Last updated on: 8/28/2009 | Author: ProCon.org

Tom Werner, PhD Biography

Title:
Florence B. Sherwood Professor of Physical Sciences Emeritus at Union College
Position:
Not Clearly Pro or Con to the question "Should Performance Enhancing Drugs (Such as Steroids) Be Accepted in Sports?"
Reasoning:

“There’s a lot of speculation about the percentage of athletes who are using performance-enhancing drugs. There are always new versions of drugs coming out and new ways for athletes to take the drugs. The unfortunate thing is, most might not be doing it, and maybe even the vast majority aren’t, but they all get tarred with the same label now… There’s a lot of cynicism among sports fans. When [Olympic swimmer] Dara Torres does something, the first response now is, is she really on something?”

“Retired Professor Combines Chemistry, Sports,” Daily Gazette, June 25, 2009
Theoretical Expertise Ranking:
    Experts
Individuals with MDs, JDs, PhDs, or equivalent advanced degrees in fields relevant to performance enhancing drugs and sports. Also top-level government officials (such as foreign leaders, US presidents, Founding Fathers, Supreme Court Justices, members of legislative bodies, cabinet members, military leaders, etc.) with positions relevant to performance enhancing drugs and sports.
Involvement and Affiliations:
  • Florence B. Sherwood Professor of Physical Sciences Emeritus, Union College
  • American Chemical Society Lecture Tour speaker on performance-enhancing drug use in sports
  • Recipient, Faculty Meritorious Service Award, Union College, 2008
  • Recipient, Outstanding Science Graduate Award, Juniata College, 2008
  • Recipient, American Chemical Society Award for Research at an Undergraduate Institution, for contributions to chemistry and the development of students, 2002
  • Recipient, Mary McCleod Bethume Award, Union College Academic Opportunity Program (AOP) and the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), 1995
  • Chair of Chemistry, Union College, 1985-1991
  • Professor of Chemistry, Union College, 1971-1985
  • Former Chair of the Board of Governors of the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR)
Education:
  • PhD, Analytical Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 1969
  • BS, Chemistry, Juniata College, 1964
Other: