Philanthropy is at the heart of progress.
At The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, donor-funded faculty and chair positions are more than prestigious titles—they are beacons of innovation, leadership and academic excellence. These endowed positions serve as catalysts for innovation, collaboration and leadership, ensuring that faculty and students have the resources to advance patient care worldwide.
Through the generosity of visionary donors, the college remains a driving force in pharmacy practice and research, pushing the boundaries of drug discovery and development and patient-centered care. The stories behind these professorships remind us that education and discovery are not solitary pursuits—they are made possible through generosity, mentorship and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
Below, we highlight the legacy and significance of endowed professorships and chairs within the college, celebrating the donors who made them possible and the scholars who carry their vision forward.
Charles H. Kimberly Professorship in Pharmacy
Donor: Charles H. Kimberly, BS 1900
Chairholder: Mitch A. Phelps, PhD (appointed in 2024)
Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology
Division of Outcomes and Translational Sciences
The Kimberly Professorship is one of Ohio State’s longest-standing faculty honors, recognizing outstanding scholarly achievement in the College of Pharmacy. Named after Charles H. Kimberly, Ohio State’s first Bachelor of Science graduate in pharmacy (1900), this professorship rewards distinguished faculty for their contributions to academic excellence and pharmaceutical research.
Dr. Mitch Phelps has held the Kimberly Professorship since 2024. An internationally recognized cancer pharmacologist, Dr. Phelps has dedicated his career to optimizing cancer therapies through translational research. His lab advances the study of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacogenetics, striving to improve the efficacy and personalization of cancer treatments.
Gertrude Parker Heer Chair in Cancer Research
Donor: Gertrude Parker Heer
Chairholder: Sharyn D. Baker, PharmD, PhD
Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology
Established June 5, 1992, with an estate gift from Gertrude Parker Heer; used to support the work of a distinguished faculty member involved in cancer research at The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.
Dr. Sharyn Baker’s cancer-relevant research interests broadly cover translational and clinical pharmacology of anti-cancer agents. Recently, her laboratory has focused on the preclinical development of anti-cancer agents for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), with an emphasis on tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) drug combinations. Dr. Baker’s research interests include developmental therapeutics for AML, clinical pharmacology of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, variability in anti-cancer drug disposition and investigational anti-cancer drug development.
Jack L. Beal Chair in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy
Donors: Friends and students of Jack L. Beal, PhD ’52
Chairholder: A. Douglas Kinghorn, PhD, DSc (appointed in 2004)
Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy
Established in 2001, the Jack L. Beal Chair honors Dr. Jack Beal, a 1952 graduate and longtime faculty member known for his influential work in natural products and pharmacognosy. Friends and students raised $1.5 million to support distinguished faculty in natural product chemistry, furthering Beal’s legacy of discovery.
Since 2004, Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn has carried forward Dr. Beal’s mission, leading a distinguished research career that has earned him global recognition in pharmacognosy and natural products chemistry. His work has advanced botanical dietary supplements, cancer therapy and biomedical discoveries, securing Ohio State’s place as a leader in pharmaceutical research.
Lloyd M. Parks & Irene M. Parks Professorship Fund
Donor: Lloyd Parks, DRH ’83, PhD, MS; Regina Parks, MA ’90
Chairholder: (Pending)
Few individuals have left as indelible a mark on pharmacy research at Ohio State as Dr. Lloyd M. Parks. As the college’s fourth dean, Parks spearheaded a dramatic expansion of faculty, research and academic excellence. Under his leadership, the college’s research capacity grew exponentially thanks to the dedication of brilliant faculty members he recruited, such as medicinal chemist Dr. Jules LaPidus and pharmacologist Dr. Harold Wolf.
Dean Parks earned the prestigious American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA) Joseph R. Remington Honor Medal in 1974 for his service to American pharmacy and served as president of APhA in 1971. His contributions to the field remain widely respected, making this professorship a fitting tribute to his legacy.
Lucius A. Wing Chair of Cancer Research & Therapy
Donor: William H. Dickerson
Chairholder: Alex Sparreboom, PhD
Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology
Outcomes and Translational Sciences
The Lucius A. Wing Chair of Cancer Research and Therapy was established on May 7, 1971, with a bequest from William H. Dickerson in honor of Dr. Wing. The income supports teaching and research in cancer.
Dr. Alex Sparreboom's research studies the contribution of solute carriers to chemotherapy-induced toxicity profiles, identifies chemical inhibitors of critical transporters, translates the findings to clinical trials in collaboration with scientists and oncologists, and ultimately improves the long-term outcome of patients with cancer by modulating the therapeutic window of widely-used chemotherapeutic.
His research is currently focused on the development of transport modulators that could be used in conjunction with platinum-based drugs and tyrosine-kinase inhibitors, with emphasis on the development of innovative preclinical model systems.
Maryann Z. and Larry Kennedy Endowed Professorship in Drug Discovery
Donor: Maryann Z. Kennedy, BS Pharm ’78, and Larry Kennedy
Chairholder: (Pending)
Maryann Kennedy and Larry Kennedy are testaments to the life-changing power of pharmaceutical research. Both cancer survivors and long-time pharmaceutical industry professionals, they deeply understand the profound impact of drug discovery on patients' well-being. Inspired by their experiences, they established this professorship to propel groundbreaking research, support faculty and students and foster advancements in therapeutic development.
Maryann’s journey began at the Ohio State College of Pharmacy, where she earned her degree in 1978. As a scholarship recipient, she recognized early on the significance of financial support and mentorship. Her career spanned 35 years with Hoffmann-La Roche, where she held leadership roles and drove medical liaison initiatives. Larry, an accomplished pharmaceutical sales professional, shares Maryann’s passion for giving back. Together, they hope their endowed chair will inspire future scholars to lead the next era of drug discovery at Ohio State.
Merrell Dow Professorship in Pharmaceutical Administration
Donor: Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Chairholder: Marcia Worley, PhD, RPh, FAPhA (appointed in 2017)
Pharmacy Practice and Science
Established in 1985 with an initial $250,000 endowment, the Merrell Dow Professorship is believed to be the first endowed professorship in pharmaceutical administration in the country. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals Inc. recognized Ohio State’s strong pharmacy administration programs, which are essential to shaping public policy and cost-efficiency in pharmaceutical care.
Dr. Marcia Worley, appointed in 2017, focuses on pharmacist-patient relationships and medication use processes. Her research has been widely published in esteemed peer-reviewed journals, and she has presented her findings at influential pharmacy conferences. With degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, Ohio State and the University of Minnesota, Dr. Worley is a leader in pharmaceutical administration, ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.
Sylvan G. Frank Endowed Chair in Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Systems
Donors: Chih-Ming Chen, PhD ’81 and Virginia Chen; CM Chen Foundation
Honoree: Sylvan G. Frank, PhD
Chairholder: Peixuan Guo, PhD (appointed in 2016)
Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
In 2013, Chih-Ming Chen, PhD ’81, and the CM Chen Foundation established the Sylvan G. Frank Chair, with the largest gift in college history at the time. This endowment honors Dr. Sylvan Frank, a dedicated mentor whose work in pharmaceutics and drug delivery shaped the lives of countless students, including Dr. Chen himself.
Current chairholder Dr. Peixuan Guo continues this legacy, leading groundbreaking research in RNA nanobiotechnology, focusing on cancer therapy and innovative drug delivery approaches. His contributions ensure that the college remains at the forefront of pharmaceutical innovation.