Over a year ago we lost an exceptional faculty colleague and researcher, Dr. Maharaj ‘Raj’ Ticku. He was a professor of pharmacology and psychiatry at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. During his career of nearly three decades, he was awarded millions of dollars in research grants from the National Institutes of Health, and was the recipient of the prestigious MERIT award from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism at the National Institutes of Health, an honor bestowed upon only the top one percent of scientists. We hope to continue his legacy at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
Dr. Ticku’s nationally recognized research demonstrated how the chronic use of alcohol and sedatives overtime could change the delicate chemistry of the brain, modifying the expression(s) and function(s) of receptors, (the cellular structures by which neurons communicate). He made numerous ground-breaking discoveries regarding the neurobiology of gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) receptor(s), publishing his first paper on the subject in 1980. For more than two decades, Dr. Ticku was at the forefront of research on GABA and N-methyl-D-aspirate receptors, which included alcohol, sedatives, and other drugs of abuse. The sheer number of his publications on the topic is only exceeded by the unanimously high quality of literary contributions that came from his laboratory. Over the course of his career Dr. Ticku published 183 journal papers, wrote 24 invited chapters for various compendia, and delivered 80 invited symposia and/or plenary lectures at various national and international conferences. Despite his more than 30 years of major contributions, largely to research on alcoholism, he continued to expand his interests and expertise. In the past few years Dr. Ticku characterized the mechanism of another drug of abuse known as (GBH), and was awarded a new grant to use state-of-the-art epigenetic approaches to study the heritability of alcoholism. He truly was a pioneer and an innovator throughout his career.
Dr. Ticku is remembered for many things: his research, leadership, integrity, friendship, infectious laughter, humor, and overall his honesty. He is missed most by his family and especially by his two daughters, Leslie and Shara. Many of us are still at a loss without him here today.
We would like to take this time to reflect on his life, and most of all, his life’s work, which has had an influence on alcohol research worldwide. As an academician, we can think of no greater honor to bestow on Dr. Ticku’s memory, than to establish a permanent endowment in the Department of Pharmacology named in his honor, where he spent a majority of his life. An endowment named for a faculty member is an honor that is not easily bestowed to many individuals, and is a true reflection of the deep respect and admiration many had for Dr. Ticku. This will allow us to continue to support his area of research and at the same time, leave a lasting legacy that will forever bear his name. At the time of Dr. Ticku’s sudden death, there were many in his lab who were at a loss. By remembering his perseverance and drive for excellence they have carried on his research. We wish to let others know about Dr. Ticku, who even after his departure continues to be a role model for our students and future generations of scientists.
At this time, we hope you may consider supporting the Dr. Raj Ticku Memorial Fund. The goal of this fund is to establish an endowment that will support research in alcoholism, and serve as a lasting legacy to Dr. Ticku and his life’s work. Through our efforts we hope to establish an endowed professorship in his name that will honor the accomplishment of Dr. Ticku’s during his tenure with The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio.
Your contribution to this fund is greatly appreciated, and will serve to promote the highest quality of research in the Department of Pharmacology. If you have any questions about this endowment fund, or the ongoing research in Dr. Ticku’s area at The UT Health Science Center, please do not hesitate to contact me personally. You may mail your contribution to us directly at UT Health Science Center San Antonio, GSBS Dean’s Office, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, MC 7835, San Antonio, Texas 78229 or to make a donation online CLICK HERE.
All contributions are 100% tax deductible, and a receipt will be sent for each contribution. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Alan Frazer, PhD
Chair, Department of Pharmacology
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