Dr. Noriko Daneshtalab

The passion for research and education that inspired the life of Dr. Mohsen Daneshtalab (School of Pharmacy professor and former Associate Dean, Graduate Studies) - known to me as “Dad” - has recently been immortalized through the creation of two awards for graduate students aspiring to enter pharmacy research programs.

For over 40 years, my father was a world-renowned devotee to medicinal chemistry. His diverse career was as unique as his character, with incredible events that shaped his life and career. He received the highest Medal of Honour for Education from the Shah of Iran. His patent for the antidote for Mustard Gas exposure was successfully used to treat victims during the Iran-Iraq war in 1980-1988. Most recently, he created Signature Vodka - the anti-hangover vodka.  

His incredibly illustrious international career began when he completed his PhD in organic chemistry at Tohoku University in Japan, followed by his Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) at the University of Tehran in Iran. He worked in private industry and academia. Over the course of his career, more than 90 PhD, MSc and post-doctoral fellows have graduated under his tutelage and mentorship, and he guided many more students from different research groups through their graduate education.

My father continued his advocacy for research both within the School of Pharmacy and university-wide at Memorial. He was part of the Vice President (Research)’s Strategic Planning Committee, where he helped define the university’s future research strategy. At the School of Pharmacy, he was instrumental in starting the Pharmacy Research Days, and establishing the Pharmacy Poster Award, which was given to the graduate student with the best research poster presentation at the annual Research Poster Competition.

To honour his enduring energy and devotion to advancing pharmacy research and graduate education, two awards have been created – The Dr. Mohsen Daneshtalab Graduate Entrance Award and the Dr. Mohsen Daneshtalab Graduate Research Poster Award.

My father passed away last year, and left the torch dedicated to fueling research interest and innovation in other aspiring researchers. He was a scientist, an advocate for research, and a true scholar, with a voracious curiosity and keen perspectives on many subjects.  His guidance and support inspired many people – including myself. I hope these awards will continue to inspire future researchers.

Dr. Noriko Daneshtalab is an assistant professor in the School of Pharmacy.

The deadline for applications for the Graduate Entrance Award, awarded to a full-time student entering a graduate program in the School of Pharmacy, is July 2, 2015.

For further details on the Terms of Reference, please contact Dr. John Weber (associate dean, graduate studies) at jweber@mun.ca