Regents' Professor: Pharmacy Researcher Timmermann World Leader in Drug Discovery

David von Behren
Jan. 25, 2000


(NOTE: See a video profile of Barbara Timmermann http://ali.opi.arizona.edu/movies/timmermann.html)

Recently named Regents' Professor Barbara N. Timmermann, with the UA College of Pharmacy is internationally recognized and respected for her work in biodiversity prospecting and drug discovery.

The title Regents Professor serves as recognition of the highest academic merit and is reserved for only 3 percent of tenured faculty members at Arizona_s public universities who have demonstrated exceptional scholarship and outstanding achievement. Timmermann is the first Regents Professor named at the UA College of Pharmacy.

A professor in the department of pharmacology and toxicology, Timmermann is the Principal Investigator and Project Director of an International Cooperative Biodiversity Group Project. The group is involved in the discovery and development of prescription drugs from plants and microbes of temperate forests and arid and semi-arid ecosystems in Latin America.

In addition to scientific study, the work promotes economic growth in areas where the plants are harvested, while conserving biological resources. This experimental effort for research into biodiversity prospecting, conservation, economic development and drug discovery involves Timmermann with colleges and schools worldwide, private pharmaceutical corporations and governmental and environmental organizations in the U.S., Argentina, Chile and Mexico.

"Dr. Timmermann's work has an incredible impact on the biomedical research community. Her dedication to developing prescription drugs inspires students, faculty, researchers and colleagues around the world," said J. Lyle Bootman, dean and professor at the UA College of Pharmacy.

A remarkable record of commitment to education in the classroom mirrors Timmermann_s research career. She has served as a research advisor and educational sponsor for numerous postdoctoral associates, visiting scientists, doctoral and undergraduate students. She is an active member of many national and international scientific organizations. Her research and teaching have led to extensive travel through Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Timmermann holds a bachelor of science degree in biology from the Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, Argentina, and a master's and doctorate degrees in phytochemistry from the University of Texas at Austin. She has published more than 100 research papers, edited five conference proceedings and co-authored two books.

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