Randall L. Commissaris

Randall L. Commissaris, Ph.D., serves as Associate Professor in Pharmaceutical Sciences at Wayne State University's College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences and holds an adjunct appointment in Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at the School of Medicine. With continuous service since 1987, he teaches core pharmacology courses including Principles of Pharmacotherapy and Drugs of Abuse through Winter Term 2025.

His educational foundation includes a BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Alma College (1976), PhD from Michigan State University (1981), and postdoctoral training at Yale University School of Medicine (1981).

Dr. Commissaris maintains dual research foci: distracted driving using advanced simulators to quantify impacts of texting and substances like marijuana on driving performance across age groups, and behavioral pharmacology investigating neuropharmacological mechanisms of drugs of abuse and psychiatric medications through rodent models of anxiety and fear conditioning. His work on serotonin receptors (5-HT1A) and startle reflex modulation has established significant methodological frameworks.

Publications reveal an evolving trajectory from foundational neuropharmacology studies (2000-2006) toward applied driving safety research (2010-2015), demonstrating interdisciplinary translation from basic mechanisms to real-world impairment assessment.

His distinguished recognition includes:

• Seven-time recipient of WSU College of Pharmacy "Teacher of the Year" (1985-1988, 1995-1996, 2014)
• Mead Johnson Fellowship from ACNP (1982)
• Burroughs Welcome International Scholars Award (1996-97)
• WSU Academic Achievement Award in Natural Sciences (1991)

Supported by awards like the Burroughs Welcome grant, his mentorship spans decades of student training in pharmacology and toxicology. Current research leverages driving simulator technology to inform legislative standards for substance-impaired driving, while maintaining active investigation of neurotransmitter systems underlying anxiety disorders.

His laboratory operations integrate human factors testing with rodent behavioral pharmacology, utilizing specialized equipment for startle reflex measurement and driving simulation studies.