• World-Class Faculty

  • State-of-the-Art Facilities

  • High-Impact Laboratories with Hands-on Training

Welcome

The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology currently consists of twenty primary faculty members with varied and scientifically diverse research interests in neuropharmacology, molecular toxicology, cancer biology and pharmacology, and chemical biology. Departmental faculty members currently serve in directorship roles in the Center for Addiction Sciences and Therapeutics (CAST), the NIEHS Center in Environmental Toxicology, the Cancer Center, and the Chemical Biology Program. Read more of the Chair's welcome message >>


Lawrence Sowers, PhD

Pharmacology and Toxicology by the Numbers

Nationally Ranked Basic Science Department

27,000+ Citations

20 Full time Faculty and 22 associate members

Graduate Highlight Explore diverse research themes to advance our basic understanding of cancer biology, environmental toxicology, and drug abuse.

Master’s Programs

36 Credit Hour program in Pharmacology and Toxicology

PhD Programs

Designed to equip leaders to ask, test, and answer fundamental questions about disease and therapeutics. 

MD/PhD

Training Physician scientist since 1987 to advance the field of medicine. 

Recent Publications

Correction: The HSP90-MYC-CDK9 network drives therapeutic resistance in mantle cell lymphoma (Experimental Hematology & Oncology, (2024), 13, 1, (14), 10.1186/s40164-024-00484-9)

Yan, F., Jiang, V., Jordan, A., Che, Y., Liu, Y., Cai, Q., Xue, Y., Li, Y., McIntosh, J., Chen, Z., Vargas, J., Nie, L., Yao, Y., Lee, H. H., Wang, W., Bigcal, J. N. R., Badillo, M., Meena, J., Flowers, C. & Zhou, J. & 3 others, Zhao, Z., Simon, L. M. & Wang, M., Dec 2026, In: Experimental Hematology and Oncology. 15, 1, 19.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review

Dual-target mu opioid-dopamine D3 receptor (MOR-D3R) ligands based on etonitazene: New leads for transforming “nitazenes” into novel analgesics

Jahan, K., Glatfelter, G., Sanchez, J., Maitland, A. D., Bonifazi, A., Saab, E., Keegan, B. M., Rais, R., Bi, G. H., Gomez, J. L., Michaelides, M., Xi, Z. X., Lane, J. R., Canals, M., Baumann, M. H. & Newman, A. H., Nov 5 2026, In: European journal of medicinal chemistry. 317, 119079.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Upcoming Events

News

2026 Chauncey Leake Memorial Lecture

Jul 21, 2026, 10:54 AM by Rodrigo Salinas

Today we hosted our annual Chauncey Leake Distinguished Lecturer Event, and it was truly exceptional. Our honoree, Dr. Trevor Penning, Director of the Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, delivered an engaging and insightful presentation highlighting the groundbreaking research underway in his laboratory. In a particularly meaningful moment, Dr. Penning offered a heartfelt tribute to his former colleague, and one of our own beloved faculty members, Dr. Cornelis Elferink, who recently passed away. His reflections on Dr. Elferink’s scientific contributions and personal impact resonated deeply with all in attendance. The day was inspiring from start to finish. Faculty, staff, and students thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Penning’s visit, and his presence brought an energy and sense of connection that made this year’s event especially memorable. 

 

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