DPET: PhD Program

DPET: PhD Program

DPET’s mission is “to optimize drug therapy through the generation, integration, and translation of scientific information between bench and the bedside, the patient and the population”. Therefore, the goal of the PhD program is to develop clinical scientists who are capable of conducting translational research through the integration of biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences and clinical expertise.

The concentration area in Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics was developed with two curricular tracks based on previous experience of the applicant: clinician (PharmD, MD, or equivalent), or non-clinician. Students with clinical training participate in additional clinical experiences and advanced pharmacotherapy coursework. Students with no prior clinical training take additional didactic coursework, such as pharmacology and pharmacotherapy. Both tracks play a critical part in our mission to educate and develop clinical scientists, and graduates from both tracks have enjoyed an outstanding employment rate in both academia and the pharmaceutical industry. Areas of graduate coursework and research include drug metabolism and transport, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics/pharmacometrics, pharmacogenomics, clinical research, and experimental therapeutics. These are applied to therapeutic areas including cardiovascular disease, hepatology/gastroenterology/transplant, infectious disease/HIV, oncology/hematology, and pulmonary disease. Dissertation projects must include laboratory and clinical research components. Students utilize preclinical models and conduct patient-oriented research to evaluate mechanisms of drug disposition, efficacy, and toxicity.

Recent Dissertations

  • Craig. R. Lee, PharmD, PhD
    "Cytochrome P450 Derived Eicosanoids, Endothelial Function and Cardiovascular Disease"
    Major Advisers: Darryl C. Zeldin, MD (NIEHS/NIH) and J. Herbert Patterson, PharmD
  • Mary Peace McRae, PharmD, PhD
    “Understanding Hepatotoxicity of Antiretroviral Drugs in the Treatment of HIV/AIDS”
    Major Adviser: Angela Kashuba
  • Patrick J. Roberts, PhD
    "Targeting Ras and Rho Family GTPases for the Treatment of Cancer through Inhibition of CAAX-Signaled Modifications and the ERK MAPK Pathway"
    Major Adviser: Howard Mcleod, PharmD
  • Rong Zhao, PhD
    2007
    "Experimental Approaches to Measuring Brain Exposure: Rate, Extent and Regional Distribution.”
    Major Adviser: Gary Pollack, PhD
  • Emily Olson, PhD
    2008
    "Parametric and Non-parametric Approaches to Quantitating Pharmacodynamic
    Response.”
    Major Adviser: Gary Pollack, PhD
  • Jin Kyung Lee, PhD
    2009
    "Role of Hepatic Transport Proteins in Drug Disposition and Drug-induced Liver Injury.”
    Major Adviser: Kim Brouwer, PharmD, PhD
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Graduate Students
Recruitment Weekend

The Office of Research and Graduate Education hosts a recruitment weekend for prospective PhD students early each year. See the video below for a taste of this experience (click here for larger version).
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