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University of Pittsburgh Graduate Program in Molecular Pharmacology
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Research Opportunities for Graduate Students

These are some of the research opportunities available to students of the MPTP:

Cancer Pharmacology
  • Oncogenes and tumor suppressors
  • Cell cycle regulation
  • Mechanisms of DNA repair
  • Chemoprevention of cancer
  • Biomarkers for tumor progression

Cardiovascular and Renal Pharmacology
  • Regulation of blood pressure
  • Calcium and phosphate homeostasis
  • Vascular effects of reactive oxygen species

Drug Discovery
  • Design and development of high throughput drug screening methodologies
  • Novel chemotherapeutic agents
  • Combinatorial chemistry

Neuropharmacology
  • Mechanisms of neurotoxicity
  • Regulation of ion channels
  • Regulation of the autonomic nervous system
  • Neuronal vesicle transport and mechanisms of synaptic transmission
  • Pharmacology of addiction

Pharmacology of Cell and Organ Systems


Signal Transduction
  • Structure and function of G protein coupled receptors
  • Signaling and cancer
  • Regulation of cellular processes by free radicals and nitric oxide derivatives
  • Nuclear receptors
  • Protein kinases and phosphatases







Cancer Pharmacology

Research efforts in cancer pharmacology include studies of the basic mechanisms of signal transduction associated with cell proliferation and apoptosis, the mechanisms of action of anti-neoplastic agents, the design and discovery of new drugs, basic mechanisms of DNA repair and DNA damage tolerance and the development of novel strategies for gene therapy

Emphasis is placed on the description and characterization of basic signaling mechanisms that constitute the targets of molecules used for cancer therapy and DNA damage and repair mechanisms that contribute to anti-neoplastic drug resistance. The regulation of tyrosine kinases, processing of proto-oncogenes, regulation of small GTPases and their effectors, cell-cycle-specific kinases and DNA repair gene products are being studied as potential targets or to enhance the efficacy of existing chemotherapeutic agents. The role of growth factors in the progression of solid and hematopoietic tumors is being studied; new receptors and signal transduction pathways are being identified in normal and malignant tissues.

Other areas of research include investigations on interleukin therapy, free radical generation, molecular mechanisms of antioxidant regulation and detoxification, aberrations in the mechanisms of programmed cell death (apoptosis) associated with tumoral growth and alterations in DNA repair and DNA damage response genes associated with tumor growth and chemotherapeutic resistance.

