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UNC School of Pharmacy names new dean

CHAPEL HILL -- Dr. Robert A. Blouin, a longtime faculty member and administrator with the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, has been named the ninth dean of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Pharmacy.

Blouin’s appointment, effective July 1, was approved today (March 27) by the UNC Board of Trustees. He replaces Dr. Bill Campbell, who announced in January 2002 his plans to return to teaching and research after two five-year terms as dean. Dr. Robert Shelton, executive vice chancellor and provost, had formed a search committee to find a new dean after Campbell’s announcement.

Blouin currently serves as associate dean for research and graduate education, and executive director of economic development and innovations management within UK’s College of Pharmacy.

His responsibilities as associate dean include overseeing the development and expansion of the Center for Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, a multimillion-dollar cGMP drug formulation and manufacturing facility. In his executive directorship role, he serves as the College of Pharmacy representative in all issues external to UK relating to economic development of the pharmaceutical sciences. He has represented the college on several statewide biotechnology initiatives and has worked to advance faculty-based intellectual property.

"Bob’s career has featured a diversity of important responsibilities – as an adviser, manager, teacher and researcher – and in each area he has distinguished himself as a leader with great insight and talent," said UNC Chancellor James Moeser. "He has a deep understanding of emerging pharmaceutical technologies and the effect they will have on the design of successful drugs. He also has a remarkable ability to connect to students, recognized by his many awards for excellence in teaching."

Moeser also commended Campbell for his decade as dean.

"Bill has provided exceptional guidance and leadership during one of the most formative times in the life of the School of Pharmacy. He has proven instrumental in further establishing his school’s prominence as a national leader in the study of pharmaceutical sciences. We’re fortunate that he will continue to make a difference in the life of his school as a professor and researcher."

At UNC, Blouin will lead a graduate school offering both professional and graduate programs,with more than 60 tenure-track, clinical and research faculty members. The school, established in 1897, is the only public school of pharmacy in the state. More than half of the school’s 6,000 alumni live in North Carolina and serve the health-care needs of the state’s citizens. School graduates practice in 22 countries, 48 states and 98 N.C. counties.

In addition to his administrative posts at UK, Blouin is a professor within the College of Pharmacy’s division of pharmaceutical sciences and a member of the toxicology graduate faculty. He is also a member of the Lucille Parker Markey Cancer Center.

Blouin’s affiliation with UK began in 1978, when he was appointed assistant professor in the College of Pharmacy and director of the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center’s clinical pharmacokinetics program. In 1984, he was promoted to associate professor and was named associate director of the drug product evaluation program. In 1989, Blouin became professor within the college’s division of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics.

He received his bachelor of science degree from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in 1975. He received his doctor of pharmacy degree from the UK College of Pharmacy in 1978, serving his residency at the UK Chandler Medical Center.

"I’ve spent more than 25 years at the University of Kentucky, and there are few opportunities that could lure me and my family to move on, but UNC is just such an opportunity," Blouin said. "Clearly, there is a strong tradition, unparalleled alumni support and a level of commitment at this school that has led it to the forefront of pharmacy education.

"Evidence of this success is seen in the school’s new state-of-the-art $25 million facility and most recently in the $20 million gift from Dr. Fred Eshelman. People who care about Carolina put their feelings into action, and I look forward to being a part of that."

Last month, Eshelman of Wilmington committed $20 million to UNC’s School of Pharmacy. The gift is the largest gift ever to a U.S. pharmacy school and the third largest single gift from an individual in the university’s history.

Eshelman’s gift will provide scholarships for the doctor of pharmacy program, enrich and expand graduate student education, provide graduate student fellowships and support faculty development in teaching and research. In addition, funds will be used to expand the school’s distinct role in the development of innovative community practice sites.

In October 2002, the UNC School of Pharmacy doubled its research and education facilities with the opening of Banks D. Kerr Hall, a 65,000-square-foot facility funded with private gifts, as well as state appropriations and overhead receipts generated by federally supported research projects.

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Photo url: http://www.unc.edu/news/pics/faculty/deans/blouin_robert.jpg

UNC School of Pharmacy contact: Kevin Almond, (919) 843-9970
News Services contact: Deb Saine, (919) 962-8415