About the Rennebohm Lectures
Since 1955 the Rennebohm Lectures have brought researchers with national and international reputations to speak at the UW School of Pharmacy, through the support of the Oscar Rennebohm Foundation.
The Rennebohm Lecture Series reflects the personal commitment of Oscar Rennebohm to pharmacy in the state of Wisconsin. Born in 1880 in the town of Leeds, Wisconsin, into a farming family, Oscar Rennebohm moved to Milwaukee with his family, and then to Madison to attend a two-year pharmacy course, earning his degree in 1911. Soon after graduation Rennebohm borrowed money from his father to open a drugstore on the UW campus, near what would become Wisconsin General Hospital. From this “Badger Pharmacy” Oscar continued to expand his business until “Rennies,” as it was known, had 30 locations in Madison and Dane Country and employed more than 1000 people.
Oscar Rennebohm’s success as a businessman allowed him to serve the community that made this success possible. The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation, established in1949, supported research, as well as arts and cultural projects throughout the area, including the Rennebohm Lecture Series. His public service continued from 1944, when he ran for lieutenant governor, to his election as governor in 1948, after which in 1952 he was appointed to the UW Board of Regents.
A civic figure in Madison for six decades, Oscar Rennebohm died October 15, 1968.
Named Lecture Series
Past Rennebohm Lectures
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2019: David Kingsley, PhD (HHMI and Stanford University)
David Kingsley, PhD
Professor of Developmental Biology
HHMI and Stanford University
- Fishing for the Secrets of Vertebrate Evolution
- Applying Evolutionary Principles to Common Traits and Diseases in Humans
2016: H. Robert Horvitz, PhD (MIT)
H. Robert Horvitz, PhD
David H. Koch Professor of Biology, MIT
Nobel Prize Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, 2002
- Genetic Control of Programmed Cell Death in Animal Development and Human Disease
- Genes, Neurons, Circuits and Behavior: Aspects of C. elegans Nervous System Development and Function
2013-14: Theo Raynor, PhD, BPharm, FRPharmS (Universitiy of Leeds)
Theo Raynor, PhD, BPharm, FRPharmS
University of Leeds
- From Zero to Hero – Europe’s 30 Year Journey in Consumer Medicines
- ‘To be or Not to Be Taken?’ – Are the Consequences of Patient Empowerment All Good?
2011-12: Mario Capecchi, PhD (University of Utah)
Mario Capecchi, PhD
University of Utah
- The Making of a Scientist – An Unlikely Journey
- Gene Targeting Into the 21st Century: Mouse Models of Human Disease from Cancer to Neuropsychiatric Disorders
2010-11 Bonnie L. Bassler, PhD (Princeton University)
Bonnie L. Bassler, PhD
Princeton University
- Tiny Conspiracies: Cell-to-Cell Communication in Bacteria
- Manipulating Quorum-Sensing to Control Bacterial Pathogenicity
2010-11: Jeffrey M. Drazen, MD (New England Journal of Medicine)
Jeffrey M. Drazen, MD
Editor-in-Chief, New England Journal of Medicine
- Leukotrienes in Asthma: From Bench to Bedside to Bench to Bedside
- The Cholesterol Lowering Story: Is It Always Good?
2009-10: William E. Evans, PharmD (St. Jude Children’s)
William E. Evans, PharmD
Director and Chief Executive Office
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
- A 30-year Evolution, from Pharmacokinetics to Pharmacogenomics: Where to Next?
- Pharmacogenomics of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: from Discovery to Clinical Practice
2008-09: Ahvie Herskowitz, MD (Institute for OneWorld Health)
Ahvie Herskowitz, MD
Co-Founder, CEO and Chief Medical Officer
Institute for OneWorld Health
- Bridging Health Inequity – Social Return on Investment
- Advancing Global Health: OneWorld Health’s Vision – Challenges and Opportunities
2007-08: Judah Folkman, MD (Harvard Medical School)
Judah Folkman, MD
Andrus Professor of Pediatric Surgery & Cell Biology
Harvard Medical School Director
Vascular Biology Program, Children’s Hospital Boston
- Angiogenesis: An Organizing Principle for Drug Discovery?
