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Elements of a laboratory experiment.

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

Upcoming Seminar

Pharmacology & Physiology student Deepa Reddy

September 9, 2025

Macrophage Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles Attenuate Postoperative Pain and Inflammation
Deepa Reddy – PhD Candidate, Ajit Lab, Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Drexel University
Download seminar flyer


Johnson and Johnson Innovative Medicine

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.


Gabriele Romano, PhD

Meet Gabriele Romano

"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

New Collaborative R21 Award

Congrats to Drs. Zachary Klase, Rachel Van Duyne and Peter Gaskill for earning a new R21 award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The grant will support their cutting-edge project “Transcriptional Silencing of HIV by LTR Targeting RNAi.”

New Funding for DUniBo Partnership

Drs. Brandimarti and Meucci received a new grant from the University of Bologna, Italy, to implement new didactic programs exposing trainees to the pharma/biotech industry and other non-academic realities. The goal is to promote institutional advancement strategies in support of translational research.

Barker Lab News

Tina Curran-Alfaro, graduate student in the Barker Lab, received a travel award from IBNS to present her thesis work in a symposium at their annual meeting in Tromso, Norway.

Jessalyn Pla-Tenorio, postdoctoral fellow in the Barker Lab, received a new NIDA LRP award to support her work investigating GLT-1 and estrogen interactions in co-occurring SUD and HIV.

Dr. Barker Elected to Division of Biomedical Sciences Executive Committee

Dr. Jacqueline Barker was elected as a faculty at large member of the Graduate School’s Division of Biomedical Sciences Executive Committee. She will serve a two-year term on the committee starting this month.

See all news

Pharmacology and Physiology Department Annual Retreats

 

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