The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology in the College of Medicine at UAMS is the professional home to 22 faculty, 5 postdoctoral fellows, 7 graduate students, 14 research staff, 4 administrative staff, and 2 engineering staff. We value collegiality, cross-disciplinary research, and excellence in graduate and medical education. The department celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2019.
Our department offers graduate training in the Pharmacology, Toxicology and Experimental Therapeutics (PTET) Graduate Track leading to the Ph.D. degree in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences (IBS). Trainees receive a broad-based education to prepare for a career in translational research. An emphasis on identifying drug targets and evaluating potential medications in vivo prepare our students to compete for careers in academics, industry and government. All of our students receive a $30,000 yearly stipend and we pay tuition and fees!
Our magnet areas of research include behavioral and substance abuse pharmacology; cardiovascular and renal pharmacology; drug and cancer toxicology and carcinogenesis; and ischemic neurological disorders and retinal injury. Our department hosts a Systems Pharmacology and Toxicology Training Program (T32 GM106199) in its 10th year of funding by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). This program offers trainees additional training opportunities and benefits. We also are home to the College of Medicine’s DNA Damage and Toxicology Core, which provides tailored advice, expertise and facilities to perform DNA damage and toxicology studies.
We are proud of our more than 180 alumni, who have graduated from our training programs. These alumni hold academic, industry, government and teaching positions at institutions across the country and worldwide. The proof of our commitment to outstanding research and graduate education is evidenced by the success of our graduates.
– Nancy J. Rusch, Chair