Distinguished scientist: Jered Garrison, PhD

This profile is part of a series to highlight the researchers who will be honored at a ceremony on March 9 for UNMC’s Scientist Laureate, Research Leadership, Distinguished Scientist, New Investigator and Community Service to Research Award recipients.

• Name: Jered Garrison, PhD
• Title: Professor, UNMC Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Joined UNMC: 2009
• Hometown: Marion, Ohio

Please describe your research focus in three words or less:

Diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals

Why is research important in the world today?

For most cancers, the metastatic spread of the disease is what makes it so lethal. Treatment efficacy and long-term prognosis generally are poorer once cancer has metastasized. Our laboratory’s primary focus is the development of targeted radiotherapeutics to treat metastatic cancers. 

My research will make a difference because:

We explore unique chemistry approaches to increase the tumor residence times of our targeted radiotherapeutics, making them more potent tumor killers.

The best advice I’ve ever received is:

Generally speaking, our choices and actions are the biggest factors in our success or failure. Before blaming others for failure, ask yourself what you could have done better.

Three things you may not know about me are:

• I am originally from Ohio, and I am Ohio State Buckeye fan.
• I have three dogs: Lucy, Duke and Oakley.
• I read (listen to) a lot of fantasy, science fiction and biographies.