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]
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 (DDD or Pharm/Phys) 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
Dr. Namba Earns NIH F32 Fellowship
Dr. Mark Namba, postdoctoral fellow in the Barker lab, earned a new F32 fellowship from NIH-National Institute on Drug Abuse. The fellowship will support Dr. Namba’s innovative project: Corticolimbic circuit and neuroimmune mechanisms of comorbid HIV and cocaine use. Congratulations and well-deserved, Mark.
Faculty Earn New Funding from Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center
Several department faculty members obtained funding from the Interconsortium Pilot Funding Opportunity for Cancer Research Programs from Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center. Read more.
Ms. Curran-Alfaro Gives Keynote Talk
Christina Curran-Alfaro, a PhD student in the Barker lab, gave the invited keynote at the Rutgers-Camden Biology Day. Her talk "Adding Value Through Diversity: Expanding boundaries and innovating science" emphasized her nontraditional path to the PhD and how her experience strengthens the lab's research program and informs her ongoing PhD work.
Graduations and Awards
Our graduating trainees were honored at the College of Medicine Commencement Ceremony, held on May 9th at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Several department members were also honored with awards from the graduate school for excellence in teaching, mentoring, and educational programs. Read more.
The Department Hosts PCSfN Meeting
The department recently hosted this year’s meeting of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience. During the meeting several of our graduate students were recognized for their excellent poster presentations. Geena John, PhD candidate in the Jackson lab and Courtney Wallace, PhD candidate in the Klase lab earned 1st and 2nd place respectively in the graduate student poster section. Read more and view photos.
Faculty Receive Pilot Grants from the CNHC
Two department members were selected to receive pilot grants from the Temple/Drexel Comprehensive NeuroHIV Center (CNHC) Developmental Research and Mentoring Core (DRMC). Dr. Laura Giacometti, postdoctoral fellow in the Barker lab, earned a grant to support her project “Top-down mechanisms of estrous cycle dysregulation in EcoHIV infection.” Dr. Gabriele Romano, assistant professor, earned another grant for his project “Immunologic functions of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in cancer and HIV co-morbidity.”
Gaskill Lab Publication Honored by Drexel Libraries
The Drexel Libraries will designate a recent publication from the Gaskill lab as a highly cited, hot paper at its annual Celebrating Drexel Authors event. The manuscript, Dopamine, Immunity, and Disease was published last year in Pharmacological Reviews.
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