The Karl E. Rickels Professorship of Psychiatry

Karl Eduard Rickels

The Professorship was created in 1993 by Karl Rickels, MD, the Stuart and Emily Mudd Professor of Human Behavior and Reproduction at the Perelman School of Medicine, to honor the memory of his father, Karl Eduard Rickels, PhD (1895–1971).

Karl Eduard Rickels was the successful CEO of a chocolate company in Germany, as well as an economist, poet, musician/composer, philosopher, and fine artist. His unfulfilled dream to study medicine was realized by his three children who, through the encouragement and support of their father, pursued careers as physicians. The Professorship stands as a legacy in loving memory of the father of Karl Rickels, MD.


 

Henry R. KranzlerCurrent Chairholder 

Henry R. Kranzler, MD

Henry R. Kranzler, MD, research focuses on the genetics and pharmacological treatment of alcohol and drug dependence and common co-morbid psychiatric disorders, including personalized treatment approaches. Throughout his nearly 30-year career, teaching students, psychiatric residents, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty has been a major focus of his activities. Initially, Dr. Kranzler spent considerable time teaching the clinical aspects of addiction, but over the past two decades, the focus of that effort has shifted to teaching clinical investigation into addictions.

Dr. Kranzler received his medical degree from the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and completed a psychiatric residency and a fellowship in alcohol research at the University of Connecticut Health Center.  He came to Penn Medicine in 2010 after a lengthy career at the University of Connecticut, where he was an Associate Scientific Director of the Alcohol Research Center, Program Director of the Lowell P. Weicker General Clinical Research Center, and Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Research.

Previous Chairholder

  • Wade H. Berrettini, MD, PhD 1998-2023