Faculty

Altschuler, Daniel
Associate Professor
G-protein signaling mechanisms in mitogenesis and oncogenesis
altschul@pitt.edu
412.648.9751
Bakkenist, Christopher
Associate Professor, Radiation Oncology; Associate Director for Education and Training, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
DNA damage signaling
cjb38@pitt.edu
412-623-7765
Binder, Robert
Associate Professor of Immunology
Tumor immunology; Heat Shock Protein Immunobiology; Tumor immunosurveillance; biology of scavenger receptors in antigen crosspresentation; immune responses initiated by endogenous molecules.
rjb42@pitt.edu
412-3.83-7722
Burns, Timothy
Assistant Professor, Medicine
Targeted therapies for lung cancer; KRAS mutant lung cancer; Hsp90 inhibitors;EMT transcription factors
burnstf@upmc.edu
412-864-7859
Galbiati, Ferruccio
Professor & Vice Chair for Research
Signal transduction mechanisms in muscular dystrophy and ageing/cancer.
feg5@pitt.edu
412-648-2047
Grandis, Jennifer
Distinguished Professor, Otolaryngology, Asst VC for Research Integration
Targeting signal transduction pathways in cancer. Head and neck cancer; signal transduction; molecular targeting.
jgrandis@pitt.edu
412-647-5280
Jiang, Yu
Associate Professor
Signaling mechanisms for cell growth control; Regulation of protein kinases and phosphatases
yuj5@pitt.edu
412-648-3390
Johnson, Daniel
Professor, Medicine
Molecular signaling mechanisms that are important in the regulation of autopahagy and apoptotic cell death; molecular mechanisms of homatopoietic cell differentation.
johnsond@pitt.edu
412-623-3245
Kensler, Thomas
Adjunct Professor
tkensler@fredhutch.org
206-667-6005
Kim, Seungwon
Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology
Advanced skin cancer, oral cancer, thyroid cancer and targeted therapy for head and neck cancer.
kimsw2@upmc.edu
412-802-6393
Neumann, Carola
Associate Professor
can44@pitt.edu
412-641-7725
O'Sullivan, Roderick
Assistant Professor
Study of the consequences that defective chromatin assembly and altered epigenetic mechanisms may have in cancer and aging.
osullivanr@upmc.edu
412-623-4063
Oesterreich, Steffi
Professor & Vice Chair for Precision and Translational Pharmacology
Molecular mechanism and clinical relevance of endocrine response in breast cancer
oesterreichs@upmc.edu
412-641-8555
Siegfried, Jill
Adjunct Professor
jsiegfri@umn.edu
612-625-9997
Singh, Shivendra
Professor and UPMC Chair in Cancer Prevention Research
The Singh laboratory focuses on preclinical and clinical investigations of novel agents derived from dietary (eg, broccoli) and medicinal plants (eg, Withania somnifera) for chemoprevention of cancers.
svs2@pitt.edu
412-623-3262
Smithgall, Thomas
William S. McEllroy Professor of Biochemistry and Chair, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
Protein-tyrosine kinase structure, function, and drug discovery in cancer and infectious diseases.
tsmithga@pitt.edu
412-648-8106
Sobol, Robert
Adjunct Professor
Research focuses on the role of DNA repair proteins in the repair of DNA damage induced by chemotherapeutic drugs and radiation, with an emphasis on the cell signaling and the cell survival pathways that are engaged by such DNA damage.
rwsobol@health.southalabama.edu
251-445-9846
Steinman, Richard
Associate Professor, Medicine
Molecular controls of normal hematopoiesis and leukemogenisis; coupling of cell cycle and differentation control. Investigation of p-53 like molecules and cell cycle regulation in leukemogenesis and in stem cells.
steinman@pitt.edu
412-623-3237
Wang, Qiming Jane
Associate Professor
Targeting protein kinase D by small molecular inhibitors for cancer therapy; signaling mechanisms of protein kinase D in cancer.
qjw1@pitt.edu
412-383-7754
Wang, Zhou
Professor and UPMC Chair in Urological Research
Mechanism of androgen receptor intracellular trafficking in prostate cancer cells. Roles of androgen-response genes in prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
wangz2@upmc.edu
412-623-3903
Zhang, Lin
Professor
Genetic basis of differential responses to anticancer drugs and mechanisms of drug-induced apoptosis.
zhanglx@upmc.edu
412-623-1009

Cardiovascular and Renal Pharmacology

Faculty

Bisello, Alessandro
Associate Professor
Structure, signalling and trafficking of G-protein-coupled receptors. Role of EBP50 in vascular remodeling and role of GLP-1 in pancreatic beata cell function.
alb138@pitt.edu
412-648-7347
Freeman, Bruce
Irwin Fridovich Distinguished Professor and Chair
Cell Signaling; Redox Reactions
freerad@pitt.edu
412-648-9319
Jackson, Edwin
Professor
The physiology and pharmacology of endogenous modulators of growth, structure and function of cells in the heart, blood vessels and kidneys, with particular focus on adenosine, the renin-angiotensin soystem and estradiol metabolites.
edj@pitt.edu
412-648-1505
Jiang, Yu
Associate Professor
Signaling mechanisms for cell growth control; Regulation of protein kinases and phosphatases
yuj5@pitt.edu
412-648-3390
Schopfer, Francisco
Associate Professor & Vice Chair for Biotechnology Development
fjs2@pitt.edu
412-648-0193
Straub, Adam
Associate Professor
Redox signaling mechanisms in the microcirculation.
astraub@pitt.edu
412-648-7097

