Each year Wright State University recognizes former students who have gone on to make exceptional contributions to their professional fields while giving back to their communities. Ten honors were awarded during the 16th annual College Outstanding Alumni Awards. These individuals represent some of the best and brightest in their fields and are a tribute to the education they received from Wright State University. The College of Science and Mathematics presented Ellis F. Unger, M.D. with the 2015 College Outstanding Alumni Award. Dr. Unger earned his Bachelors of Science from the Department of Chemistry in 1976.
Dr. Unger is pictured to the right with Rebecca Cole, Vice President, University Advancement, President, WSU Foundation, Inc. and Dr. Yi Li, Dean, CoSM
Ellis R. Unger, M.D., is Director of the Office of Drug Evaluation-I, Office of New Drugs (OND). Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dr. Unger obtained his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati, and received postdoctoral training at the Medical College of Virginia (internal medicine) and The Johns Hopkins Hospital (clinical cardiology). Dr. Unger was a senior investigator in the cardiology branch of NIH's Nation Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute from 1983 to 1997, where he directed a research program in angiogenesis, developing new approaches for the treatment of coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease. From 1997 to 2003, he served as medical officer, team leader, and subsequently branch chief in the Office of Therapeutics Research and Review (OTRR) in the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. In 2003, Dr. Unger assumed the responsibilities of Deputy Director, Division of Cardiovascular and Renal Products, in CDER. He served as FDA representative to CIOMS Working Group VII, and presently represents the agency on the International Conference on Harmonization Expert Working Group, E2F, the Development Safety Update Report intended to standardize periodic reporting on drugs under development. Dr. Unger has authored, co-authored, and edited numerous scientific articles and is a co-holder of two patents. Congratulations to Dr. Unger on recognition of his distinguished career.