- Clinical Aplications of Anti-Angiogenic Therapy
2005-06: Molecular Therapy in the 21st Century – A Symposium Honoring 50 Years of the Rennebohm Lectures
Molecular Therapy in the 21st Century – A Symposium Honoring 50 Years of the Rennebohm Lectures
September 21, 2005
Prof. Helen M. Blau
Stanford University
Cell Fusion and Nuclear Reprogramming
Prof. R. Alta Charo
University of Wisconsin
The Politics of Progress
Dr. Saeng H. Cheng
Genzyme Corporation
Prospects for Gene Therapy of Lysosomal Storage Disorders
Prof. Sheng Ding
Scripps Research Institute
Chemical and Functional Genomic Approaches toward Regenerative Medicine
Prof. Vicki L. Ellingrod
University of Iowa
Pharmacogenetics of Schizophrenia Treatment
Prof. Jeffrey A. Johnson
University of Wisconsin
The Nrf2-ARE Pathway: A Potential New Therapeutic Approach for Treating Neurodegenerative Diseases
Prof. Julie A. Johnson
University of Florida
Beta Blocker Pharmacogenetics
Prof. Mark Kay
Stanford University
Gene Therapy for Hemophilia and RNAi based Therapies for Human Viral Hepatitis
Prof. Daren Knoell
Ohio State University
The A to Z’s of Cell Survival in the Lung
Prof. Jill M. Kolesar
University of Wisconsin
Pharmacogenetics of Lung Cancer
Prof. Robert MacDonald
Northwestern University
Lipiplexes and Non-Lamellar Lipid Phases Insights into Optimizing Lipofection
Dr. Ronald D.G. McKay
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
The Molecular Biology and Medical Potential of CNS Stem Cells
Prof. Ida “Ki” Moore
University of Arizona
Childhood Leukemia: Contributions and Challenges of CNS Treatment
Prof. Clive N. Svendsen
University of Wisconsin
Neural Stem Cells for Parkinsons’ and ALS
Prof. James A. Thomson
University of Wisconsin
Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Prof. Richard M. Weinshilboum
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
Pharmacogenomics: Inheritance and Drug Response
Prof. Jon A. Wolff
University of Wisconsin
The Development of Non-Viral Vectors
2003-04: Dr. David Mangelsdorf, PhD (Howard Hughes Medical Institute)
Dr. David Mangelsdorf, PhD
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
- The Role of Nuclear Receptors as Sensors of Dietary Lipids
- Oxysterols as Modulators of Nuclear Receptor Signaling
2002-03: Dr. Jane Henney (Association of Academic Health Centers)
Dr. Jane Henney
Senior Scholar in Residence, Association of Academic Health Centers
Former Commissioner, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Developing Medical Products in the Future
- Challenges for the Research Enterprise
2001-02: Prof. Peter Schultz (Scripps Research Institute & Novartis Research Foundation)
Prof. Peter Schultz
Scripps Research Institute and Novartis Research Foundation
- New Opportunities at the Interface of Chemistry and Biology
1999-2000: Dr. Albert Eschenmoser (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology)
Dr. Albert Eschenmoser
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
- Chemical Etiology of Nucleic Acide Structure
- Chemistry of Pentopyranosyl-(2’→4″)-oligonuceotide Systems
1997-98: Prof. Barry M. Trost (Stanford University)
Prof. Barry M. Trost
Stanford University
- On Artificial Enzymes: Crafting Chiral Space for Molecular Recognition in a Catalystic Synthetic Reaction
1996-97: Prof. Christopher T. Walsh (Harvard Medical School)
Prof. Christopher T. Walsh
Harvard Medical School
- The Molecular Mechanisms of Bacterial Resistance to the Vancomycin Group of Glycopeptide Antibiotics
- Post-Translational Modifications that Prime the Biosynthesis of Polyketide and Polypeptide Antibiotics
1995-96: Multiple Guests
Prof. Richard C. Mulligan, PhD
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Basic Science of Gene Therapy
Prof. Gary Nabel, PhD
University of Michigan
Gene Therapy Strategies for Human Cancer
Prof. James Wilson
University of Pennsylvania
Gene Therapy: Challenges and Directions
Prof. Jon A. Wolff
University of Wisconsin
New Approaches to Non-Viral Gene Therapy
Prof. Robert Debs
Californnia Pacific Medical Center
Cationic Liposome-Mediated Gene Transfer in vivo and in vitro
Prof. Dorothy Nelkin
New York University
Gene Therapy and the Public Response
1994-95: Prof. Henry R. Bourne (UC – San Francisco)
Prof. Henry R. Bourne
University of California – San Francisco
- Diseases Tell Us How Trimeric G-Proteins Work
- Trimeric G-Proteins: Associations with Proteins and Lipid Membranes
1992-93: Carl Djerassi (Stanford University) and Stephen J. Bencovic (Pennsylvania State University)
Prof. Carl Djerassi
Stanford University
- The Pill at Forty-one: What Now?
Prof. Stephen J. Bencovic
Pennsylvania State University
- How Reverse Transcriptase Transcribes
- Catalytic Antibodies
1991-92: Prof. Jeremy R. Knowles (Harvard University)
Prof. Jeremy R. Knowles
Harvard University
- An Enzymatic Pericyclic Reaction: The Pursuit of Mechanism
- Enzyme Catalysis: What do We Understand?