Drug Discovery

Drug Discovery is an emerging pharmacological science that seeks to identify novel small molecule probes and to understand at a molecular level how compounds affect macromolecular process. Cell-based, in vitro mix-and-read, and whole organism assays suitable for rapid or high throughput analysis are being designed and implemented by members of the Molecular Pharmacology Program. Current molecular targets include Gprotein coupled receptors, vanilloid receptors, cathepsins, apoptosis-inducing proteins, ion channels, steroid receptors, orphan nuclear receptors, kinases, phosphatases, DNA repair enzymes, and DNA polymerases. Chemical libraries and automated screening instrumentation are emphasized, which permit rapid interrogation of optimized assays. Computational approaches and high content cell screening methodologies are employed to facilitate the identification of new chemical probes.

Faculty

Bayir, Hülya
Professor of Critical Care Medicine, Environmental and Occupational Health UPMC Chair in Critical Care Pediatric Research
Dr. Hülya Bayir’s research focuses on the primary themes of mitochondrial injury and oxidative signaling. She has organized a multidisciplinary team of investigators to study novel approaches to the treatment of mitochondrial dysfunction by targeting...
bayihx@upmc.edu
412-692-5164
Birder, Lori
Professor, Medicine
Study a number of ion channel/receptor targets within the bladder epithelium and the possible role of the urothelium in urinary bladder function.
lbirder@pitt.edu
412-383-7368
Chan, Stephen
Professor of Medicine
We are a basic science and translational research group studying the molecular mechanisms of pulmonary vascular disease and pulmonary hypertension (PH) – an example of an enigmatic disease where reductionistic studies have primarily focused on end-st...
chansy@pitt.edu or chansy@upmc.edu
412-383-6990
Chen, Yuanyuan
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
cheny1@pitt.edu
412-624-5444
Curran, Dennis
Professor, Chemistry
Natural products total synthesis, new synthetic methods, stereochemistry, radical chemistry, and fluorous chemistry.
curran@pitt.edu
412-624-8240
Day, Billy
Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chemistry Director, Proteomics Core Lab
Medicinal chemistry/molecular pharmacology of microtubule perturbing agents, dynein inhibitors, nuclear hormomne receptor modulators, HIV-1 Nef/Src family kinase inhibitors, Dusp inhibitors, and histone deacetylase inhibitors.
bday@pitt.edu
412-648-9706
Freeman, Bruce
Irwin Fridovich Distinguished Professor and Chair
Cell Signaling; Redox Reactions
freerad@pitt.edu
412-648-9319
Jiang, Yu
Associate Professor
Signaling mechanisms for cell growth control; Regulation of protein kinases and phosphatases
yuj5@pitt.edu
412-648-3390
Johnson, Daniel
Professor, Medicine
Molecular signaling mechanisms that are important in the regulation of autopahagy and apoptotic cell death; molecular mechanisms of homatopoietic cell differentation.
johnsond@pitt.edu
412-623-3245
Pagano, Patrick
Professor
Development of peptic, viral and small molecular inhibitors of NADPH oxidases and reactive species to assess NOX involvement in cardiovascular disease as well as to devise new therapies
pagano@pitt.edu
412-383-6505
Palladino, Michael
Professor & Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs
Combined molecular and genetic approach to identify key proteins required for neural maintenance with age and understand the role of these gene products in human disease conditions.
mjp44@pitt.edu
412-383-5900
Schopfer, Francisco
Associate Professor & Vice Chair for Biotechnology Development
fjs2@pitt.edu
412-648-0193
Singh, Shivendra
Professor and UPMC Chair in Cancer Prevention Research
The Singh laboratory focuses on preclinical and clinical investigations of novel agents derived from dietary (eg, broccoli) and medicinal plants (eg, Withania somnifera) for chemoprevention of cancers.
svs2@pitt.edu
412-623-3262
Smithgall, Thomas
William S. McEllroy Professor of Biochemistry and Chair, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
Protein-tyrosine kinase structure, function, and drug discovery in cancer and infectious diseases.
tsmithga@pitt.edu
412-648-8106
Sobol, Robert
Adjunct Professor
Research focuses on the role of DNA repair proteins in the repair of DNA damage induced by chemotherapeutic drugs and radiation, with an emphasis on the cell signaling and the cell survival pathways that are engaged by such DNA damage.
rwsobol@health.southalabama.edu
251-445-9846
Van Houten, Ben
Professor
Mitochondrial dysfunction in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases , structure function of DNA repair enzymes/proteins.
vanhoutenb@upmc.edu
412-623-7762
Wang, Qiming Jane
Associate Professor
Targeting protein kinase D by small molecular inhibitors for cancer therapy; signaling mechanisms of protein kinase D in cancer.
qjw1@pitt.edu
412-383-7754
Wang, Zhou
Professor and UPMC Chair in Urological Research
Mechanism of androgen receptor intracellular trafficking in prostate cancer cells. Roles of androgen-response genes in prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
wangz2@upmc.edu
412-623-3903
Wipf, Peter
University Professor of Chemistry
Medicinal chemistry and drug design. Total synthesis of natural products.
pwipf@pitt.edu
412-624-8606
Zhang, Lin
Professor
Genetic basis of differential responses to anticancer drugs and mechanisms of drug-induced apoptosis.
zhanglx@upmc.edu
412-623-1009

