UK’s College of Pharmacy’s new dean is a researcher known for studying drugs that combat pediatric diseases Provost Tim Tracy announced Tuesday morning. 

According to a press release, R. Kiplin Guy will begin at UK on Oct. 1 and is the current chairman of the Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“In Kip Guy, we have found someone who has an exemplary reputation as innovator and academic entrepreneur, identifying dozens of novel applications for drugs in clinical trials that could lead to breakthroughs in combating pediatric diseases,” Tracy said in a press release. “Equally impressive is Dr. Guy’s understanding of health care systems, pharmacy’s role in this changing health care environment and how best to position the college and its graduates to continue to make an impact of the health of people.”

The focus of Guy’s research is chemical biology and preclinical drug discovery and development for neglected diseases – notably those that effect children, the press release said. 

“I am honored and excited to be selected to lead the UK College of Pharmacy with its strong tradition of excellence in the practice of pharmacy, the teaching of pharmacy, and research in the pharmaceutical sciences,” Guy said in the press release. “As we move forward in a changing healthcare world our professional and research practices are increasingly interdisciplinary and collaborative. To thrive we must be nimble and constantly seek ways to better carry out our work. I look forward to leading the school in capitalizing on such opportunities presented by UK and UK HealthCare and to helping the college to continue driving how pharmacists and pharmaceutical researchers think and work.  I am also personally very excited about the potential to continue and grow outreach efforts that enhance care for underserved people in the Commonwealth.”

Read more at uknow.uky.edu.