Distinguished neuroscientist discusses research at third Borne lecture Neal Castagnoli Jr., Distinguished Peters Professor of Chemistry emeritus at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, delivered the third annual Ronald F. Borne Distinguished Lecture in Medicinal Chemistry on March 6 at the Oxford Conference Center. The lecture, sponsored by the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at the School of Pharmacy, was entitled “Mechanistic Studies on the Enzyme-Catalyzed Oxidation of Cyclic Tertiary Amines.” Castagnoli’s lecture focused on the design, synthesis, and EC-ESI/MS evaluation of allylamine probe substrates by CYP450 in an effort to study catalytic pathways invoking single-electron transfer or hydrogen-atom transfer events. Castagnoli is well-known for his studies on how compounds such as the designer drug MPTP (1-methyl 4-phenyl 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) are converted in the body to potent neurotoxins. MPTP induces a syndrome that closely resembles Parkinson’s disease. “Dr. Neal Castagnoli is a distinguished and accomplished neuroscientist whose study of the metabolic fate of xenobiotics has contributed importantly to our understanding of the mechanisms of selective degeneration of neurons,” said Barbara G. Wells, dean of the pharmacy school. “He has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions in the areas of biochemical toxicology and neurochemistry. We are honored to have him as our third Ronald F. Borne Lecturer.” The annual lecture honors Borne, professor emeritus, for contributions to the medicinal chemistry department. He served as chair of the department from 1979-1988, as acting associate vice chancellor for research and acting dean of the Graduate School in 1985-86, as interim associate vice chancellor for research in 1997-98, and as interim vice chancellor for research from 1998-2001. He retired from the university in 2004. Dr. Borne was a classroom favorite of students for many years and has been recognized on numerous occasions for his teaching excellence. He received the university’s Elsie M. Hood Teacher of the Year Award in 1972, the 1996 Faculty Achievement Award, and 1992 Mississippi Professor of the Year Award. Home