1990-91: Prof. Phillip A. Sharp (MIT)
Prof. Phillip A. Sharp
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Mechanisms of Transcription and REgulation of Eukaryotes
- Protein-RNA Recognition in Regulation of Gene Expression
1989-90: Dr. Richard A. Lerner (Research Institutes of the Scripps Clinic)
Dr. Richard A. Lerner
Research Institutes of the Scripps Clinic
- Catalytic Antibidies – I
- Catalytic Antibodies – II
1987-88: Dr. Ira Pastan (National Cancer Institute)
Dr. Ira Pastan
National Cancer Institute
- Oncotoxins: Genetically Engineered Toxins for Cancer Treatment
- The Role of the Human Multidrug Resistance Gene in Chemotherapy
1986-87: Prof. Leroy E. Hood (California Institute of Technology)
Prof. Leroy E. Hood
California Institute of Technology
- Immunity and the Immunoglobulin Gene Super Family
- Biotechnology and Medicine of the Future
1985-86: Dr. Max F. Perutz (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology)
Dr. Max F. Perutz
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
- Protein Crystallography and New Drug Design
- The Impact of Science on Society: Would We Be Better Off Without Research?
1984-85: Dr. Ronald Breslow (Columbia University)
Dr. Ronald Breslow
Columbia University
- Approaches to Artificial Enzymes
- Imitating the Selectivity of Biochemical Reactions
1983-84: Dr. Leslie L. Iverson (Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd.)
Dr. Leslie L. Iverson,
Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd.
- Neurobiology and Neuropharmacology of Alzheimer’s Disease
- Substance P and Other Brain Peptides: Basis of a New Psychopharmacology?
1982-83: Dr. Elwood V. Jensen (Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Switzerland)
Dr. Elwood V. Jensen
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
Zurich, Switzerland
- Estrogen Receptor Interaction in Target Cells
- Hormone Dependency of Breast Cancer
1981-82: Dr. Alan R. Battersby (Cambridge University)
Dr. Alan R. Battersby
Cambridge University
- Biosynthesis of the Pigments of Life: Heme
- Biosynthesis of the Pigments of Life: Vitamin B12
1980-81: Dr. K. Nakanishi (Columbia University)
Dr. K. Nakanishi
Columbia University
- Recent Studies on Visual Pigments and Bacteriorhodopsin
- Additivity Relation in the Exciton Chirality Method: Application in Structure Determination of Oligosaccharides and Other Cases
1979-80: Dr. James Black (The Wellcome Foundation, England)
Dr. James Black
The Wellcome Foundation
Beckenham, England
- Prospecting for New Drugs
- Pharmacological Analysis of the Neurochemical Control of Gastric Secretion
1978-79: Dr. John R. Vane (The Wellcome Foundation, England)
Dr. John R. Vane
The Wellcome Foundation
Beckenham, England
- Prostacyclin, Platelets and Vascular Disease
1977-78: Prof. Andrew Schally, PhD (Tulane University)
Prof. Andrew Schally
Tulane University
- Hypothalamic Regulation of the Pituitary Gland with Major Emphasis on Its Implications for the Control of the Productive Processes
- Present Status of Hypothalamic Regulatory Hormones Especially Somatostatin: Basic and Clinical Studies
1976-77: Prof. Solomon H. Snyder (Johns Hopkins University)
Prof. Solomon H. Snyder
Johns Hopkins University
- The Opiate Receptor and Its Neurotransmitter Peptides
- Schizophrenia, Antipsychotic Drugs and the Dopamine Receptor
1975-76: Prof. Barnard R. Belleau (McGill University)
Prof. Barnard R. Belleau,
McGill University
- Medicinal Chemistry of the Opiate Receptor: Recent Advances
- Medicinal Chemistry of Neurotransmitter Receptors: Translation of Recognition Effects by Active Sites: Model Studies
1974-75: Prof. Vladimir Prelog (Swiss Federal Institute)
Prof. Vladimir Prelog
Swiss Federal Institute
Zurich, Switzerland
- Chirality, the Geometrical Basis of Stereochemistry
- Boromycin, Structure and Properties
- Chiral Concave Molecules
1973-74: Prof. Hans Selye (University of Montreal)
Prof. Hans Selye
University of Montreal
- Stress Without Distress
- Creativity in Research
1972-73: Dr. Julius Axelrod (National Institutes of Health)
Dr. Julius Axelrod
National Institutes of Health
- Regulation of the Adrenergic Neurotransmitter
- The Use of Drugs in Biomedical Research
1971-72: Prof. Walter J. Kauzmann (Princeton University)
Prof. Walter J. Kauzmann
Princeton University
- Chemical and Biological Effects of Pressure
I. Fundamental Principles
