The Edward F Domino Research Center is named for Dr. Ed Domino, a pioneer in Psychopharmacology, the study of drugs on the brain. Dr. Domino was a member of the faculty at the University of Michigan since 1953. He taught and mentored generations of undergraduate, graduate, and medical students across campus. Dr. Domino was a highly respected and active emeritus faculty member until his passing in November of 2021 at the age of 96.  Dr. Domino's obituary is here.  You can read more about Dr. Domino here.

Members of the EFDRC use cutting edge basic science and translational approaches, embracing medicinal and analytical chemistry, cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, pharmacology and animal behavioral studies, to discover and implement evidence-based medications for pain and addictive disorders. This includes addiction to opioids, stimulants and food as well as co-morbid psychiatric disorders.

The EFDRC trains enthusiastic graduate students and postdoctoral scientists to tackle problems of pain and addiction using the most modern technological approaches in an interdisciplinary environment. These are the next generation who will continue to solve these problems so that we can understand the biology, identify novel targets for interventions, and save lives.

EFDRC members have considerable collaborations across campus and outside the University of Michigan and will continue to grow and develop these interdisciplinary connections.

The EFDRC provides a source of knowledge on the biology of pain and addiction and acts as a resource for the University of Michigan community as well as an outreach and education resource for local schools and other institutions.

Roy Davage Hudson, PhD Pharmacology 1962

Dr. Hudson was a graduate student in Zoology at Michigan in 1956 and took a summer job working for Dr. Domino. After completing his MS in Zoology, he transferred to Pharmacology to pursue his PhD with Ed Domino. He received his PhD in 1962 and was appointed as an assistant professor in Pharmacology.  Dr. Hudson was the first African American faculty member.  He left Michigan in July of 1966 for Brown University, where he was an Associate Professor of Medical Science and Associate Dean of the Medical School.  He also taught pharmacology at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.  He was the president of Hampton University from 1970 -1976, and Dr. Domino attended his inauguration at Hampton.

After leaving Hampton University, he returned to pharmacology and served as the Director (later as Vice President) of the research labs at Parke Davis from 1977 -1979. This was followed by multiple roles at Upjohn, initially as Director of Research (of the central nervous system) from 1981 - 1987; Vice President of Research and Development in Europe from 1987 - 1990; Vice President of Corporate Public Relations.

Dr. Hudson retired in 1992 but continued to serve as the interim president of his alma mater (BS) Livingstone College from 1995 - 1996.

He was awarded honorary degrees from Brown University, Lehigh University, and Princeton University. He and his wife, Constance (also a University of Michigan alumnus) live in Georgia.