William Berndt, Ph.D., University of Nebraska Medical Center, vice chancellor
for academic affairs and dean of graduate studies and research, will speak
about biological and chemical terrorism at a Rotary Club of North Platte
meeting at noon on Wednesday, Dec 5, at the Country Club in North Platte.
About 85 are expected to attend.
Dr. Berndt’s professional and research interests have related to both
pharmacology, the study of drugs and their effects, and toxicology, the
study of toxic substances and their effects. He is particular interested
in the effects of chemicals on kidney function.
Dr. Berndt joined UNMC in 1982 as dean of graduate studies and research
and was named vice chancellor for academic affairs in 1985, both positions
he holds today. During his tenure at UNMC, Dr. Berndt has served as its
top leader twice.
He was interim chancellor, from 1991 to 1992, and was named to a two-year
term as chancellor from 1996 to 1998. During that time, Dr. Berndt facilitated
discussions with Clarkson Regional Health Services, which resulted in the
merger of Clarkson Hospital and University Hospital and affiliated clinics
to form Nebraska Health System.
Dr. Berndt received his baccalaureate degree from Creighton University
in 1954 and his doctoral degree from the State University of New York at
Buffalo in 1959. He served as a faculty member at Dartmouth Medical School
from 1959?1974 moving in rank from instructor to professor.
From 1974?1982 he was chairman of the Department of Pharmacology and
Toxicology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson,
Miss.
He is a diplomat of the American Board of Toxicology, and a Fellow
of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences. He is a member of various professional
organizations, most notably the Society of Toxicology, the American Society
for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, the American Society of
Nephrology and the International Society for the Study of Xenobiotics.