Below are quotes from testimonials by current students in the Pharmacology department. These students epitomize the essence of the department, and their uplifting words beautifully capture its spirit.

The Department

Overall

“I started humblebragging to my family about the Pharmacology department when I first joined (and still do!). The warmth, transparency, and responsiveness to trainees across administrative levels makes this a great department to pursue graduate training. The emphasis on graduate students as people, with professional and personal lives, is a unique attribute that ensures the success of Pharmacology trainees.” 

“Overall, I think the aspect I enjoy most about the department is that of camaraderie.” 

“I tell my family and friends about the high research ranking the school has, the resources available, and the increase in funding ranks from the NIH.” 

The positive and supportive environment

“The workplace environment within the Department of Pharmacology has been one of the most positive environments that I have experienced. All the faculty, staff, and students are very welcoming and genuinely care about each other’s wellbeing . . . this collaborative and communal environment became clear immediately. It is something that I truly value about the Department and has made my experience as a student incredible.” 

“The Pharmacology department has created a uniquely supportive environment for its graduate students. Accommodating and adaptable, the department works closely with each student to optimize their training plan—even going so far as to develop novel workshops, seminar series, and courses tailored to student needs. I have appreciated the generous financial support provided by the department to encourage student publications, travel to academic conferences, and the pursuit of novel research avenues. All members of the department, from the students to the administration, faculty, and research staff, have fostered a community and collaborative atmosphere that has greatly enriched my academic and personal experience as a trainee.” 

“There are so many positive aspects to the department that I could not pick one out of the entirety – a department that is filled with people that I look up to.” 

“Reflecting on the past years, I am grateful for the consistent support and sense of community within the Pharmacology department. The genuine commitment to academic excellence and student well-being is truly commendable. As the department commemorates its 50-year anniversary, I don't just see myself as part of an institution but as a member of a family that has significantly contributed to my growth and success. Thank You!” 

Incorporating feedback

“The Pharmacology department at Wayne State School of Medicine is transparent, receptive to feedback and always advocates for the students. If we have suggestions or requests for coursework, professional development workshops, or collaborations between faculty or other departments, the administrators and the faculty will do their best to meet our needs. We are a small department, but I’ve always felt encouraged to pursue opportunities that will help me grow academically and professionally. You don’t get lost in a sea of students here, the faculty know each student and each student have the support of the entire department. I fear if I attended a larger university/department I wouldn’t have had nearly as many opportunities to allow me to grow as a scientist.” 

“This department has shown to be extremely beneficial to my professional expectations. Specifically, I appreciate that we bring in seminar speakers from both sides of the career paths. We have had speakers from academic institutions, speakers from industry, speakers from non-profit organizations, and speakers from government. Additionally, the faculty recently held a panel about what it is like to have a career in academia. These opportunities are extremely beneficial to the students professional development.” 

“The Pharmacology department has played a pivotal role in shaping my academic journey, surpassing expectations with its enriching environment. What I appreciate most is the unwavering support and encouragement from both the faculty and administrative staff. The department, under the leadership of our chair, Dr. Sokol Todi, is attuned to students' needs, offering opportunities to voice concerns and customize minicourses according to our demands. Moreover, the introduction of internal awards by Dr. Todi has provided students with chances for recognition and growth.” 

The Faculty

Overall

“The faculty here in the pharmacology department is one in a million, and I get to be surrounded by people that inspire me every day. It doesn’t get much better than that. They are always willing to share their expertise, provide advice on a problem at hand, and always open to the opportunity of collaboration.” 

“The Pharmacology faculty have supported my graduate training in numerous ways beyond the knowledge I have gained from their courses. The faculty are kind, knowledgeable, and approachable; I am comfortable reaching out to them for insightful feedback on application materials, manuscripts, presentations, (you name it) as well as for a compassionate ear when the frustrations of research or graduate school in general get overwhelming.” 

Teaching and mentorship

“The faculty members exhibit unparalleled dedication, evident in their passion for teaching during every lecture. The 'IBS course,' taught by various faculty members across Pharmacology and other departments, left a lasting impact on me with its rigorous nature and demand for effort, preparing me for more advanced concepts.” 

“I'd brag to my family and friends about how supportive the Pharmacology department's teachers are. They really care about our success and not just in class. They give us advice and mentorship, creating a friendly and collaborative environment. It's not just about learning, it's like being part of a helpful community that's there for both education and personal growth.” 

“I enjoy the department because the teachers are passionate about their subjects, which makes classes interesting. The courses are well-organized, and there are helpful resources. The faculty is supportive and always ready to help. On the professional side, the department's focus on practical aspects and industry insights is preparing me for my future career. Overall, the department has exceeded my expectations, helping me a lot academically and professionally.” 

“I've had a good connection with the Pharmacology department during my time here. The teachers are passionate, and I've learned a lot from their interesting lectures. The faculty members have been helpful mentors, guiding me in understanding how drugs work and different ways to treat conditions. I appreciate the department for giving me chances to grow and for being a supportive place as I learn and work towards my goals in pharmacology.” 

The Administrative Staff

Overall

“The administrative staff is always ready to offer help. They are so critical for keeping this department functioning, and I cannot thank them enough for the help they have offered me.” 

The Department Administrator, Ms. Lindsay Geibig

“Ms. Lindsay Geibig, the Pharmacology Department Administrator, helped my lab tremendously . . . She went out of her way to make sure we were able to get everything done . . . She helped us with paperwork, general lab maintenance and scheduling, and helped us to order chemicals and lab reagents we urgently needed.” 

The Department Secretary IV, Ms. Delana Knighton-Parker

“The heart of this department resides with Ms. Delana Knighton-Parker. Having had the pleasure to work with Delana in the planning of several departmental professional and social events, I can affirm that her creativity and dedication are unmatched and that we are very lucky to have her (as well as the delicious cookies that have become her signature touch at every event).” 

“Ms. Delana Knighton-Parker has been a delightful and kind personality to work with during seminars and holiday party planning.” 

The Former Department Administrator, Ms. Cindy Peters

“Ms. Cindy Peters, the longstanding Pharmacology administrator, was nothing short of miraculous in her aid to students when navigating Wayne State. The summer before starting in Pharmacology, I distinctly remember Cindy calling me to make sure my on-boarding paperwork was complete (it wasn’t) and provide guidance on the quickest way to submission. So many emails to Cindy about administrative matters usually resulted in her reply: “Call me if you have a moment.” If you did call, Cindy would always answer and provide insight into whatever process you were broaching, whether conference reimbursements, taxes, or registration holds. Cindy did so much for the department. I’m glad she’s able to enjoy her retirement!” 

“Ms. Cindy Peters proved instrumental in assisting me with various tasks, ensuring timely filing of paperwork . . . Her efficient assistance and warm demeanor transformed potentially stressful experiences into seamless and positive ones.”  

“I could not praise the work of Ms. Cindy Peters more. Immeasurably helpful and fiercely kind and responsive, Cindy is a force to be reckoned with that keeps this department running smoothly. She has played an invaluable role in the timely and accurate management of student accounts, personally saving me thousands of dollars by going to battle on my behalf to deal with unjustified late fees, inaccurate payments, and tuition disputes.” 

The Department Chair, Dr. Sokol Todi

“I also would like to commend our captain, our leader, our chair Dr. Sokol Todi. Dr. Todi has made monumental changes in the short time he has been chair and has improved the department greatly. Whether it be updating the front office and library, finding money in places overlooked, getting new shared equipment for the department, Dr. Todi always has the students and faculty in mind. He also works at full speed, I don’t know how he has time to think about us students, but somehow he finds a way and we cannot thank him enough.”