Neuropharmacology

The physiological basis of neuronal toxicity caused by various insults including excitatory amino acids, oxidative stress and cerebral ischemia is being studied using quantitative imaging techniques, confocal microscopy, genetic approaches in model organisms, and molecular approaches in cultured cell lines, cultured primary neurons and in intact animals. These studies aim to develop an understanding of the mechanisms of neuronal injury in acute and chronic disorders. The regulation of the expression of voltage-gated ion channels in cell lines and primary cultures is being studied by molecular and patchclamping techniques. In addition, molecular genetic, electrophysiological and cell biological approaches are being used to explore the relationships between neurotransmitter transporter structure, substrate transport, inhibitor binding and ion permeation. New quantitative imaging approaches are being used to study the basic processes of neuropeptide secretion. Investigators in the Molecular Pharmacology program are also examining the mechanisms of autonomic regulation and synaptic transmission of the urogenital system. These studies include neuroanatomical and neurophysiological research aimed towards the development of agents to modulate neuronal control of the urinary bladder, colon, and sex organs. Targeted disruption of GABA receptors is being used as a tool to investigate the function of these receptors and their specific components in transgenic mice. The mechanism of action of anesthetics is being studied in genetic model organisms and using techniques of magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Faculty

Aizenman, Elias
Professor, Neurobiology
Cellular and molecular mechanisms of neuronal cell death
redox@pitt.edu
412-648-9434
Bayir, Hülya
Professor of Critical Care Medicine, Environmental and Occupational Health UPMC Chair in Critical Care Pediatric Research
Dr. Hülya Bayir’s research focuses on the primary themes of mitochondrial injury and oxidative signaling. She has organized a multidisciplinary team of investigators to study novel approaches to the treatment of mitochondrial dysfunction by targeting...
bayihx@upmc.edu
412-692-5164
Birder, Lori
Professor, Medicine
Study a number of ion channel/receptor targets within the bladder epithelium and the possible role of the urothelium in urinary bladder function.
lbirder@pitt.edu
412-383-7368
de Groat, William
Distinguished Professor
Study of the autonomic mechanisms involved in the control of urogenital function. Study of visceral pain mechanisms.
wcd2@pitt.edu
412-648-9357
DeFranco, Donald
Professor & Vice Chair for Medical Education, Associate Dean for Medical Student Research
Glucocorticoids and Neurodevelopment. Prostate cancer.
dod1@pitt.edu
412-624-4259
Greenamyre, J. Timothy
Professor of Neurology

