Department of Pharmacology and Physiology
Message from the Chair
The disciplines of pharmacology and physiology touch on virtually every field of the biomedical sciences, presenting endless opportunities to discover disease mechanisms and develop new treatments. This translational approach is at the basis of our work, firmly rooted in the concept of promoting a seamless and continuous transition between the basic and the clinical sciences.
Our faculty pursue a variety of scientific interests in the areas of neurological disorders, cancer therapeutics, pain, cardiovascular physiology, metabolism, substance abuse, HIV neuropathology and comorbidities. We invite you to visit their laboratory pages and learn more about ongoing research projects and available openings. Feel free to inquire if you have any questions!
Our training programs provide students with a wealth of advantages in considering career opportunities within academic and biopharmaceutical settings. We offer both traditional, research-intensive graduate programs in Pharmacology and Physiology (MS and PhD) and a professional program in Drug Discovery and Development (MS).
Positions Available
New Faculty Positions Available
The Department of Pharmacology & Physiology at Drexel University College of Medicine announces the opening of tenure-track faculty positions. Read more. [PDF]
Tenure-track Faculty Educators
· Pharmacology
Johnson & Johnson 4D Fellowship Program
The Drexel Drug Discovery and Development (4D) Fellowship program is a joint effort between Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine and Drexel’s Pharmacology and Physiology Department to support master’s students (in drug discovery and development or pharmacology and physiology) who have experienced challenges that limited their access to academic training and career opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry. Learn more.
"Not only do I enjoy the scientific research process, but I genuinely love the educational aspect of it. I love cultivating talents and contributing to the development of the scientists and health professionals of the future." Read more.
News and Announcements
Department Trainees Secure Awards at Discovery Day
Trainees from several labs in the department were honored for their outstanding work at the college of medicine’s annual Discovery Day. Our trainees took home Discovery Day’s top prize, the Amadeo Bondi Fellowship, and earned several awards for poster and platform presentations:
- Bondi Fellowship
Deepa Reddy, Ajit Lab
- Second place, platform presentation
Lindsay Barger, Romano Lab
- First place, senior graduate student poster
Isaac Turkson, Ajit Lab
- Third place, senior graduate student poster
Tofunmi Oteju, Gaskill Lab
- First place, junior graduate student poster
Amanda Modica, Gaskill/Matt Lab
- First place, undergraduate student poster
Jaden Drumm, Fatatis Lab
- Honorable mention, undergraduate student poster
Faith Clark, Ajit Lab
Deepa Reddy Earned First Place in MAPS Poster Competition
Congratulations to Deepa Reddy, graduate student in the Ajit Lab, for earning first place in the graduate student poster competition at the 2025 Mid Atlantic Pharmacology Society meeting! Deepa presented her thesis work in a poster titled “Macrophage Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles as a Therapeutic for Postoperative Pain and Inflammation”.
Dr. White Quoted in WHYY Article
Michael White, PhD, was interviewed for a WHYY story about recent government directives to teach nutrition in medical education, and Drexel’s longstanding nutrition curriculum in the College of Medicine.
Dr. Gaskill’s R61 Grant Renewed for R33 Phase
Dr. Peter Gaskill successfully earned a renewal of his NIH-NIDA R61/R33 project “Defining Molecular Mechanisms by Which Stimulant Evoked Dopamine Drives Inflammation and Neuronal Dysfunction in NeuroHIV” for the R33 phase, which provides three additional years of funding to further develop the project.
See all news
Pharmacology and Physiology Department Annual Retreats
Related Webpages
Upcoming Events
There are currently no upcoming events.