Brian K. Dallaire '75 is the 2007 recipient of Thornton Academy's Distinguished Alumni Award, which is sponsored by the Alumni Association and recognizes outstanding lifetime achievements of TA graduates in the hope of fostering aspiration in graduating seniors and undergraduates.

Brian Dallaire '75, right, received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Alumni Board Vice President David LePauloue '84 at baccalaureate. The award recognizes outstanding achievements of an alumni and helps foster aspiration among recent graduates and undergraduates.

Dallaire, who received his award May 27 during the baccalaureate ceremony for this year's graduating class, is founder and president of Lighthouse Clinical Development, which specializes in helping the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries plan strategies for clinical development.

He is also a clinical consultant to Aiko Biotechnology, a Maine-based group that is developing drugs to augment morphine for the treatment of pain.

Prior to forming his company, Dallaire served as senior director for medical affairs and senior director of clinical trials management at IDEC Pharmaceuticals in San Diego. He was part of an IDEC team that developed the drug Rituxan, a genetically engineered antibody used to treat non-Hodgkins lymphoma, as well as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and lupus.

Dallaire was inspired to enter the field of scientific research after his cousin, Deb Petit, died of cancer when he was 11 years old.

"My career has taken me to six states and two countries, but I have come full circle to return to my roots here in Maine," Dallaire told the Class of 2007. "Have fun at what you do well. Most of all be flexible. I have been fortunate to enjoy my pursuits, while at the same helping people with some very serious diseases and maintaining some ideals developed at Thornton.

"Think globally, but act locally. Always maintain your roots that you have set down here, because for the long term, these will be some of the relationships that you will cherish the most throughout your lives. And remember to give back to the community in what every way that you can."

Dallaire received his bachelor's degree from the University of Rhode Island and his doctorate from the University of Cincinnati Hospital, both in pharmacy. He lives in San Diego, CA, and Hills Beach with his wife Debbie, and serves on the board of trustees at the University of New England, where he is now working to establish a School of Pharmacy.

See a list of past recipients