James Blair West PhD

James Blair West February 15, 1957 January 5, 2019 J. Blair West, 61, of San Diego, CA died on January 5, 2019 in San Diego, CA. Blair passed away at home of natural causes. Blair was born in Elko, NV on February 15, 1957 to James Lee West and Ruth (Blair) West. In 1975, Blair left Nevada to attend Harvard University gaining his B.A. in Biochemistry in 1982. From 1982 to 1984, Blair gained invaluable experience serving as a Research Technician at Massachusetts General Hospital. After studying with Chi-Huey Wong, Ph.D. at Harvard, Blair joined Professor Wong's group at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. Blair received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Texas A&M in 1988. Blair's research focus was enzymatic peptide synthesis, protein chemistry and purification. In 1988 upon receiving his Ph.D., Blair joined Bend Research in Bend, Oregon. Blair spent 16 years with Bend Research serving initially as a Senior Research Chemist and ultimately as Director, Pharmaceutical Chemistry. While at Bend, Blair engaged in pioneering development of novel drug-delivery platforms including nanoparticulate, amorphous and bio-interactive formulations. Blair was an inventor on enzyme-triggered release, colon-specific release and muco-retentive release formulations. Upon departing Bend Research in 2004, Blair struck out on his own as an independent consultant focused upon adaptation of carbon nanotube technology to drug discovery applications, drug delivery applications, biosensors, selective absorbents, and bio-separations. In 2005 Blair joined AzoPharma in Miami, FL. Blair served in numerous positions during his 5-year tenure at Azo including Senior Vice President Formulations and CTM, Senior Vice President Technical Affairs and Senior Vice President Business Development and Technical Affairs. Departing Miami, Blair returned to Texas joining PharmaForm in Austin, TX in 2010. Continuing his career in the pharmaceutical formulation, contract development and manufacturing sector, Blair served as Vice President of Pharmaceutical Operations and ultimately as the Chief Scientific Officer leading all operations and scientific development projects for countless major international pharmaceutical companies. As PharmaForm relocated to San Diego, CA and became Formex and now BioDuro, Blair remained with the company in his capacity as Chief Scientific Officer for a combined 9 years. Blair's love of chemistry and the sciences, with the goal of improving patients' quality of life through enhanced pharmaceuticals, drug delivery and pharmaceutical science has been and will be Blair's enduring legacy. Blair's devotion to his passion for chemistry and the sciences may only have been superseded by his love for tobacco pipes, fine cigars and the best cordials. Growing up in rural Nevada was not easy for this gentle, "nerd" of a boy. His love of Mad-Libs, Dr. Who and eclectic music was not an easy way to make quick friends in Elko back in 1965. Blair, from a child through his final days, has always remained true to himself. He found his calling in the sciences. He enjoyed his passions as an audiophile and listing to obscure Finnish punk rock, his love of technology, and everything Apple manufactured. Succinctly put, Blair was a friend to all. Blair was truly a gentleman that sought solutions and not conflict, friendships and not discord. Every person fortunate to meet Blair became his friend and they were lucky for it. The world has lost one of the quiet, gentle, geniuses. May Blair Rest in Peace! Blair is survived by his uncle, Richard W. Blair, of Sparks, NV, as well as several cousins. Memorial Service in San Diego, CA Saturday, March 02 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM Stone Brewing - Liberty Station 2816 Historic Decatur Rd San Diego, CA 92016 In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Blair's name to the American Chemical Society and their charity fellowship program Project SEED. To make online donations please visit ACS' Project SEED. PROJECT SEED URL: https://www.donate.acs.org/eweb/ACSOLGTemplate.aspx?site=ACS_Giving&WebCode=program&prd_code=SEED_G&cid=bt_donate_seed&code=1000 For Donations by Mail: American Chemical Society Development Office 1155 Sixteenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20036 For larger donations or more information, please contact: Mary Bet Dobson Assistant Director of Individual Giving American Chemical Society m_dobson@acs.org (202) 872-4094