National Pharmacology Directors of Graduate Programs Meeting

Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The integration of our scientific knowledge at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels is critical to impacting disease in humans. As our insight into molecular and cellular processes has grown, emphasis in many Ph.D. training programs has shifted away from integrated (whole animal or systems) biology, including the biology of humans. The lack of an available scientific workforce with an understanding of integrated or human biology, including drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, and an appreciation of the unique challenges of converting discoveries into therapies will delay the application of discoveries at the molecular and cellular levels to human disease. Scientists trained in the discipline of Pharmacology form an important part of this necessary workforce. This meeting addresses critical issues related to training Pharmacologists and has been planned in response to a perceived and real decline in training programs. The goals of this meeting are to identify common problems and opportunities that face Ph.D. training programs in Pharmacology and to discuss how best to meet them. The target audience for this meeting is Directors of Graduate Training Programs in Pharmacology or other biomedical sciences. This meeting will provide a unique opportunity for these scientists to exchange information and to interact with leaders in industry, government, and academia who help shape this discipline. A continuing dialogue among Directors of training programs and other scientists with an interest in training is identified as a desired major outcome. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Pharmacology is the scientific discipline that studies the actions of drugs and is dedicated to the design of new drugs and therapies that move scientific discoveries from the laboratory into the clinic. This meeting is the only meeting for directors of pharmacology training programs that is dedicated to improving the education of students in pharmacology programs. Efforts resulting from this meeting will result in an increase in both the quality and quantity of students trained in pharmacology and will aid in the transfer of scientific knowledge to patient care.