Interview with Yusuf Abul-Hajj

Abstract

Dr. Yusuf Abul-Hajj begins his interview by reflecting on his education, his choice to pursue medicinal chemistry at the University of Wisconsin, the difficulties of transition and travel between Palestine and the United States, and the Arab community in Minneapolis. Dr. Abul-Hajj then describes his early career in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Minnesota, with particular attention to the clinical pharmacy movement, the creation of the Pharm.D. program, and problems that consequently arose within the basic science, research-oriented departments of the College. He then discusses the following topics: collaboration between the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and the Chemistry Department; the revival of social and administrative pharmacy; relations between clinical and basic science faculty in the College; collaborations between faculty in Medicinal Chemistry and faculty in the Medical School; the appointment of Gilbert Banker and his tenure as dean of the College; collaboration between Medicinal Chemistry and the pharmaceutical industry; his own research on estrogen and cancer; drug development in academia; and the creation of the Center for Drug Design.