Nancy Rutledge Zahniser (October 26, 1948 – May 5, 2016) was an American pharmacologist, best known for her work involving the mechanism of dopaminergic pathways and chemical modifications of them.
Although born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Zahniser grew up in Chillicothe, Ohio and subsequently enrolled at the College of Wooster, where she obtained a degree in chemistry.
Zahniser went on to complete her post-doctoral training at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center's Department of Pharmacology and then became a part of the faculty there.
In addition to her work as a professor, Zahniser was also a member of several boards, committees, review panels, and professional societies related to pharmacology, neuroscience, and addiction.
[3] After earning her doctoral degree, Zahniser was trained as a postdoctoral fellow by Perry Molinoff at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
[3][4] Upon completion of post-doctoral training in 1980, Zahniser became an instructor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine's Department of Pharmacology and soon joined the faculty, obtaining tenure in 1991.
[1] Zahniser's role in these positions proved crucial for those who sought funding by the university for related scientific projects, including various awards and fellowships.
[1] The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America foundation presented her with the Award in Excellence in Pharmacology/Toxicology both in 1984 and 2014 for her work involving addiction to drugs of abuse and its relation to dopamine regulation.