Dr. Jamali has been with the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Alberta since 1981. He served as associate dean from 1999 to 2004. Dr. Jamali has also been a visiting professor at Tokyo University of Science and an assistant professor at the University of Tehran. Dr. Jamali’s research interests include effects of pathophysiological changes on the action and disposition of drugs, particularly drug-disease interactions involving inflammation, and the link between arthritis and cardiovascular conditions.
What accomplishments are you most proud of?
Although I have been honored for receiving many professional awards (listed below), I mostly cherish the ones that demonstrate my devotion to public causes, such as the Province of Alberta Centennial Award of Outstanding Service.
However, the most rewarding accomplishments of my career include founding the Canadian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences (CSPS) and the establishment of the only Canadian journal of pharmaceutical sciences, Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences (JPPS). Until the establishment CSPS, Canadian pharmaceutical scientists did not have a professional society. JPPS is a fully-electronic open-access journal and is volunteer-run and not-for-profit.
I am also proud to have trained 40 graduate students.
Major awards and recognition include:
• Founders’ Award, Canadian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2017
• Lifetime Achievement Award, Canadian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
• Biruni National Award of Distinguish Scholar, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, 2015
• Alberta Pharmacy Centennial Award of Distinction, Alberta College of Pharmacists and Alberta Pharmacists’ Association, 2011
• Award of Merit, Faculty of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, 2010
• Fellow of the Society, Canadian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2009
• The Province of Alberta Centennial Award of Outstanding Service, 2005
• Killam Professorship Award for Outstanding Contribution to Scholarship, University of Alberta, 2005
• The Canadian Arthritis Network Award of Merit, 2004
• Canadian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences Award of Leadership in Pharmaceutical Research & Development, 2001
• Fellow, American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS), 1995
• McNeil Research Award, Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada (AFPC), 1994
• McCalla Research Professorship, University of Alberta, 1994
• McKeen Cattel Memorial Award of Research Achievement by the American College of Clinical Pharmacology (ACCP), 1992
• Fellow, American College of Clinical Pharmacology (ACCP), 1991
What are some interesting initiatives you are working on currently?
In 2018, I retired from my academic position and took a three year phase-out part-time option during which my last PhD student graduated. I am still the editor-in-chief of JPPS and am involved with CSPS. I also do some consulting jobs.
Who or what has been the biggest influence in your career?
My wife Elaheh Keshavarz-Jamali (Ella), also an alum of UBC. Ella unconditionally supported and encouraged me to excel. She believed in the family as a team. Her wisdom and foresight was amazing. Sadly, I lost her in 2020 after a short battle with cancer. Together we raised our son, Vafa Jamali. He is currently CEO of NEWCO – Zimmer Biomet and also inspires me. Vafa is an alumni of Vancouver’s University Hill Elementary School.
What UBC moment are you still talking about?
Lunch breaks at the SUB.
Any additional information you would like to share?
I have two major hobbies, history and painting. Some of my work can be seen here.