412-692-4920
Homanics, Gregg
Professor, Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
Application of transgenic technologies to investigate the molecular targets of ethanol and general anesthetics; production of animal models of human disease
homanicsge@anes.upmc.edu
412-648-8172
Horn, John
Professor, Neurobiology
Synaptic integration in sympathetic ganglia and in midbrain dopamine neurons; neurotransmitter signaling through G-protein coupled receptors
jph@pitt.edu
412-648-9429
Jackson, Edwin
Professor
The physiology and pharmacology of endogenous modulators of growth, structure and function of cells in the heart, blood vessels and kidneys, with particular focus on adenosine, the renin-angiotensin soystem and estradiol metabolites.
edj@pitt.edu
412-648-1505
Jacob, Tija
Associate Professor & Vice Chair for Graduate Education
tcj11@pitt.edu
412-648-8136
Kanai, Anthony
Associate Professor, Medicine
Roles of the urothelium, interstitial cells and afferent nerves in urinary incontinence--studied using optical mapping. Nitric oxide in radiation cystitis and the mitochondrial targeting of radioprotectants.
ajk5@pitt.edu
412-624-1430
Levitan, Edwin
Professor & Vice Chair for Research Operations
Neurotransmission, channels and signaling.
elevitan@pitt.edu
412-648-9486
Palladino, Michael
Professor & Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs
Combined molecular and genetic approach to identify key proteins required for neural maintenance with age and understand the role of these gene products in human disease conditions.
mjp44@pitt.edu
412-383-5900
Tang, Pei
Professor, Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and Structural Biology
Structural biology/computational biology/protein drug interactions/molecular mechanism of general anesthesia.
ptang@pitt.edu
412-383-9798
Wetzel, Ronald
Professor, Structural Biology
Amyloid structure; fibril assembly and inhibition; structural and cellular mechanisms of aggregate cytotoxicity; Alzheimer's disease; Huntington's disease.
rwetzel@pitt.edu
412-383-5271
Xu, Yan
Professor, Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and Structural Biology
Gene and stem cell therapy in brain ischemia membrane protein structure by NMR; biological basis of unconsciousness; molecular mechanisms of general anesthesia.
xu2@pitt.edu
412-648-9922

Pharmacology of Cell and Organ Systems

Investigators in the Molecular Pharmacology program are also examining the mechanisms of autonomic synaptic transmission and the autonomic regulation of the urogenital and renal systems. These studies include: 1) neuroanatomical and neurophysiological research aimed towards the development of agents to modulate neuronal control of the urinary bladder, colon, and sex organs; 2) biochemical/molecular analysis of the role of PP-fold peptides released from autonomic synaptic junctions in the regulation of renovascular tone and arterial blood pressure in genetic hypertension; and 3) the interaction between the sympathetic nervous system and estradiol on renal function.

