May 24, 2018
Congratulations to Dr. Gordon Amidon, who received a State University of New York honorary doctorate of science at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences’ commencement ceremony on May 19.

Gordon L. Amidon, PhD, William I. Higuchi Distinguished University Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Charles R. Walgreen Jr. Professor of Pharmacy at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, received a State University of New York honorary doctorate of science at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences’ commencement ceremony on May 19.

A fellow of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, the American Pharmacists Association and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Gordon L. Amidon has been called a true visionary in the pharmaceutical sciences for his research, most notably in the area of oral drug absorption.

Dr. Amidon is credited with developing the Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS), recognized and utilized worldwide to differentiate drugs on the basis of their solubility and permeability. Dr. Amidon’s scientific achievements have greatly contributed to the pharmaceutical community’s overarching understanding of drug absorption and serve as guiding principles used by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to determine generic drug bioequivalents.

In January 2018, Dr. Amidon was awarded the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Pharmaceutical Research and Science (APhA-APRS) Takeru Higuchi Research Prize, which recognizes the highest accomplishments in pharmaceutical sciences and is international in scope and stature.

Dr. Amidon’s academic roots in his field began at the State University of New York at Buffalo campus, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy in 1967. During his time in Buffalo, he gained a passion for the study of pharmacokinetics, the convergence of pharmacy and mathematics. Dr. Amidon continued his education at the University of Michigan, receiving an MA in mathematics and a PhD in pharmaceutical chemistry. Dr. Amidon joined the U-M College of Pharmacy faculty in 1983 and has led, mentored, and served the faculty, staff, and students at Michigan for over 30 years.