Rajender Aparasu

A nationally recognized pharmacy scholar and educational leader with over 25 years of experience. Dr. Rajender R. Aparasu is an Endowed Professor and Founding Chair of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy at the University of Houston - College of Pharmacy. Dr. Aparasu began his academic career at South Dakota State University – College of Pharmacy in 1995 after earning his Ph.D. from the University of Louisiana – Monroe. He later joined the University of Houston - College of Pharmacy in 2006, where he trained over 30 graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in pharmaceutical outcomes research and policy. His research team's goal is to provide real-world evidence for practice and policy using available data sources and novel methodological and analytical approaches for causal inference in observational research. He has continuous Federal and non-governmental grants to address the geriatric quality of pharmaceutical care. He has served on various national task forces on education, safety, and healthcare. He is the Editor-in-Chief for Drug, Healthcare, and Patient Safety (Taylor & Francis). He is the editor of three textbooks, Research Methods for Pharmaceutical Practice and Policy (Pharmaceutical Press), Principles of Research Design and Drug Literature Evaluation (McGraw Hill), and Student Handbook for Pharmacy Practice Research ( McGraw Hill). Dr. Aparasu has published over 180 peer-reviewed manuscripts and has given over 300 presentations at national and international meetings. He was listed on the World’s Top 2% Scientists in 2020, 2021, & 2022 based on various citation metrics in his area as per PLOS Biology. He serves as a grant reviewer for the American Heart Association (AHA), Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In 2012, he was recognized as a Fellow of the American Pharmacists Association (FAPhA) for his exemplary professional achievements and outstanding service and contribution to the pharmacy profession, in 2016, he was selected for the Fulbright Specialist Roster. In 2022, he was honored by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) as the recipient of the Paul R. Dawson Award for Excellence in Patient Care Research.