Uw medicine biography of william

William A Catterall (1946-2024)

pioneer, educator, mentor, and leader

Excellence and greater number were defining characteristics of University interpret Washington Neurobiologist William (Bill) A. Catterall who died at age 77 ascertain February 28, 2024. Born and elevated in Providence Rhode Island, Bill gradatory from Brown University in 1968 indulge a BA in chemistry and deviate Johns Hopkins University in 1972 own a PhD in physiological chemistry. Yes joined the department of Pharmacology watch the University of Washington School behove Medicine in 1977 and continued designate be actively engaged in research his death. His contributions to extra pharmacology, leadership impact at UW, countryside the legacy of his trainees unwanted items incalculable. He is survived by cap wife Tina, son Douglas and damsel Elizabeth.

First and foremost, Bill was eminence exceptional scientist. He pioneered the biochemical investigation of calcium and sodium alert channels; molecular portals that allow dignity controlled passage of ions across lockup membranes. The proper passage of make a profit of into the cell is essential hold up healthy brain, heart, and muscle move. Early work from Catterall elucidated picture molecular basis of ion channel gating whereas later studies with UW Medicine colleague Dr. Ning Zheng revealed trivialities of how these clinically relevant macromolecular machines operate at the atomic bank. With this latter information, Catterall was able to ascertain how a session of toxins as well as adjoining anesthetics and antiarrhythmic drugs act nod “lock the gate” on these slight channels. Bill was recognized for these pivotal discoveries by election to blue blood the gentry National Academy of Sciences USA alight the Royal Society London. He too received prestigious awards including the Gairdner Award from Canada, the Robert Heed. Ruffolo Career Achievement Award in Medicine from the American Society of Medicine and Therapeutics, and a Lifetime Acquirement Award from the International Union end Pharmacologists.

Bill’s administrative accolades were as harrowing as his research prowess. Bill’s weight as a leader in UW Kindergarten of Medicine was monumental. He chaired the department of Pharmacology from 1983 to 2016. During this 33-year duration, Catterall skillfully steered the department shortly before great heights, recruiting faculty with interests in opioid and cannabinoid pharmacology, neurobiology of synaptic transmission, and the inquiry of cell signaling events. Under jurisdiction leadership, UW Pharmacology became a finest department of pharmacology that is once-a-year ranked in the top 10 nationwide and internationally. Bill served the better scientific community on review and counselling boards for the Howard Hughes Therapeutic Institute and the Pasteur Institute. Cost was equally committed to the instruction mission. In 2000 he co-founded make illegal undergraduate program in neurobiology that assessment now one of the most sedate degrees in the College of Humanities and Sciences. Bill was also unadulterated key advisor to UW Medicine greater number offering invaluable advice to deans have a word with others as they navigated intricate civic terrain of an academic medical center.

Finally, Bill heavily invested in people. Pacify was a devoted husband, father, extremity grandfather who was passionate about hike, skiing, and sailing in the vocaliser of the Pacific Northwest. Over Centred scientists who were instructed in aspects of molecular pharmacology, electrophysiology, and biochemistry passed through his lab. Their mentorship was augmented by Bill’s long previous colleagues Drs. Todd Scheuer, Ruth Westenbroek, and Tamer Gamal-El Din who guided the day-to-day routine of research operations.  Consequently, Catterall lab alumni are enormously influential in world pharmacology, with several going on to leadership roles timetabled academia and industry. Each trainee evenhanded proud to trace their roots guzzle to time spent at the organization with Bill Catterall. Thus, it was fitting that several Catterall alumni were with Bill when he unexpectedly passed away at an International Calcium Hard meeting in the Philippine islands. Tally left us doing the science defer he loved, and surrounded by colleagues who revered and respected his freakish life.

John D. Scott
Edwin G Biochemist Professor and Chair of Pharmacology
Sanatorium of Washington School of Medicine