Faculty

Barchowsky, Aaron
Professor, Environmental and Occupational Health
The main focus of the research in the Barchowsky laboratory is the cellular and molecular mechanisms for pathogenic tissue remodeling and metabolic dysfunction caused by environmental metals exposures. The core theme of the research has been on meta...
aab20@pitt.edu
412-624-8864
Bayir, Hülya
Professor of Critical Care Medicine, Environmental and Occupational Health UPMC Chair in Critical Care Pediatric Research
Dr. Hülya Bayir’s research focuses on the primary themes of mitochondrial injury and oxidative signaling. She has organized a multidisciplinary team of investigators to study novel approaches to the treatment of mitochondrial dysfunction by targeting...
bayihx@upmc.edu
412-692-5164
Binder, Robert
Associate Professor of Immunology
Tumor immunology; Heat Shock Protein Immunobiology; Tumor immunosurveillance; biology of scavenger receptors in antigen crosspresentation; immune responses initiated by endogenous molecules.
rjb42@pitt.edu
412-3.83-7722
Birder, Lori
Professor, Medicine
Study a number of ion channel/receptor targets within the bladder epithelium and the possible role of the urothelium in urinary bladder function.
lbirder@pitt.edu
412-383-7368
Bisello, Alessandro
Associate Professor
Structure, signalling and trafficking of G-protein-coupled receptors. Role of EBP50 in vascular remodeling and role of GLP-1 in pancreatic beata cell function.
alb138@pitt.edu
412-648-7347
de Groat, William
Distinguished Professor
Study of the autonomic mechanisms involved in the control of urogenital function. Study of visceral pain mechanisms.
wcd2@pitt.edu
412-648-9357
DeFranco, Donald
Professor & Vice Chair for Medical Education, Associate Dean for Medical Student Research
Glucocorticoids and Neurodevelopment. Prostate cancer.
dod1@pitt.edu
412-624-4259
Friedman, Peter
Professor
Parathyroid hormone receptor trafficking, regulation, signaling.
paf10@pitt.edu
412-383-7783
Jackson, Edwin
Professor
The physiology and pharmacology of endogenous modulators of growth, structure and function of cells in the heart, blood vessels and kidneys, with particular focus on adenosine, the renin-angiotensin soystem and estradiol metabolites.
edj@pitt.edu
412-648-1505
Kanai, Anthony
Associate Professor, Medicine
Roles of the urothelium, interstitial cells and afferent nerves in urinary incontinence--studied using optical mapping. Nitric oxide in radiation cystitis and the mitochondrial targeting of radioprotectants.
ajk5@pitt.edu
412-624-1430
Lee, Adrian
Professor; Pittsburgh Foundation Chair in Precision Medicine
leeav@upmc.edu
412-641-7557
Lotze, Michael
Professor, Surgery and Bioengineering
Tumor immunology; dendritic cell biology; cytokine biology; regulation of apoptosis in immune effectors; role of the nuclear protein HMGB 1 in promoting inflammation, mRNA role in regulating the translation of proteins in macrophages and other inflam...
lotzemt@upmc.edu
412-623-5977
Neumann, Carola
Associate Professor
can44@pitt.edu
412-641-7725
Oesterreich, Steffi
Professor & Vice Chair for Precision and Translational Pharmacology
Molecular mechanism and clinical relevance of endocrine response in breast cancer
oesterreichs@upmc.edu
412-641-8555
Pagano, Patrick
Professor
Development of peptic, viral and small molecular inhibitors of NADPH oxidases and reactive species to assess NOX involvement in cardiovascular disease as well as to devise new therapies
pagano@pitt.edu
412-383-6505
Palladino, Michael
Professor & Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs
Combined molecular and genetic approach to identify key proteins required for neural maintenance with age and understand the role of these gene products in human disease conditions.
mjp44@pitt.edu
412-383-5900
Romero, Guillermo
Associate Professor
Regulation of G-protein coupled receptor function by phospholipase D and PDZ proteins; molecular regulation of Wnt signaling. Signal Transduction mechanisms associated to the activation of cellular phospholipases.
ggr@pitt.edu
412-648-9408
Schopfer, Francisco
Associate Professor & Vice Chair for Biotechnology Development
fjs2@pitt.edu
412-648-0193
Shiva, Sruti
Associate Professor & Vice Chair for Academics
The mechanisms by which reactive nitrogen species regulate mitochondrial function and signaling, particularly in conditions of hypoxia or ischemia.
sss43@pitt.edu
412-383-5854
Straub, Adam
Associate Professor
Redox signaling mechanisms in the microcirculation.
astraub@pitt.edu
412-648-7097
Van Houten, Ben
Professor
Mitochondrial dysfunction in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases , structure function of DNA repair enzymes/proteins.
vanhoutenb@upmc.edu
412-623-7762
Vilardaga, Jean-Pierre
Professor
Understanding molecular mechanisms of G protein-coupled receptor(GPCR) signalling and trafficking.
jpv@pitt.edu
412-648-2055
Wang, Qiming Jane
Associate Professor
Targeting protein kinase D by small molecular inhibitors for cancer therapy; signaling mechanisms of protein kinase D in cancer.
qjw1@pitt.edu
412-383-7754
Xie, Wen
Professor and Joseph Koslow Endowed Chair in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Nuclear hormone receptor-mediated gene regulation in endrocrinology, gastroenterology, and cancer. Nuclear hormone receptors as therapeutic targets for metabolic syndrome.
wex6@pitt.edu
412-648-9941

