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Pharmacology

Overview

Graduate work in the Pharmacology Concentration Area includes research at the molecular and cellular level in pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, drug residues and metabolites, anesthetics and autonomic drugs, pulmonary biology, oncology, ophthalmology, gastroenterology, reproductive endocrinology, and lipid-, peptide-, and oxygen-derived mediators of inflammation. Research approaches employ a wide variety of molecular, biochemical, pharmacological, and microscopic techniques, utilizing cell culture and whole organisms. Students selecting Pharmacology will focus on one or more of these areas.

A highly individualized curriculum of study is designed to meet the needs and interests of the student while satisfying selected requirements by the faculty. These include courses in introductory pharmacology and toxicology, advanced pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, statistics, and participation in a seminar series in pharmacology. Additional courses may be chosen by the student and his/her advisor from a large number of college and university offerings.

COURSES REQUIRED FOR THE PHARMACOLOGY CONCENTRATION

BCH 553 Biochemistry of Gene Expression; Fall, Spring, & Summer (3 credits)

TOX 701 Fundamentals of Toxicology; Fall (3 credits)

TOX 710 Molecular and Biochemical Toxicology; Spring (3 credits)

CBS 762 Principles in Pharmacology; Spring (3 credits)

CBS 787 Pharmacokinetics; Fall alternate years (3 credits)

CBS 810 Seminar in Pharmacology (1 credit; minimum 3 credits total)

CBS 860 Techniques in Pharmacological Research; Fall (2 credits)

ELECTIVE COURSES

Elective courses are selected by the student and mentor, and must be approved by the student’s graduate advisory committee. Possible elective course include, but are not limited to, the following:

PB 495/595-011, ECE 492-030/592-038, & CBS 595-011 Systems Biology Modeling of Multicellular Organisms; Fall (3 credits)

ST 512 Experimental Statistics For Biological Sciences II; Fall/Spring/Summer (3 credits)

Pharmacology Participating Faculty

NameEmailConcentrationsResearch Emphasis
Belinda Akpabsakpa@ncsu.eduCell Biology, PharmacologyMechanistic mathematical modeling
Brian Gilgerbgilger@ncsu.eduCell Biology, PharmacologyOcular inflammation, drug delivery, gene therapy, fungal keratitis, and imaging of the eye
Chris McGahanmcmcgaha@ncsu.edu Cell Biology, PhamacologyRegulation of Fe metabolism in the eye, the involvement of Fe in cataract formation, and mechanisms underlying post-surgical regrowth of lens tissue
David Dormandavid_dorman@ncsu.edu Neurosciences, PharmacologyMy research interests include neurotoxicology and cognition and olfaction in animals
Derek Fosterderek_foster@ncsu.edu Infectious Diseases, Pharmacology, Population MedicineWe use pharmacokinetic modeling to understand antimicrobial resistance in enteric bacteria. 
Geof Smithgwsmith@ncsu.eduPharmacologyPathophysiology and treatment of diseases affecting calves, ruminant pharmacology, food safety and prevention of drug residues
Glenn Crusegpcruse@ncsu.eduCell Biology, Immunology, PhamacologyTranslational research in mast cell-driven diseases such as allergy, asthma and mastocytosis.
Kristen Messengerkmmessen@ncsu.eduPharmacologyThe Messenger lab research focus is on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of analgesic drugs.
Mark Papichmgpapich@ncsu.eduPharmacologyResearch in medications administered to animals
Melissa Christina Srougimcsrougi@ncsu.eduCell Biology, Pharmacologyexperimental cancer chemotherapeutics, DNA damage responses, redox, metabolism, cancer
Michael Stoskopfmkstosko@ncsu.edu Pharmacology, Population MedicineEcological Metabolomics
Ronald Baynesrebaynes@ncsu.eduPharmacologyComparative Pharmacokinetics and Risk Management of Drug Residues
Russell Borskirussell_borski@ncsu.edu Cell Biology, PharmacologyStudies endocrinology and the adaptive stress response in vertebrates
Steven Marksslmarks@ncsu.eduPharmacology 
Yevgeny Brudnoybrudno@ncsu.edu Immunology, Neurosciences, Pharmacology Drug delivery to the brain and to cancer.