Submitted by John Doull
Stata Norton passed away on August 25, 2012. Dr. Norton was the former Dean of the School of Health Professions and Professor Emeritus of pharmacology, toxicology, and therapeutics. While at the University of Kansas, Dr. Norton served as Professor of Pharmacology, Professor of Dietetics and Nutrition, and as Dean of the School of Health Professions (formerly the School of Applied Health). In addition, she held a professorship at the Institute for Cell Biology in Valencia, Spain.
Born in Mount Kisco, New York, in 1922, Dr. Norton received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in zoology and physiological chemistry from the University of Connecticut (BA), and Columbia University (MA), and the University of Wisconsin (PhD). After working for 13 years at Burroughs Wellcome Research Laboratories in Tuckahoe, New York, Dr. Norton joined the faculty of the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Kansas Medical Center in 1962, where she was employed until her retirement as Emeritus Professor in 1990.
According to a tribute by University of Kansas Acting Executive Vice Chancellor Steven Stites and Karen L. Miller, Senior Vice Chancellor, Dr. Norton was “esteemed by students and colleagues who recognized her passion for improving clinical practice through application of research principles and evidence supporting quality improvements.” She was the author of over 150 research articles and reviews and was recognized internationally for her work on characterizing the effects of drugs and toxins on animal behavior. She joined the Society of Toxicology in 1974 and was a member of the Ethics and Membership Committees and previously chaired the Education Committee.