Signal Transduction

The department is rich in research devoted to the analysis of signal transduction pathways and their role in normal physiological processes and disease. These include studies into the basic mechanisms of signaling by oxidizing and free radical inflammatory mediators, nitric oxide, steroids, parathyroid hormone, neurotransmitters, hypothalamic hormones, and rhodopsin. Various cell biological, forward and reverse genetic, molecular biological and biophysical approaches are used to dissect the molecular mechanisms utilized by intracellular mediators of signal transduction including cell surface receptors, nuclear receptors, caveolin, protein kinases, protein phosphatases and lipid kinases.

Faculty

Altschuler, Daniel
Associate Professor
G-protein signaling mechanisms in mitogenesis and oncogenesis
altschul@pitt.edu
412.648.9751
Barchowsky, Aaron
Professor, Environmental and Occupational Health
The main focus of the research in the Barchowsky laboratory is the cellular and molecular mechanisms for pathogenic tissue remodeling and metabolic dysfunction caused by environmental metals exposures. The core theme of the research has been on meta...
aab20@pitt.edu
412-624-8864
Bisello, Alessandro
Associate Professor
Structure, signalling and trafficking of G-protein-coupled receptors. Role of EBP50 in vascular remodeling and role of GLP-1 in pancreatic beata cell function.
alb138@pitt.edu
412-648-7347
Calero, Guillermo
Assistant Professor, Structural Biology
Biochemical and structural studies, using X-ray crystallography of large multi-protein complexes. Reconstitution of membrane signaling pathways involving G-protein coupled receptors and their intracellular binding partners.
gcalero@structbio.pitt.edu
412-383-5319
Chan, Stephen
Professor of Medicine
We are a basic science and translational research group studying the molecular mechanisms of pulmonary vascular disease and pulmonary hypertension (PH) – an example of an enigmatic disease where reductionistic studies have primarily focused on end-st...
chansy@pitt.edu or chansy@upmc.edu
412-383-6990
DeFranco, Donald
Professor & Vice Chair for Medical Education, Associate Dean for Medical Student Research
Glucocorticoids and Neurodevelopment. Prostate cancer.
dod1@pitt.edu
412-624-4259
Fernstrom, John
Professor, Psychiatry
Control of neurotransmitter and neuropeptide synthesis and function.
fernstro@pitt.edu
412-624-2032
Freeman, Bruce
Irwin Fridovich Distinguished Professor and Chair
Cell Signaling; Redox Reactions
freerad@pitt.edu
412-648-9319
Friedman, Peter
Professor
Parathyroid hormone receptor trafficking, regulation, signaling.
paf10@pitt.edu
412-383-7783
Galbiati, Ferruccio
Professor & Vice Chair for Research
Signal transduction mechanisms in muscular dystrophy and ageing/cancer.
feg5@pitt.edu
412-648-2047
Gronenborn, Angela
Rosalind Franklin Professor and Chair, Structural Biology.
Biomolecular structure and its correlation to function in transcription factor compleses, HIV-2 proteins and signaling proteins.
amg100@pitt.edu
412-648-9959
Jacob, Tija
Associate Professor & Vice Chair for Graduate Education
tcj11@pitt.edu
412-648-8136
Jiang, Yu
Associate Professor
Signaling mechanisms for cell growth control; Regulation of protein kinases and phosphatases
yuj5@pitt.edu
412-648-3390
Kagan, Valerian
Professor and Vice Chair, Environmental and Occupational Health
Nitric oxide interactions with cellular components, redox status during cellular injury and repair
kagan@pitt.edu
412-624-9479
Kane, Lawrence
Associate Professor, Immunology
The role of the Akt kinase in T cell activation; Immunilogic function and signaling of TIM proteins
lkane@pitt.edu
412-648-8947
Kensler, Thomas
Adjunct Professor
tkensler@fredhutch.org
206-667-6005
Levitan, Edwin
Professor & Vice Chair for Research Operations
