The primary mission of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology is the generation of new knowledge through research, and the training of students and post-doctoral fellows. By participating in the design of the medical curriculum and teaching medical students, we help future generations of physicians to gain a solid appreciation of the benefits and risks of various forms of drug therapy. We also train graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in Pharmacology and Toxicology to become independent research scientists in academia, government, and industry. Current employment opportunities are especially bright for well-trained pharmacologists and toxicologists with the expertise to integrate information from molecular/cellular and whole animal studies in the discovery of new therapeutic compounds.

Current research in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology is devoted to elucidating basic mechanisms underlying diseases such as cancer, drug abuse, and behavioral disorders. Our ultimate goals are to achieve a better understanding of the mechanisms of action of drugs and toxicants, identify and design safer and more efficacious compounds, understand genetic and environmental determinants of individual responsiveness to chemicals, develop new tools and methods for future research, and improve drug therapy. A particular strength of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology is the diversity of research interests along with the broad spectrum of biological systems that are utilized. This diversity provides rich training opportunities for the next generation of pharmacologists and toxicologists as well as expertise and relevance to the education of future healthcare providers. We invite you to explore the possibilities that exist for research and training in Pharmacology and Toxicology.