Lt. David Thorn, PhD, '15
Lieutenant David Thorn, PhD, who earned his PhD in 2015, completed his dissertation with Jun-Xu Li, MD, PhD, whom Dr. Thorn credits with providing him invaluable tools to succeed in his career.
Meet David Thorn, Alumnus
What is your biggest professional achievement since graduating from UB?
In 2024, I was awarded the Commendation Medal “for exceptional efforts that led to research with major public health implications.”
What was the best part of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology?
The recurring Works in Progress (WIPS) meetings in which staff, students and post-docs shared project updates. The scientific dialogue during these meetings was unparalleled.
What would you tell your younger PMY self?
Hang in there. You’ll have your weekends back one day.
What is one thing that you learned in PMY you have made the most of?
My PhD advisor, Dr. Jun-Xu Li, taught me his scientific writing style. Though he also taught me other critical skills, it is the writing that has and continues to pay dividends throughout my post-UB career.
What inspired you to get into the work that you’re doing?
Honestly, it was Buffalo. I shifted out of being an opioid research PI to becoming a scientific reviewer for FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products solely as a path to set down roots in WNY. The surprise was that I fell in love with my current position more than my previous FDA work.
Even though you are a Senior Regulatory Officer at the FDA, what do you consider to be your expertise? And is that because of training, real life experience or a combination of both?
I’d say my expertise is designing, executing, and evaluating pharmacological research. I thank PMY and Jun-Xu for being the primary drivers for that expertise.
How do you celebrate your successes?
By hanging out with my family and enjoying good WNY food. Go Bills!
If you were to give a class, what would you love to talk about and what would be required reading?
“Totality of Evidence,” a course that navigates solving scientific puzzles with limited pieces while maintaining scientific rigor. No required reading; just inquisitive minds.
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? And what skills from those aspirations apply to what you do now?
I wanted to be a scientist, a veterinarian, and join the military. I somehow found a path to become all three—though I no longer perform surgery in my current role.