Neurotransmission, channels and signaling.
elevitan@pitt.edu
412-648-9486
Lotze, Michael
Professor, Surgery and Bioengineering
Tumor immunology; dendritic cell biology; cytokine biology; regulation of apoptosis in immune effectors; role of the nuclear protein HMGB 1 in promoting inflammation, mRNA role in regulating the translation of proteins in macrophages and other inflam...
lotzemt@upmc.edu
412-623-5977
Neumann, Carola
Associate Professor
can44@pitt.edu
412-641-7725
Pagano, Patrick
Professor
Development of peptic, viral and small molecular inhibitors of NADPH oxidases and reactive species to assess NOX involvement in cardiovascular disease as well as to devise new therapies
pagano@pitt.edu
412-383-6505
Pitt, Bruce
Professor and Chair, Environmental and Occupational Health
Role of oxidants and nitric oxide in affecting pulmonary endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cell function.
brucep@pitt.edu
412-624-8400
Schopfer, Francisco
Associate Professor & Vice Chair for Biotechnology Development
fjs2@pitt.edu
412-648-0193
Shiva, Sruti
Associate Professor & Vice Chair for Academics
The mechanisms by which reactive nitrogen species regulate mitochondrial function and signaling, particularly in conditions of hypoxia or ischemia.
sss43@pitt.edu
412-383-5854
Singh, Shivendra
Professor and UPMC Chair in Cancer Prevention Research
The Singh laboratory focuses on preclinical and clinical investigations of novel agents derived from dietary (eg, broccoli) and medicinal plants (eg, Withania somnifera) for chemoprevention of cancers.
svs2@pitt.edu
412-623-3262
Smithgall, Thomas
William S. McEllroy Professor of Biochemistry and Chair, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
Protein-tyrosine kinase structure, function, and drug discovery in cancer and infectious diseases.
tsmithga@pitt.edu
412-648-8106
Straub, Adam
Associate Professor
Redox signaling mechanisms in the microcirculation.
astraub@pitt.edu
412-648-7097
Vilardaga, Jean-Pierre
Professor
Understanding molecular mechanisms of G protein-coupled receptor(GPCR) signalling and trafficking.
jpv@pitt.edu
412-648-2055
Wang, Qiming Jane
Associate Professor
Targeting protein kinase D by small molecular inhibitors for cancer therapy; signaling mechanisms of protein kinase D in cancer.
qjw1@pitt.edu
412-383-7754
Wang, Zhou
Professor and UPMC Chair in Urological Research
Mechanism of androgen receptor intracellular trafficking in prostate cancer cells. Roles of androgen-response genes in prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
wangz2@upmc.edu
412-623-3903
Xie, Wen
Professor and Joseph Koslow Endowed Chair in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Nuclear hormone receptor-mediated gene regulation in endrocrinology, gastroenterology, and cancer. Nuclear hormone receptors as therapeutic targets for metabolic syndrome.
wex6@pitt.edu
412-648-9941
Zhang, Cheng
Assistant Professor
chengzh@pitt.edu
412-383-8044
Zhang, Lin
Professor
Genetic basis of differential responses to anticancer drugs and mechanisms of drug-induced apoptosis.
zhanglx@upmc.edu
412-623-1009

Student News

Student Awards

Events

April 6
10:00 AM
Dissertation Defense
Zheqi Li
 
Thomas E. Starzl Biomedical Science Tower
1395 Conference Room
Calendar

Recent Publications

Program Achievements

Molecular Pharmacology Graduate Program Ranked #2 in National Research Council Rankings

Outcomes: 

Time to dissertation Defense, last five graduating classes:  4.6 years, Completion Rate: 86.49%

First Author Publications (All students, past 5 year mean):  2.03;   Total Publications: 5.10

F-series Grants (F30/F31) (All Students, past 5 year mean):  12/34 (35%) 


Ranked #6 in National of Institute of Health funding of departments of Pharmacology

Ranked in the top 15 in funding for twenty-two consecutive years