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).
Upcoming Seminar
September 15, 2026
Dopamine-Induced Mitochondrial Dysregulation Drives cGAS-STING and NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation
Marzieh Daniali
PhD Candidate, Gaskill Lab, Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Drexel University
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"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. A. Mortenson Renews R01 Award
Congrats to Dr. Andréia Mortensen for earning a competing renewal of her R01 award from the National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke! Her new grant will support an additional five years of research studying the mechanism of allosteric modulation of glutamate transporters.
Dr. Mark Namba Earns NIH K99 Award
Congratulations to Dr. Mark Namba , postdoctoral fellow in the Barker lab, for earning an NIH Pathway to Independence K99 award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse! The award will support Dr. Namba’s new project “Corticostriatal glial and peripheral immune mechanisms of polysubstance use and associated comorbidities” as he begins the transition to an independent faculty position.
New NIAAA MPI Grant Awarded
Drs. Laura Giacometti and Jacqueline Barker were awarded a new multi-PI R01 award from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism that will support their research on ethanol-induced dysregulation of the astrocyte glucocorticoid system. This grant is also noteworthy for being Dr. Giacometti’s first R01 as contact PI!
New Medical Cannabis Research Grants
Several faculty members were selected for pilot research awards from Drexel University’s Medical Cannabis Research Center.
Drs. Jennifer Kelschenbach and Olimpia Meucci received a multi-PI grant to study cannabinoid effects on HIV-1 infection in their project “Effects of β-caryophyllene on EcoHIV-induced neurocognitive impairment”.
Drs. Waleed Iqbal, Bradley Nash, and Olimpia Meucci earned a multi-PI grant to uncover possible therapeutic approaches from omics datasets in their project “Utilizing Machine Learning to Identify Multi-Omic HAND-Associated Inflammatory Signatures Relevant to Cannabinoid Modulation”.
Drs. Mark Namba and Jacqueline Barker were awarded a multi-PI grant to study a new approach to treat withdrawal in their project “Examination of the efficacy of cannabidiol to reduce withdrawal induced inflammation and relapse in a novel model of opioid polysubstance use”.
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Pharmacology and Physiology Department Annual Retreats
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