AAPS Named Patrick Sinko Chief Science Officer
The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists selected the long-term member to oversee its scientific strategy.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in People
The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists has appointed Patrick Sinko as its new chief science officer. Sinko, a pharmacist and academic, will lead the organization's scientific strategy and peer-reviewed journal portfolio.
Why it matters
The appointment positions a veteran researcher to guide the scientific direction of a major professional association. Sinko will leverage his extensive academic and industry background to influence the organization's programming and publication standards.
Patrick Sinko has authored or co-authored more than 475 publications and trained approximately 110 students and postdocs. He brings experience from 30 years of continuous National Institutes of Health and industry funding to the AAPS leadership team.
The players
Patrick Sinko
He is a pharmacist and researcher who holds a doctorate and has founded companies such as NaviCyte and Theraport Biosciences.
American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists
It is a nonprofit professional organization with more than 7,000 members dedicated to advancing pharmaceutical science.
The details
In his new capacity, Sinko will coordinate the scientific strategy for the nonprofit, which includes over 7,000 members across the pharmaceutical field. While taking on these duties, he will continue to maintain his existing academic appointment at Rutgers University.
Timeline
Patrick Sinko joined the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists in 1986.
Sinko began his faculty tenure at Rutgers University in 1991.
From 2007 to 2018, Sinko served as associate vice president for research.
The AAPS PharmSci 360 meeting is scheduled for October 25 to October 28, 2026.
Market Landscape
This leadership transition aligns the organization's executive strategy with the broader shift toward integrating academic research expertise into professional scientific associations. By appointing a career academic, AAPS aims to strengthen its competitive position in curating high-impact, peer-reviewed pharmaceutical research.
The transition will directly impact how AAPS members and academic researchers access scientific programming and publication opportunities. Members can expect shifts in the focus of peer-reviewed journals and upcoming scientific conferences under the new leadership strategy.
The takeaway
The appointment emphasizes the growing value of cross-pollination between academic research and professional industry associations. Readers should note that deep industry-academic ties are increasingly central to the governance of large-scale scientific nonprofits.
What happens next
The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists will host its PharmSci 360 meeting in New Orleans from October 25 to October 28, 2026.
Further reading
Find more career updates and leadership changes in the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Research & Development World.
