P. Roy Vagelos, M.D., will present a lecture titled “Evolution from Basic to Translational Research (Washington University to Merck)” at noon Monday, November 29, in Cori Auditorium at Washington University School of Medicine.
Vagelos was chairman of the Department of Biological Chemistry (currently the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics) at the School of Medicine from 1966 until 1975. He was the driving force for starting the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, for minority recruitment to the medical school and for instituting the Medical Scientist Training Program.
Vagelos joined Merck in 1975 as senior vice president for research and ultimately served as the CEO and chairman of Merck. Under his leadership, Fortune Magazine named Merck the “most admired company in America” for a record seven consecutive years from 1987 until 1993. Recently, Vagelos has written a book, “Medicine, Science and Merck,” chronicling his extraordinary career in science and in industry.
A reception for Vagelos will be held at 1 p.m. in the King Center of the Becker Library. Vagelos will sign copies of his book during the reception.
“We welcome Dr. Vagelos to our campus,” said Larry J. Shapiro, executive vice chancellor of medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine. “And we look forward to hearing his reflections on conducting and fostering basic research in his laboratories here and how it set him on a path toward translational research and a career spent introducing important new therapeutic agents into medical practice.”