II. Some Applications
1970-71: Prof. James F. Danielli (SUNY Buffalo)
Prof. James F. Danielli
State University of New York at Buffalo
- Theory and Hypotheses in Development of Concept of the Plasma Membrane
- Artificial Synthesis of Living Cells
1969-70: Prof. Daniel E. Koshland (University of California)
Prof. Daniel E. Koshland
University of California
- A Molecular Model for Enzyme Regulation
- Peptide-Peptide Interactions
1968-69: Prof. Henry Eyring (University of Utah)
Prof. Henry Eyring
University of Utah
- Structure of Water and Ionic Solution
- Optical Rotatory Dispersion and Circular Dichroism
- Transport Through Membranes
1967-68: Prof. Jerrold Meinwald (Cornell University)
Prof. Jerrold Meinwald
Cornell University
- Chemistry of Insect Attractants and Repellents
1966-67: Professors E. P. Abraham (Oxford); Karl Heusler (Woodward Research Institute, Switzerland); Klaus Hofmann, (University of Pittsburgh)
Prof. E. P. Abraham
University of Oxford
Penicillins and Cephalosporins: Their Chemistry in Relation to Biological Activity
Dr. Karl Heusler
Woodward Research Institute, Basle, Switzerland
Advances in Total Synthesis of Lactam Antibiotics
Prof. Klaus Hofmann
University of Pittsburgh
The Partial Synthesis of Active Enzymes
1965-56: Prof. Myron L. Bender (Northwestern University)
Prof. Myron L. Bender
Northwestern University
- Organic Models of Enzymatic Catalysis
- Mechanisms of Chymotrypsin Catalysis
1964-65: Dr. Karl J. Brunings (Geigy Chemical Corp)
Dr. Karl J. Brunings
Geigy Chemical Corp
- Medicinal Research: A Field of Common Interest for the Universities, Industry, and Government
- Drugs Affecting Endogenous Amines
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents
1963-64: Professors I. M. Kolthoff (University of MN) Dr. Karol Mysels (University of Southern California); Dr. W. B. Whalley (University of London)
Prof. I. M. Kolthoff
University of Minnesota
- The Development of Analytical Chemistry
- Induced Reactions
Prof. Karol Mysels
University of Southern California
- The Evolution and Properties of Thick Soap Films
- Equilibrium Soap Films and Intermolecular Forces
Prof. W. B. Whalley
University of London
- The Constitution of Some Non-Alkaloidal Constituents of Ergot
- The Sclerotiorin Group of Pigments: Their Chemistry and Biosynthesis
1962-63: Dr. Max Tishler (Perspectives in Pharmaceutical Chemistry) and Dr. Odin W. Anderson (University of Chicago)
Dr. Max Tishler
Merck Sharp and Dohme Research Laboratories
Perspectives in Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Prof. Odin W. Anderson
University of Chicago
The Health Service Establishment Today
1961-62: Prof. Alfred Burger (University of Virginia)
Prof. Alfred Burger
University of Virginia
- Medicinal Chemistry: Its Problems and Hopes
- Nonhydrazine Inhibitors of Monoamine Oxidase
1960-61: Dr. Robert P. Fischelis (American Pharmaceutical Association)
Dr. Robert P. Fischelis
American Pharmaceutical Association
- Pharmacy and Medical Care
- Pharmacy and the Pharmaceutical Industry
- Pharmacy and the Public
1959-60: Prof. Ewart A. Swinyard (University of Utah)
Prof. Ewart A. Swinyard
University of Utah
- Drugs: From Animals to Man
- Experimental Seizures and Research
1958-59: Dr. Emil Schlitter (CIBA Pharmaceutical Products, Inc.)
Dr. Emil Schlitter
CIBA Pharmaceutical Products, Inc.
- The Drug Industry and Its Research Problems
- The Importance of Research in the Drug Industry
- Projects for the Drug Industry
1957-58: Dr. Thomas J. Carney (Eli Lilly and Company) and Prof. A. H. Beckett (Chelsea College of Science and Technology)
Dr. Thomas J. Carney
Eli Lilly and Company
- Major Problems in medicinal Chemical Research
- Natural Products in Medicinal Chemistry
Prof. A. H. Beckett
Chelsea College of Science and Technology
- Synthetic Analgesics: Stereochemical Considerations
- Attempts to design Drugs Posessing (a) Analgesic Activity and (b) Antibacterial Activity
1956-57: Dr. Sidney Siggia (General Aniline and Film Corp.)
Dr. Sidney Siggia
General Aniline and Film Corp.
- Modern Analytical Chemistry
- Organic Functional Group Analysis by Chemical Means
1955-56: Prof. Lyman C. Craig (Rockefeller Institute)
Prof. Lyman C. Craig
Rockefeller Institute
- Application of Extraction to Studies of Naturally Occurring Substances
- Chemical Structure of Some Naturally Occurring Polypeptides