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Obituary for Dr Daniel Morton

Dr Daniel Morton, 59, died September 30, 2015 in Columbus, Ohio, following a long battle with cancer. He was a preeminent toxicologic and veterinary pathologist and laboratory animal veterinarian. Dan received his DVM from Colorado State University in 1983, his MS from The Ohio State University in 1985, and his PhD from the University of Illinois in 1990. He was a diplomate of both the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine and the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP). He served as a clinical assistant professor and assistant director of the Office of Laboratory Animal Care, University of Illinois, from 1989 to 1993, as a senior research scientist at Baxter Healthcare Corporation from 1993 to1994, and as a veterinary pathologist at Abbott Laboratories from 1994 to 1998. In 1998 he joined G. D. Searle in Skokie, Illinois, which in 2000 merged with Pharmacia and Upjohn to become Pharmacia Corporation. At Searle and Pharmacia, Dan advanced from an assistant director to director and pathology site head. After the 2003 Pfizer acquisition of Pharmacia, Dan joined Pfizer in Groton, Connecticut, rising to research fellow and working additionally at the Cambridge and Andover sites. Dr Morton was a pioneer and thought leader in toxicologic and comparative pathology and drug safety risk assessment. He led a sustained international effort over 2 decades promoting the development of alternatives to the 2-year rodent carcinogenicity bioassay. His work ultimately altered scientific and regulatory thinking regarding these bioassays. Dr Morton also served in key leadership roles in the ACVP, including chair of the Examination Committee and the Role Delineation Task Force, and as a member of the Strategic Planning Committee. He served on the ACVP Certification Examination Board through 2014 and on the Certifying Examination Redesign Committee from 2014 until his death. Concurrently, Dan served as secretary/treasurer and then as president of the Society of Toxicologic Pathology. He also served many roles for the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine, including chair of the Examination Committee. In 2008, Dan received the Presidential Award from the ACVP for his leadership and vision of the college’s first role delineation study. In 2013, he received the Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development Achievement Award for his work related to nonclinical carcinogenicity assessment. In 2014, he received the Society of Toxicologic Pathology’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2015 he was selected as a Distinguished Member of the ACVP. The last 2 awards are the highest awards given by these 2 professional organizations. Dan was the epitome of the quiet leader: he led not through the force of his ego but by his thoughts and actions. He elevated the people around him, gave credit for successes rather than taking it, and accepted personal responsibility instead of directing blame at others. Dan helped to guide a generation of toxicologic pathologists, and his death leaves a void that will be felt by many. Survivors include his wife of 31 years, Laura Dill Morton, and 2 sons, John Morton and Matthew Morton.