Nationally recognized researcher Dr. Boris Tabakoff will be honored Thursday, Nov. 4 as this year’s recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Tabakoff, a 1966 and 1970 graduate of CU Pharmacy, was selected by the School’s Alumni Association for the award, which is the highest recognition bestowed by the Association.
“Boris’s body of work is truly indicative of the impact our alumni make in pharmacy. I have no doubt we'll see continued success from him," said Dr. Ralph Altiere, Dean of the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy.
After obtaining his bachelor’s degree from the CU School of Pharmacy in 1966, Tabakoff returned to the School to pursue a PhD in Pharmacology. He completed his doctorate in 1970, while discovering the first members of what is now called the aldose reductase family of enzymes. His work with these enzymes completed the metabolic map for the biogenic amine neurotransmitter substances, characterizing the production of reduced metabolites. These metabolites are still commonly used to monitor physiological activity of noradrenergic and serotonergic systems in humans and other animals. Tabakoff is currently a faculty member of CU Pharmacy as a tenured professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
His numerous accomplishments as a widely recognized national and international leader in research and education come highly noted by CU Pharmacy Dean Emeritus Louis Diamond, PhD.
"Boris has an exemplary record of creative research, education, and service to the discipline of pharmacology," said Dr. Louis Diamond.
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