J. Edward Moreton, PhD, is a professor emeritus in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy.
Education:
Dr. Moreton earned the BS in pharmacy (1966) and PhD (1971) in pharmacology from the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy. He was an NIMH Post-Doctoral Fellow (1971-1973) in psychiatry research, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, and NIDA research associate (1973-1974) in pharmacology and therapeutics, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine. He joined the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in 1974 as an assistant professor, moved to rank of associate professor in 1978, and to professor in 1988. He was a National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council Senior Research Associate 1990-1991 while on sabbatical leave.
Teaching:
Dr. Moreton teaches pharmacy students, dental students, and graduate students in a wide range of topics including neuropharmacology, behavioral, autonomic, cardiovascular and renal pharmacology, principles of drug action, general toxicology, and drug abuse and dependence.
Research:
Dr. Moreton’s research background includes:
Drug Abuse and Dependence: Behavioral and neuropharmacological aspects of drug abuse utilizing animal models incorporating techniques of drug self-administration, electrophysiology, operant and overt behavioral assessments, neurochemistry, receptor binding and pharmacokinetics to investigate the behavioral, electrophysiologic and biochemical basis and long‑term consequences of abuse of drugs including hallucinogens, cannabinoids, opioids and opioid peptides, phencyclinoids, cocaine and other psychomotor stimulants.
Stroke and Neuroprotective Drugs: In Vivo (electroencephalographic, behavioral and neurologic) investigations of potential neuroprotective drugs in the rat model of cerebral ischemia-induced neural trauma; in vitro (rat primary neuronal cell culture) investigations of mechanism of excitatory amino acid-induced neurotoxicity and neuroprotective drugs; C. elegans model for investigation of potential neuroprotective drugs, and drugs for treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Administration:
Dr. Moreton has served as Coordinator for the US/Thai Consortium for the Development of Pharmacy Education in Thailand since its inception in 1994. In this capacity, he assists with the recruitment and matriculation of Thai pharmacy faculty in the PhD and PharmD programs at UM. He also coordinates short-term exchanges of Maryland and Thai faculty and students and has served as Visiting Professor at several Thai schools of pharmacy. Dr. Moreton received the Honorary Doctorate from Ubon Ratchathani University in 2002, and is recognized by H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for his contributions to pharmacy education in Thailand.