University Libraries Promotion and Tenure Recognition

As a general pediatrician and clinical researcher, I have been quite fortunate to conduct research in areas of medicine that most people can understand and relate to. The first clinical trial that I led as a Penn State faculty member investigated whether commonly taken over-the-counter medications for cough and cold symptoms are effective at providing symptomatic relief for children. Our discovery that the medications were not superior to placebo was informative to the medical community, but astounding to the public resulting in national and international media attention. This plus our subsequent studies have contributed both to the knowledge base in this area, but also regulatory changes by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As a result of my research, I have been fortunate to meet global leaders in this field, notably Dr. Ronald Eccles from Cardiff University in Wales. Dr. Eccles is the foremost expert on the common cold around the world, and a terrific man. I therefore have chosen his book for this program.