Dana Abendschein, Ph.D., a SUNY Fredonia graduate affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine in research or teaching capacities for more than two decades, will return to his alma mater as keynote speaker for Department of Biology activities during Homecoming.
Dr. Abendschein will conduct a seminar, “On the Road to Developing Targeted and Safe Antithrombotic Drugs," on Friday, Oct. 1, 4 p.m. at Room 101 Jewett Hall. He will describe some of the research progress in the development and preclinical testing in animal models of novel antithrombotic therapeutics. His translational physiology and pharmacology laboratory focuses primarily on development of new and safe approaches to inhibit thrombosis during heart attacks and strokes where injury to arteries is an underlying cause.
Over the last 27 years, Dr. Abendschein’s lab has been part of the development of therapeutics derived from naturally occurring animal or plant proteins. More recent studies have focused on an apyrase protein, originally found in potatoes and also on the inside of blood vessels, that degrades ATP leading to inhibition of platelet activation much like the drug known as Plavix, but without the risk of bleeding.
Also part of Dr. Abendschein’s presentation will be his description of twisted and somewhat serendipitous path from Biology major at SUNY Fredonia to scientist who can also take on the role of an absent-minded professor who entertains the patient while the drugs developed in the lab take their desired effect.
Dr. Abendschein is also expected to speak briefly about Story Link, a reading program that he and his wife, Jane, developed to help incarcerated parents stay connected with their children. He was last on campus in May to announce plans to launch Story Link in Chautauqua County.
“This man is a highly accomplished scientist, a tremendous humanitarian, and we’re proud to call him a Fredonia Biology alum,” said Patricia Astry, chair of the Department of Biology.
Dr. Abendschein serves as an associate professor in the Departments of Internal Medicine and Cell Biology and Physiology at the Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis.
After earning his bachelor’s degree in Biology at SUNY Fredonia in 1974, Dr. Abendschein was awarded a doctorate in Physiology from Purdue University in 1978. He was a postdoctoral trainee at the Cardiovascular Research Institute at the University of California, 1979 to 1981, before accepting teaching positions at University of California at San Francisco and then University of California at Berkley. He was an assistant professor of Physiology at Indiana University School of Medicine for two years before beginning his tenure at Washington University School of Medicine in 1983.
Highly recognized by peers and students, Dr. Abendschein has earned 11 Distinguished Service Teacher Awards, was named Professor of the Year three times, and earned separate Lecturer of the Year awards, among other distinguished honors.
A reception at 3 p.m. in Jewett Hall lobby for alumni, faculty and students will precede Dr. Abendschein’s program, which is free and open to the public.
