Lee Limbird, PhD

Dr. Limbird joined the Department of Pharmacology of Vanderbilt University in 1979 and was named chair of the department in 1991. This appointment made her the first female department chair in the history of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

After serving as the chair of the Department of Pharmacology for seven years, Dr. Limbird was named as Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s first associate vice chancellor for Research, effectively placing her over all clinical and basic science research activities at VUMC.

In 2005, she retired from VUMC to join Meharry Medical College as vice president for Research and chair of Meharry’s multidisciplinary Department of Biomedical Sciences. In 2008, she moved to Fisk University where she serves as dean of the School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Business Administration.

A pioneering scholar in the field of pharmacology, Dr. Limbird’s research focuses on the basis for the actions of epinephrine and norepinephrine via alpha2-adrenergic receptors. She is the recipient of numerous scientific awards and distinctions.