On Friday, July 25, the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) proudly hosted the annual Chauncey Leake Memorial Lecture, a distinguished event honoring excellence in research and education. This year, we were privileged to welcome Dr. John R. Mantsch as our esteemed guest lecturer and honoree.

Dr. Mantsch delivered a compelling and insightful presentation titled "Breaking the Cycle: Exploring the Link Between Stress and Drug Use." His lecture shed light on the complex neurobiological mechanisms that connect stress to substance use disorders, offering valuable perspectives that are both timely and impactful for the scientific and medical communities.

Following the lecture, a reception was held in recognition of Dr. Mantsch’s contributions. The photo below captures a special moment from the event, as Dr. Lawrence Sowers presents Dr. Mantsch with a commemorative award in appreciation of his outstanding work and participation in this year’s memorial lecture.