Dr. Thomas J. Perun has been awarded the status of Emeritus Fellow in the Chemistry and Human Health Division (Division VII). This 2025 appointment reflects his standing as a scientist and continuing service to our division and to the Union.
Thomas Perun retired in 1996 after a 33 year career in pharmaceutical research and management at Abbott Laboratories in Illinois. He received a B.S. in Chemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1959 and his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Rochester in 1963, where he worked with Prof. D. Stanley Tarbell on the synthesis and novel rearrangement of compounds related to podophyllotoxin. His career at Abbott began with work on the antibiotic, erythromycin, where he determined the conformation of this important antibiotic, and developed the information that led to a number of useful derivatives in the clinic. He progressed through the management of antibacterial research, cardiovascular research, and ended as Vice President of Drug Design and Delivery. In this latter position, he had responsibility for developing the structure-based drug design group involved in the early identification of drug targets and lead molecules.
Since his retirement he has been involved with professional chemistry organizations such as the American Chemical Society and the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. He was Chair of the ACS Division of Medicinal Chemistry in 1997, and continued on the Executive Committee in various functions. He completed a four year term as President of the IUPAC Division of Chemistry and Human Health, a worldwide organization dedicated to providing information and tools for chemists to achieve useful accomplishments in their fields. He continued to be a member of the Drug Discovery and Development subcommittee and the Chair of the Nominating Committee every two years.
B.S. Chemistry 1959, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Ph.D. Organic Chemistry 1963, University of Rochester
1963-1996 Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago , Ill.
- Conducted major research on the antibiotic erythromycin and other antibacterial agents
- Promoted to Chemistry Department Head
- Director of Cardiovascular Research
- Vice President of Drug Design and Delivery
American Chemical Society
- Chair of ACS Division of Medicinal Chemistry 1997
IUPAC
- Became a member of the Medicinal Chemistry Section in 1995
- Titular Membership in the Division of Chemistry and Human Health
- Head of Subcommittee on Drug Discovery and Development
- Chair of the Nominating Committee for Division VII
- Division VII President 2014-2017
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