Fritz Pragst | Medicinal Chemistry | Best Paper Award

Prof. Dr. Fritz Pragst | Medicinal Chemistry | Best Paper Award

Guest Scientist | Humboldt University of Berlin | Germany

Prof. Dr. Fritz Pragst is a distinguished scholar in forensic and analytical toxicology whose work has significantly shaped modern toxicological science, evidence interpretation, and laboratory methodology. With an academic career spanning several decades, he has established himself as a leading authority in systematic toxicological analysis, forensic chemistry, and biomarker research, contributing to both foundational understanding and applied forensic practice. His scientific influence is demonstrated through 147 published documents, more than 6,170 citations, and an h-index of 43, reflecting consistent scholarly impact, high research relevance, and continued citation in contemporary toxicology literature. His pioneering contributions to hair analysis methodology, including alcohol biomarkers such as ethyl glucuronide and drug exposure evaluation in cases involving familial substance misuse, have provided globally referenced frameworks for long-term toxicological monitoring, legal case assessments, and public health applications. His work addresses complex analytical challenges, including differentiation between substance exposure routes, interpretation of low-level toxicological data, validation of forensic laboratory workflows, and development of ethical and scientifically defensible interpretation models. Beyond research, he has actively contributed to scientific societies, served in editorial and advisory roles, and engaged in extensive collaboration across multidisciplinary research networks, thereby supporting international knowledge exchange and capacity building within toxicology and forensic science communities. His scholarly output also demonstrates a commitment to solving real-world challenges, including improving diagnostic accuracy, enhancing substance abuse monitoring, and supporting fair use of toxicological evidence in legal and clinical environments. Through his influential publications, leadership roles, and contributions to methodological rigor and scientific education, Prof. Dr. Fritz Pragst has made a lasting impact on global forensic toxicology, ensuring that analytical science continues to advance with accuracy, ethical integrity, and societal relevance.

Profiles : Scopus | ResearchGate

Pragst, F. (2025). Systematic toxicological analysis in forensic and clinical laboratories: a challenging task of analytical chemistry. ChemTexts, 11(2).

Pragst, F., & Balíková, M. A. (2006). State of the art in hair analysis for detection of drug and alcohol abuse. Clinica Chimica Acta, 370(1–2), 17–49.

Pragst, F. (2022). Is there a relationship between abuse of alcohol and illicit drugs seen in hair results? Drug Testing and Analysis. (2025 listing for 2025 issues)

Prof. Dr. Fritz Pragst has significantly advanced forensic and clinical toxicology through pioneering work in systematic toxicological analysis and hair‐based drug detection methods, shaping global standards and improving public health, justice systems, and medico-legal investigations. His research continues to inspire innovation, strengthen scientific reliability, and support safer societies worldwide.

James Cook | Medicinal Chemistry | Best Scholar Award

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Prof. James Cook | Medicinal Chemistry | Best Scholar Award

University Distinguished Professor and Adjunct Professor at UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE, United States.

James M. Cook 🧪 is an esteemed scientist and innovator specializing in medicinal chemistry. Based in Milwaukee, WI, he has contributed significantly to drug discovery, particularly in the development of small-molecule treatments for airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation in asthma. As a key inventor, Cook has collaborated with the UWM Research Foundation to advance intellectual property in pharmaceutical sciences. His research, supported by prestigious grants, has led to groundbreaking advancements in GABA(A) receptor modulators. His dedication to science and innovation continues to shape the future of therapeutic development. 🌍🔬

Professional Profile
Suitability for the Best Scholar Award

James M. Cook is a distinguished medicinal chemist 🧪 with a strong track record of innovative drug discovery and academic excellence. As a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) 🏛️, he has significantly contributed to pharmaceutical research, particularly in GABA(A) receptor modulators 💊 for treating neurological and respiratory disorders. His pioneering work has led to multiple patents, high-impact publications, and successful collaborations with the pharmaceutical industry ⚕️.

Education 🎓

  • Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry – Specialized in drug discovery and organic synthesis 🔬📚
  • Master’s Degree in Chemistry – Focused on molecular design and pharmaceutical sciences 🧪
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry – Strong foundation in chemical analysis and research 🏛️

Experience 🏆

  • Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) – Leading research in medicinal chemistry 🏛️👨‍🏫
  • Principal Investigator in Drug Discovery Projects – Developed novel GABA(A) receptor modulators for treating asthma and neurological disorders 💊🔍
  • Inventor & Patent Holder – Contributed to multiple patents in pharmaceutical innovation 📜💡
  • Recipient of Research Grants – Secured funding from NIH, UWM Research Foundation, and private institutions to advance medical research 💰🧠
  • Collaborator with Pharmaceutical Industry – Worked with biotech firms to translate research into real-world treatments ⚕️🏭

