be held October 21-25 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado. The meeting will explore the theme, “Pharmaceutical Sciences: Climbing New Heights.” Future meeting sites include Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 2002; and Salt Lake City, Utah in 2003.

Members of the media are invited to cover the meeting. AAPS provides an onsite press room at the meeting. Visit the AAPS Press Room in September 2001 for details on the upcoming AAPS Annual Meeting, including press registration information.

Other Meetings AAPS offers a wide selection of workshops and meetings on exciting topics connected with the pharmaceutical sciences. In 2001, AAPS will sponsor workshops, forums and meetings with the following topics:

  • Accelerating Development of Solid Dosage Forms in the New Millennium
  • Practical Approaches to Current Pre-Approval Inspection Initiatives: Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)
  • Pharmaceutical Congress of the Americas
  • Assuring Quality and Performance of Sustained and Controlled Release Parenterals
  • Dissolution: Current and Emerging Practices - Methodology Technology and Regulatory Issues
  • Streamlining the Chemistry and Manufacturing Controls (CMC) Regulatory Process for New Drug Applications (NDAs) and Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs)
  • Communication and Team Building
  • State of the Art in Designing Controlled Release Solid Oral Dosage Forms
  • Computer Simulation and Its Role in Drug Development Research

For up-to-date information on other AAPS meetings and educational opportunities, visit www.aapspharmaceutica.com/meetings/other/index.htm.

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Scientific News & Research

AAPS’ scientific journals feature the latest news and peer-reviewed research in the pharmaceutical sciences. Media are invited to use these journals as a source for potential news stories.

PharmSciSM PharmSciSM, www.pharmsci.org, is AAPS’ first electronic-only journal, covering the areas of drug discovery, development and therapy. AAPS PharmSci allows AAPS to disseminate scientific information worldwide by taking full advantage of the electronic publication medium. The AAPS PharmSci web site includes the publication of peer-reviewed articles with multimedia features, encompassing 3D graphics, video, interactive figures and databases, and sound. The abstracts for the AAPS Annual Meeting are featured in a supplemental issue of AAPS PharmSci. Visit www.aaps.org to access the AAPS Annual Meeting Abstracts.

PharmSciTechSM PharmSciTechSM, www.pharmscitech.com, is AAPS’ second electronic-only journal, covering the basic and applied research on pharmaceutical dosage forms, both traditional and novel, including the emerging area of biopharmaceuticals. The goal of the journal is to disseminate scientific and technical information on drug product design, development, evaluation and processing worldwide, taking full advantage of web publishing.

Pharmaceutical Research Published monthly, this peer-reviewed publication focuses on fundamental and applied original research related to drugs, drug delivery systems and diagnosis and therapy. Pharmaceutical Research also covers recent developments in the pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences. The journal publishes rigorously refereed, original research articles and reports. Pharmaceutical Research is now available online in its entirety in the members-only/e-subscriber section of AAPS Pharmaceutica, www.aapspharmaceutica.com. For copies of this journal, contact Debbie Werfel at 703-248-4743 or WerfelD@aaps.org.

Other Journals The Journal of Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management, a quarterly periodical, covers the broad areas of drug use, economics, distribution, marketing and compliance. The Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis offers articles on analytical methodology, instrumentation, computation, interpretation, and other analysis topics. Additional specialty journals focused on more specific AAPS sections may be sponsored under the auspices of the society in the future.

AAPS Newsmagazine AAPS Newsmagazine, AAPS’ monthly news magazine, provides the latest news about the association and issues relating to pharmaceutical science and pharmaceutical scientists. According to a recent readership survey, the publication is read cover-to-cover by more than 95 percent of AAPS members. For a complementary subscription, please contact Debbie Werfel at 703-248-4743 or WerfelD@aaps.org.

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AAPS Pharmaceutica

AAPS Pharmaceutica, www.aapspharmaceutica.com, is the complete portal to essential pharmaceutical science information, products and services.

AAPS Pharmaceutica offers:
Cutting edge research - peer-reviewed papers - contained in the industry’s acclaimed journals:

  • AAPS PharmSciSM, covering all areas of drug discovery, development and therapy (complete content available online),
  • AAPS PharmSciTechSM, featuring basic and applied research on pharmaceutical dosage forms, both traditional and novel, including the emerging area of biopharmaceuticals (complete content available online), and
  • Pharmaceutical Research, the industry’s premier journal, with the highest citations (now available online in its entirety in the members-only/e-subscriber section).

The latest information on important AAPS events such as the AAPS Annual Meeting and innovative workshops on timely topics such as “Practical Approaches to Current Pre-Approval Inspection Initiatives,” “Assuring Quality and Performance of Sustained and Controlled Release Parenterals,” and “Dissolution: Current and Emerging Practices; Methodology, Technology and Regulatory Issues.”

News Room with breaking news in the pharmaceutical sciences:

  • Access press releases on the latest research findings.
  • Preview new scientific research by accessing the AAPS Annual Meeting Abstracts and AAPS journals such as AAPS PharmSci and AAPS PharmSciTech.
  • Find the latest AAPS position statements.
  • Learn more about the AAPS Annual Meeting, including program highlights, news room, hotel and registration information, sites of future annual meetings, and other special events.
  • Learn more about the background of the pharmaceutical sciences, the history of AAPS and future AAPS workshops and meetings.
  • Discover more about AAPS’ 11,000 members, including a detailed membership profile.
  • Access the biographies of AAPS leaders.

