Notable Alums

Bernard

Specialty: Biochemistry

Graduation Year: 1950

Bernard Agranoff

Bernard Agranoff, M.D. ’50, is a University of Michigan professor emeritus of Biological Chemistry, the Ralph Waldo Gerard Professor Emeritus of Neurosciences in Psychiatry and senior research Scientist Emeritus of the Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute (formerly the Mental Health Research Institute). He was previously director of the MHRI.

Throughout his career, Dr. Agranoff has been a pioneer in the study of brain lipids and the effects of brain protein synthesis on memory foemati. He is the co-author and co-editor of the first six editions of the textbook “Basic Neurochemistry: Molecular, Cellular and Medical Aspects.”

Among his many honors are a Distinguished Service Citation from the WSU School of Medicine in 1967, a Wayne State Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1993, a Distinguished Service Citation from the U-M Medical School in 1967, a Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award in 1984, a Distinguished Faculty Lectureship in Biomedical Research in 1986, the Henry Russel Lecture, the Faculty Outstanding Service Recognition Award from the Neuroscience Program in 1999, a Distinguished Achievement Award from the Medical Center Alumni Society in 2000 and a Lifetime Achievement Award in Medical Education in 2011. He was named the Michigan Scientist of the Year by the Impressions 5 Museum of Lansing in 1992.

Dr. Agranoff has served as president of the American Society for Neurochemistry (1973 to 1975) and chair of the International Society for Neurochemistry (1989 to 1991).

There have been two symposiums in his honor by the American Society of Neurochemistry at Independence Hall, Philadelphia, in 1996, and at the University of Michigan in 1997.

He is an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, the National Institute of Medicine, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Association of Psychological Science.