Dear Friends,

It is with great sadness that we communicate the recent passing of Steven R. Myers, PhD on December 4, 2016.  Dr. Myers was recruited to the University of Louisville in 1991. He was promoted through the ranks to Professor and Associate Chair for Professional Education in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology.  

Dr. Myers served as course director for numerous pharmacology-based courses taught to medical, dental, nursing, graduate, and undergraduate students. He was recognized for his innovation in teaching via receipt of the Health Science Center Technology Innovation Teaching Award and by his nomination for numerous teaching awards at the University of Louisville. 

Dr. Myers also had an outstanding international reputation for excellence in teaching and research.  He was the founding editor of the Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development.  He was frequently invited as a teacher and examiner of medical and graduate students at universities in Egypt and the Caribbean. He was very active and successful in international educational and research collaborations, particularly in Egypt.  He led the effort to initiate a PhD partnership with Cairo University and Ain Shams University.  He served as an invited plenary speaker and keynote speaker at international meetings held in Egypt last year.  He chaired an international symposium entitled “Recent Challenges beyond the Usual Toxicological and Public Health Challenges in Africa” at the annual meetings of the Society of Toxicology.  

Dr. Myers had an active research career including studies of drug and xenobiotic metabolism and biomarkers of chemical exposure and effects.  He developed the first widely applicable biomarker for human exposure to PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) through his development of chromatographic and mass spec techniques which allowed the detection of hemoglobin adducts of PAH in maternal and fetal blood.

Dr. Myers served on the United States Environmental Protection Agency technical qualifications review panel for the evaluation of individuals for promotion in the United States government and frequent reviewer of NIH grant proposals.  He was a member of the U.S. Department for Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control Environmental Safety and Occupational Health Study Section.

Dr. Myers served as editor or associate editor of several scientific journals.  He held leadership positions in several scientific organizations, including Vice President and President of the Ohio Valley Society of Toxicology, Chair of the Awards Committee and Secretary/Treasurer of the International Society for Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds, and Secretary/Treasurer of the Risk Assessment Specialty Section of the Society of Toxicology.

Dr. Myers served on numerous committees within the School of Medicine and at the University. These committees included the School of Medicine Faculty Forum (including service as secretary and vice chair), University of Louisville Graduate Council, University of Louisville Faculty Senate and its Academic Programs Committee,  the School of Medicine Admissions Committee,  Educational Policy Committee, and Second Year Curriculum Committee, the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology Graduate Recruitment and Admissions Committee, and the Department Faculty Teaching Evaluation Committee he chaired.

His contributions to the University of Louisville and the nation are substantial and he will be deeply missed by his colleagues and students.  A special resolution in recognition of his service was adopted by the faculty of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology on December 6, 2016 and by the University of Louisville Faculty Senate on December 7, 2016.

He is survived by his wife Jane and children Alex and Katie, both of whom are currently enrolled as UofL students.  As stated in his obituary,  in lieu of flowers, memorials for Professor Myers can be designated for graduate student support in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Gifts should be made out to "UofL Foundation" and mailed to UofL Foundation Cardinal Station, 215 Central Ave. Ste. 300, Louisville, KY, 40208.  In the memo area of the check, indicate "In Memory of Steven Myers."