Research
The research interests of our departmental faculty members are diverse yet complementary, reflective of the discipline of pharmacology. Although many labs work on research projects that span multiple areas, the concentrations of research excellence within the department can be broadly divided as follows:
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Cellular Pharmacology and Cancer Therapeutics
Faculty members study fundamental cellular processes with emphasis on signal transduction and proteolytic pathways, membrane trafficking, and mechanisms of cell survival, death and aging, with development of pathomimetic models for cancer invasion and metastasis and focus on developing and optimizing targeted agents and photodynamic therapy. The Pharmacology Ph.D. Program provides opportunities for study in these areas.
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Molecular and Environmental Toxicology (MET)
Faculty members study the molecular and cellular mechanisms that determine the development and progression of environmentally-linked diseases. Our Ph.D. program offers a concentration in MET that places particular emphasis on understanding the human health impact of complex environmental exposures, life windows of heightened susceptibility to environmental toxicants, gene-environment interactions, and the role of chemical and non-chemical environmental stressors as mediators of pathogenesis.
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Neurobiology and Neuropharmacology
Faculty members study the pharmacology of neuronal function at many levels of analysis, ranging from the most basic mechanisms regulating neuronal transcription, excitation and transmitter release to the treatment of neurodegenerative and other peripheral and CNS disorders. Our doctoral program includes a concentration in molecular neuropharmacology that provides neuropharmacology training with an emphasis in molecular signaling and functional genomics.