Kenneth E. Moore, aged 90 years, died on January 9, 2024. He was an ACNP Fellow Emeritus and was accepted into membership in 1973.

Ken obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in pharmacy from the University of Alberta and his PhD in pharmacology from the University of Michigan. He began his academic career at Dartmouth College.

Subsequently, Ken was one of the first professors in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Michigan State University (MSU), after joining in 1966. He chaired this department for 14 years. As professor emeritus, Ken continued to teach at MSU until 2001. Following his retirement, the department established the Kenneth Moore Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of his devotion to training graduate students. His outstanding service to MSU was recognized in 1998 when Ken was awarded the Distinguished Faculty Award, one of the highest honors awarded to MSU faculty.

Ken’s work focused on investigating the responses of hypothalamic dopaminergic neurons to pharmacological, endocrinological, and environmental manipulations. Using neurochemical methods that his colleagues and he developed or refined, Ken demonstrated that hypothalamic dopaminergic neurons differ in many fundamental ways from the “classic” nigrostriatal and mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons. His groundbreaking research was supported continuously from 1962 to 2000 by grants from the National Institutes of Health. He authored or co-authored 277 original research articles, 42 book chapters or review articles and one of the first psychopharmacology textbooks, “Introduction to Psychopharmacology.”Footnote 1

Ken held many leadership positions of over decades of service to the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET), including Secretary-Treasurer, Chair of the Board of Publications Trustees, and President. He was the recipient of its 2005 Torald Sollmann Award in recognition of his accomplishments in pharmacological education and investigation. He was among the inaugural fellows of ASPET.

Ken was a remarkable mentor to many graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. His commitment to their success, both personal and professional, was palpable. Ken had an incredible knack for helping individuals make the most of their experiences and opportunities. His role as a mentor did not end the day that trainees left his laboratory. Instead, he continued to watch over all who reached out, and to provide advice and encouragement. His impact on current and future generations of scientists and educators will endure.

Dr. Moore is survived by his wife of 70 years (Barry Moore), son (Grant Moore), daughter (Sandi Booth (and her husband (Stan)), daughter (Lynn Moore (and her partner (Greg DeRuiter)), and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Respectfully submitted by Annette E. Fleckenstein, MS, PhD, FASPET, University of Utah (fleckenstein@hsc.utah.edu)