Contact: Ralph Derickson

Sylvia Daunert

The College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor Award is the highest professional recognition offered by the college. It is bestowed on the basis of three criteria: outstanding research, unusually effective teaching, and distinguished professional service.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 10, 2005) -- Sylvia Daunert, the University of Kentucky Gill Eminent Professor of Analytical and Biological Chemistry, will deliver the 2004-05 College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor Lecture at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, in the Recital Hall of the UK Singletary Center for the Arts.

The lecture is free and open to the public. The UK Singletary Center for the Arts is located at Euclid Avenue and Rose Street in Lexington.

As a cutting-edge researcher in recombinant DNA technology, Daunert will give a lecture titled “Bionanotechnology: Learning from Nature.” Daunert’s research has focused on developing responsive drug delivery systems – an innovative device that dispenses medicine from within the body. Such a device, once it passes regulatory approval, could provide immediate relief to diabetics and those who suffer from chronic pain.

“Having the year off has definitely benefited my research in biotechnology and nanomedicine,” said Daunert. “One of the things I was able to do this year was to be more involved in trying to find research collaborators in the College of Medicine.”

Daunert joined the UK faculty in 1990 and completed a doctorate in bioanalytical chemistry at the University of Barcelona in 1991. Currently, she is professor of chemistry in the Department of Chemistry, professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the College of Pharmacy, and a faculty member with the Center of Membrane Sciences.

A Fulbright Scholar (1983-85), Daunert has received a number of professional awards, including the National Science Foundation-CAREER Award, the Juan Abello Pascual Award in Biochemistry from the Spanish Royal Academy of Doctors, the NSF Special Creativity Award, the Lilly Award in Analytical Chemistry, the A. F. Findeis Award from the American Chemical Society, the Van Slyke Society Research Award, and the Cottrell Scholar Award.

The College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor Award is the highest professional recognition offered by the college. It is bestowed on the basis of three criteria: outstanding research, unusually effective teaching, and distinguished professional service. All recipients of the College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor Award give a formal public lecture after receiving a full year to pursue research interests at full salary.