Pharmacology and
Drug Development

Program

     Pharmacology is an important area of science and medicine focused on the study of drug action.  This discipline focuses on interactions between living organisms and chemicals/pharmaceuticals that affect their (normal or abnormal) function. Thus, it bridges chemistry and medicine, spanning molecular, cellular, and organismal levels of biology. It also encompasses the drug discovery, development, and approval process – important areas for physicians to appreciate and take into account in their clinical practice.  The Pharmacology and Drug Development area of focus is designed to expand students’ knowledge in pharmacological principles, learn about the drug development process, preclinical testing, and clinical trials (i.e., bench to bedside), and gain tools and resources that will enable them to evaluate drugs they may apply in their clinical practice.  In addition, students will have a research experience in an experimental and/or computational pharmacology or drug development project that addresses a specific therapeutic need with a faculty member affiliated with Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology.  Faculty mentors are available in a broad range of disciplines, including pharmacology, dermatology, endocrinology & metabolism, nephrology, ophthalmology, cardiology, cancer/oncology, psychiatry, surgery, and neurology.  The program will also offer the opportunity for students to interact with clinician and basic scientists, who are involved in the drug discovery process and are translating their research into novel therapeutics. 

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Faculty