William C. Sessa, Ph.D. '90, Embarks on a New Chapter of his Distinguished Career
William C. Sessa, Ph.D. '90, Had a Chance Encounter with NYMC That Sparked a Career Full of Recognition for His Groundbreaking Work
William C. Sessa, Ph.D. '90, was pursuing a Master of Science (M.S.) in pharmacology at the University of Rhode Island School of Pharmacy when he became intrigued with the work of then-chair of the Department of Pharmacology for New York Medical College (NYMC), the late John C. McGiff, M.D. His appreciation of Dr. McGiff’s work led him to eventually attend NYMC, helping propel his career to heights including director of the vascular biology and therapeutics program and vice chairman of the Department of Pharmacology at Yale University School of Medicine and most recently a high-profile appointment as senior vice president and chief scientific officer of Pfizer’s Internal Medicine Research Unit (IMRU).
Dr. Sessa’s research into prostaglandins and their role in physiology and disease is what led to the chance encounter with Dr. McGiff’s work, which left Dr. Sessa so impressed that he penned a letter to Dr. McGiff, asking for to be considered as a Ph.D. student at NYMC. “He brought me into interview, we got along very well, and the rest is history,” Dr. Sessa said. History, which would include earning a M.S. and Ph.D. degree in pharmacology from NYMC and a career laden with awards and honors for his work.
The awards that span his career range from a Merck Award for Cardiovascular Research in 1992 as a fellow of the Council for High Blood Pressure Research for the American Heart Association (AHA) to the 2019 Earl P. Benditt Award, one of the North American Vascular Biology Organization’s highest honors for discovery or concept development, in recognition of his research in regulating nitric oxide production in the vascular endothelium, the inner cellular lining of arteries, veins and capillaries.
Dr. Sessa has always enjoyed researching cardiovascular disease drugs, given that the disease is often severe and a leading cause of death throughout the world. “There are no cures, [so] science in this area provides hope to many,” he said.
Making a difference is what drives Dr. Sessa to continue to learn more about diseases that may not have effective remedies yet. “I enjoy digging deeply into research problems and the quest for something new that may be impactful. I have always told the teams in my lab, with science there is always a chance to find something innovative or meaningful if you dig deep enough and keep your eyes open,” he said.
Dr. Sessa hasn’t only made a difference in the lab, but also in the classroom. He has served as the Alfred Gilman Professor of Pharmacology and Medicine in Cardiology at Yale School of Medicine. “I enjoy the discovery process and creating a legacy of trainees who are committed to all aspects of science and medicine,” he said of his time as a professor.
Although he has enjoyed his time teaching pharmacology and medical students, Dr. Sessa is preparing for a new phase in his illustrious career—his appointment at Pfizer, where he will lead their IMRU, to focus on discovering treatments for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases beginning in February 2022.
Dr. Sessa has previously spent time with Pfizer’s lab in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and has served on the IMRU’s advisory board since 2016. “I knew the science, scientists and leadership teams well. Once it became clear that I was a serious candidate, I got very excited about trying something new in a fantastic company,” he said.
Looking back, it has been a career full of success and recognition for Dr. Sessa, which he says he can thank in part to NYMC, whether it was his initial admiration of the research done by Dr. McGiff or the mentorship he received while at the College from his Ph.D. advisor Alberto Nasjletti M.D., former director of the pharmacology Ph.D. program and professor emeritus of pharmacology, both of whom he called “incredibly passionate scientists and role models for me and all the students.”
Dr. Sessa recalls his time at the College fondly, saying that he and other GSBMS alumni occasionally get together and reminisce about their time together and are appreciative of the “rigorous, high-quality training” they received that that helped paved the way for their careers.
“My time at NYMC was incredibly special and impactful in my life,” Dr. Sessa said.
