Linval DePass

Dr. Linval DePass is Executive Director of Nonclinical Safety at Durect Corporation in Cupertino, California. He is responsible for designing and managing most of the nonclinical studies that are required for the successful development of new drug candidates. These include toxicology, safety pharmacology, pharmacokinetic and general pharmacology studies.
He earned his B.S. with a biology major from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., an M.S. in biology from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL, and a Ph.D. in toxicology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, AR. After completing his Ph.D., he did chemical industry toxicology at the Bushy Run Research Center of Union Carbide Corporation near Pittsburgh, PA. He then moved to the pharmaceutical industry working first for Syntex Corporation in Palo Alto, CA. When Syntex was acquired by Hoffmann LaRoche, he stayed and worked for Roche for several years before moving to Durect Corporation.
Dr. DePass has authored or co-authored 26 peer-reviewed journal articles and is a member of several professional societies, including the Society of Toxicology, the American College of Toxicology, the Safety Pharmacology Society, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Dr. DePass was certified by the American Board of Toxicology (DABT) and is currently certified by the Academy of Toxicological Sciences.

• 2021-2022 mentee: Cassandra Myers
• 2023-2024 mentee: Zaria Jackson