 

Professional Development 🚀📖

James M. Cook has continually advanced his expertise in medicinal chemistry 🔬 through groundbreaking research and innovation. As a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) 🏛️, he has mentored young scientists and led pioneering studies on GABA(A) receptor modulators 💊. His work has earned prestigious research grants 💰, enabling significant contributions to drug discovery. Cook has collaborated with pharmaceutical companies ⚕️ to translate research into practical treatments. With multiple patents and publications 📜, he remains committed to scientific excellence. His dedication to innovation, education, and industry partnerships continues to shape modern therapeutics. 🚀

Research Focus 🔍🤖

James M. Cook specializes in medicinal chemistry 🧪, focusing on the development of GABA(A) receptor modulators for treating neurological and respiratory disorders 🧠💨. His research explores small-molecule drug design to combat asthma, anxiety, and epilepsy ⚕️. With expertise in organic synthesis and pharmaceutical innovation 💡, he has contributed to groundbreaking treatments targeting airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation 🌬️. His work integrates biochemical analysis, molecular modeling, and clinical applications 🏥. Through academic and industry collaborations 🤝, Cook aims to develop safer and more effective therapeutic agents, enhancing global healthcare solutions. 🌍🔍

Awards & Honors 🏆

  • Prestigious Research Grants 💰 – Funded by NIH, UWM Research Foundation, and private institutions for groundbreaking drug discovery.
  • Patent Holder & Innovator 📜💡 – Recognized for multiple patents in medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences.
  • Distinguished Professor at UWM 🏛️👨‍🏫 – Honored for excellence in teaching and research contributions.
  • Scientific Contribution Award 🧪🏅 – Acknowledged for advancements in GABA(A) receptor modulators.
  • Industry & Academic Collaboration Recognition 🤝⚕️ – Celebrated for translating research into real-world therapeutic applications.
Publication Top Notes:

📄 Procognitive and neurotrophic benefits of α5-GABA-A receptor positive allosteric modulation in a β-amyloid deposition mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease pathologyNeurobiology of Aging, 2025 – 📑 Cited by: 0

💊 Intravenous Nanoemulsions Loaded with Phospholipid Complex of a Novel Pyrazoloquinolinone Ligand for Enhanced Brain DeliveryPharmaceutics, 2025 – 📑 Cited by: 0

⚕️ Antinociceptive Effects of a2/a3-Subtype-Selective GABAA Receptor Positive Allosteric Modulators KRM-II-81 and NS16085 in Male Rats: Behavioral SpecificityJournal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 2024 – 📑 Cited by: 1

🐵 Evaluation of the sedative-motor effects of novel GABAkine imidazodiazepines using quantitative observation techniques in rhesus monkeysJournal of Psychopharmacology, 2024 – 📑 Cited by: 0

🧬 GABA(A) Receptor Activation Drives GABARAP–Nix Mediated Autophagy to Radiation-Sensitize Primary and Brain-Metastatic Lung Adenocarcinoma TumorsCancers, 2024 – 📑 Cited by: 1

🦠 Development of non-sedating benzodiazepines with in vivo antischistosomal activityAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 2024 – 📑 Cited by: 0

🧠 An alpha 5-GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator attenuates social and cognitive deficits without changing dopamine system hyperactivity in rats exposed to valproic acid in uteroAutism Research, 2024 – 📑 Cited by: 0

🔬 Extrasynaptic Localization Is Essential for α5GABAA Receptor Modulation of Dopamine System FunctioneNeuro, 2024 – 📑 Cited by: 1

💡 New Imidazodiazepine Analogue, 5-(8-Bromo-6-(pyridin-2-yl)-4H-benzo[f]imidazo[1,5-a][1,4]diazepin-3-yl)oxazole, Provides a Simplified Synthetic Scheme, High Oral Plasma and Brain Exposures, and Produces Antiseizure Efficacy in Mice, and Antiepileptogenic Activity in Neural Networks in Brain Slices from a Patient with Mesial Temporal Lobe EpilepsyACS Chemical Neuroscience, 2024 – 📑 Cited by: 2

KRM–II–81 suppresses epileptiform activity across the neural network of cortical tissue from a patient with pharmacoresistant epilepsyHeliyon, 2024 – 📑 Cited by: 2

📌 Conclusion:

James M. Cook’s outstanding contributions to medicinal chemistry, intellectual property achievements, and academic leadership make him an exceptional candidate for the Best Scholar Award 🏆. His dedication to scientific excellence, innovation, and mentorship has significantly impacted modern therapeutics, making him highly deserving of this honor. 🚀