Gary A. Piazza ’81, PhD, joins Auburn University's Pharmacy Department

March 26, 2021



Gary A. Piazza ’81, PhD, a highly respected cancer investigator with more than 30 years in the field, has been named the department head and professor for the Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy’s Department of Drug Discovery and Development. He spent the past 10 years at the Mitchell Cancer Institute at the University of South Alabama.



Gary is a 1981 graduate of Dominican University in Chicago, earning a bachelor's degree in biology and psychology. He then completed a doctorate in pharmacology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in 1985.



With extensive experience and expertise in the field, as well as a familiarity with peer institutions in the state, Gary is excited for potential collaborations and growth within the department.



"For the past 20 years, I have worked with many talented scientists across the state at UAB, South Alabama and Alabama, and feel I know the drug discovery and development landscape in the state quite well," Gary said. "I hope to continue these local collaborations as well as with other investigators throughout the world with the intent of not only strengthening my research, but also to bring in others from the Department of Drug Discovery and Development.



"The diverse expertise in pharmaceutical research is a clear strength of the department that could lead to tremendous synergy within the state and for Auburn to become a world-class leader in the field of drug discovery and development." 

Read more: Cancer Investigator Piazza Joins Auburn University Pharmacy School as New Department Head