After more than 25 years of distinguished service as professor and chairman of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, James D. Potter, Ph.D., has decided to step down as chairman to pursue his research full time.
A pioneer in the field of muscle contraction and regulation, Dr. Potter is also considered a leader in the investigations of troponin and of cardiomyopathy due to troponin mutations. He is also an expert in thin filament biochemistry and cellular physiology, and his work concerning the thin filament regulation of force has provided some of the foundation for much of what is known about this area.
Additionally, Dr. Potter has served the Miller School as co-director of the Executive Office of Research Leadership (2001-2003), chairman of UMs Intercollegiate Athletic Drug Testing Committee, and as a member of the Miller Schools Medical Development Search Committee, Research Strategy Task Force Committee, Executive Research Council and the Deans Research Cabinet.
Charles W. Luetje, Ph.D., has agreed to accept the role of interim chairman of molecular and cellular pharmacology. He has served as vice chair of the department since June 2004.
After more than 25 years of distinguished service as professor and chairman of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, James D. Potter, Ph.D., has decided to step down as chairman to pursue his research full time. 
