Simon Haroutounian, PhD, has been announced today as the Chief of the Division of Clinical and Translational Research (DoCTR). Dr. Haroutounian has held the position in an interim capacity since July 2019 and also serves as Associate Professor of Anesthesiology. He is also an Honorary Associate Professor of Anesthesiology in the Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark, and an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy.
“During his tenure, Simon has been integral in continuing the forward momentum of DoCTR,” said Robert Gereau, PhD, Vice Chair for Research for the Department of Anesthesiology. “He has done an exceptional job in the interim role, and we’re extremely fortunate to have an accomplished and talented leader like Simon at the helm advancing the division’s mission.”
As Chief, Dr. Haroutounian will continue to mentor trainees and junior and mid-level faculty in clinical and translational research and promote collaborative efforts both within the Department and across the School of Medicine. He will also continue to oversee strategic planning for the Division’s research enterprise and foster an environment for academic growth, innovation, and productivity.
Since joining the Department in 2014, Dr. Haroutounian has established himself as an outstanding investigator, a collegial collaborator, a first-class educator and mentor, a compassionate clinician in his role as a pain pharmacist, and a talented leader. In addition to leading his own productive clinical pain research program, Dr. Haroutounian has taken on numerous leadership roles at the University, including serving as Section Chief of Clinical Research for the Washington University Pain Center, and as Pharmacology Course Director at the School of Medicine. For this latter role, Dr. Haroutounian received the WashU’s Distinguished Service Teaching Award in 2016. He was also awarded the prestigious Carol B. and Jerome T. Loeb Teaching Fellowship. Dr. Haroutounian is widely published, has a number of editorial and committee responsibilities, and is frequently invited to speak both nationally and internationally about his research.