Interview with Wallace D. Winters

Wallace Winters exemplifies the model of the basic scientist/clinical toxicologist. His extensive research interests have led to a better understanding of central nervous system excitation and depression, and have included pioneering studies on the neuropharmacology of gammahydroxy butyrate that date back to the 1960s. Dr. Winters was born in New York, NY on June 20, 1929. He received his undergraduate degree at George Washington University, his Ph.D. in Pharmacology/Toxicology at the University of Wisconsin, and his M.D. at the Medical College of Wisconsin. From 1959 to 1962 Dr. Winters pursued postdoctoral studies at the Brain Research Institute at University of California, Los Angeles where he remained on the faculty rising to full Professor. In 1971, Dr. Winters relocated to University of California at Davis where he served as a Professor of Pharmacology/Toxicology for the next 20 years. During this time, Dr. Winters founded the University of California Davis Poison Control Center in Sacramento in 1977 and served as its first medical director until 1983. From 1979 to 1984 he served on the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology Board of Trustees. After retiring from University of California, Davis, Dr. Winters worked as a Medical Officer for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from 1991 to 1997, and continues to serve as a consultant and medical expert in clinical pharmacology and toxicology.