Valuable AAPS resources and services for locating and learning about more than 750 exhibitors, suppliers and sponsors in the pharmaceutical industry, as well as contacts within the federal government and related organizations.

AAPS Online Career Center

  • No longer a benefit exclusively available to AAPS Members, the career center includes access to resume posting and searching, recruitment service information, career articles, employment opportunities, and mentoring program information.

Reuters News

  • Access a selected sampling of the latest pharmaceutical and health news every business day

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AAPS Executive Council Biographies

Ronald T. Borchardt, Ph.D.

Ronald T. Borchardt, Ph.D. is the 2001 President of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS). Dr. Borchardt is the Solon E. Summerfield Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Kansas-Lawrence. Professor Borchardt also holds an academic appointment in the Department of Biochemistry (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences).

Dr. Borchardt’s research interests include aspects of both drug design and drug delivery. In the area of drug design, his laboratory has focused on the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of inhibitors of S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet)-dependent methyltransferases. In the area of drug delivery, Borchardt’s research efforts include the development and utilization of epithelial and endothelial cell culture systems for studying drug transport and metabolism, the development of rational strategies to enhance peptide membrane permeability, and the development of strategies for stabilizing proteins and peptides to prevent their chemical degradation.

During his academic career, Dr. Bochardt has received numerous awards and honors for his teaching and research accomplishments including: Volwiler Research Achievement Award from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (1998); AAPS Meritorious Manuscript Award (1998); the Paul Dawson Biotechnology Award (1997); AAPS Distinguished Pharmaceutical Scientist Award (1997); Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (1995); Takeru and Aya Higuchi Memorial Lectureship Award from the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology of Japan (1993); and AAPS Fellow (1988).

Dr. Borchardt is the author or co-author of approximately 400 scientific publications and 350 abstracts. He is the editor of six books and a series of books entitled “Pharmaceutical Biotechnology” (10 volumes published to date and 4 volumes in various states of development.)

Dr. Borchardt received his undergraduate degree (B.S. in Pharmacy) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his graduate education (Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry) from the University of Kansas-Lawrence.

Diane J. Burgess, Ph.D.

Diane J. Burgess, Ph.D. is 2001 President-Elect of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) and Professor of Pharmaceutics at the University of Connecticut, Storrs.

Dr. Burgess has been active in teaching, research and service throughout her career. Her students recognized her teaching efforts by voting her the recipient of the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award. She was an AAPS Arden House faculty member in 1996 and 2000. Dr. Burgess has served as major advisor for one M.S. and nine Ph.D. graduates and currently is major advisor for one M.S. and five Ph.D. candidates. She has trained/is training four post-doctoral fellows. Dr. Burgess runs a multidisciplinary laboratory. Research efforts focus on drug delivery systems, in particular, microspheres, emulsions and liposomes and on interfacial chemistry and span the following areas: development of novel technologies; formulation; stability assessment and prediction; transport; sterility assessment; biophysical assessment; cell culture and in vitro and in vivo performance.

Dr. Burgess has served/is serving AAPS in many capacities, including: General Chair Midwest Regional Meeting (1993); Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Section (Vice Chair, 1996-1997; Chair Elect, 1997-1998; Chair, 1998-1999); Annual Meeting Program Committee (Co-Chair 1999; Chair 2000) and Program Coordination Committee Chair (2001). Dr. Burgess is an editor for AAPS PharmSci SM (1999 - present) and is on the editorial boards of the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology and the Journal of Microencapsulation (1999 - present). Dr. Burgess will chair the International Microencapsulation Symposium in 2003. She consults for pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries on issues related to dispersed systems and interfacial chemistry.

Dr. Burgess received her B.Sc. degree in Pharmacy from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland (1979) and her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics from the University of London (1984). She did postdoctoral research at the Universities of Amsterdam, Nottingham and the University of North Carolina. She joined the faculty at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1986 as Assistant and then Associate Professor and moved to the University of Connecticut in 1993.

Richard F. Bergstrom, Ph.D.

Richard F. Bergstrom, Ph.D. is the 2001 Immediate Past President of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS). Dr. Bergstrom is a Senior Research Scientist in the Bioavailability and Pharmacokinetics Department of the Lilly Laboratory for Clinical Research, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, and an Adjunct Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana. His research focuses on the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and bioavailabilty of new drug candidates.

At Eli Lilly, Dr. Bergstrom is responsible for human clinical pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and bioavailability evaluations of new drugs that have included AXID® (nizatidine) and PROZAC® (fluoxetine hydrochloride), and ZYPREXA® (olanzapine). His current responsibilities include new delivery systems and investigational CNS agents.

Dr. Bergstrom is a charter members of AAPS, and an AAPS Fellow.

Dr. Bergstrom received his BS in Pharmacy from the University of Pittsburgh in 1973. He joined Eli Lilly that year as an associate pharmaceutical chemist in paternal products development. He obtained his MS in Pharmacology from Butler University and his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.

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