Pharmacology and toxicology are broadly based biomedical sciences involving the study of the therapeutic and/or potential toxicity of chemical agents on biological systems. The focus of the department is on the pursuit of excellence in teaching and research.
Educational Mission
The educational mission of the department is related to teaching in the medical, nursing, graduate and undergraduate curricula. Teaching excellence is a priority of the department and the faculty put much effort into their lectures and practical science teaching. The programs of study are in the Master of Science in Pharmacology and Toxicology and the Ph.D. programs in Biomedical Sciences and Environmental Sciences. The master's program is a research-based program that recruits students from universities as well as the military and industrial sectors. Faculty also participate in the summer research training program for minorities and persons with disabilities (STREAMS) as well as the Biomedical Science Exchange (BSE) a research and education with universities in Brazil.
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Research Mission
The research foci of the department are:
- Toxicology – dermal, behavioral, immunological, cardiovascular, and nanoparticles
- Disease processes – hypertension, diabetes, stroke, autism, pain, and others
- Neuroscience – cellular physiology, ion transport, behavior, and volume regulation
The methods used in these experimental approaches are molecular genetics, gene therapy, mass spectroscopy (proteomics), gene microarray expression, integrative cardiovascular biology, confocal microscopy and a low-level laboratory for the use of dilute chemical agents. |
Some of the facilities available to the faculty and students are molecular biology, a genomics expression center, a proteome analysis laboratory, an imaging facility, a conference room, student offices and designated space within the Laboratory Animal Resources facility. Research support comes from the NIH, American Heart Association, Office of Air Force Research, Department of Defense, Department of Education, and Colgate Palmolive.
The department will continue its growth in the coming years with the addition of faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and visiting faculty and students. There are close ties with the research scientists at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Air Force and Navy Research Laboratories) and Battelle Inc. in West Jefferson, Ohio. Many of these scientists participate in teaching and research programs as adjunct faculty. They have definitely enhanced our toxicological research and training opportunities.
Department News
WSU research touted by the American Heart Association
Timing of sugar intake affects weight gain, blood pressure and behavior, study finds
The American Heart Association (AHA) is publicizing findings by a team of Wright State University researchers led by Mariana Morris, Ph.D., vice president for graduate studies and chair and professor of pharmacology and toxicology in the Boonshoft School of Medicine.
On September 23, the AHA announced the findings of a study by Morris and her coauthors investigating sugar consumption habits in mice. The study found that when access to fructose, a dietary sugar, was limited to periods when mice normally sleep, the mice exhibited unusual blood pressure patterns, increased stress hormones and weight gain.
The study could have implications for human eating habits, according to Morris, who explained that "consideration must be given not only to the amount of calories consumed, but also the timing of intake."
The study was presented at the organization's annual High Blood Pressure Research Conference in Chicago in September. Co-authors are Swapnil V. Shewale, a master’s degree candidate, and Danielle Senador, Ph.D., a postdoctoral associate. A full press release describing the study, as well as a related investigation, is online at AHA Web site. |
For more information, please contact:
Mariana Morris, Ph.D.
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Wright State University
3640 Colonel Glenn Highway
Dayton, OH 45435
Phone: (937) 775-2168
Fax: (937) 775-7221
E-mail: pharmtox@wright.edu
Terry Oroszi, M.S., Director
Master of Science Program in Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (937) 775-2395
For more information regarding the Master of Science Program, please contact:
Juanita Davis, Graduate
Program Coordinator
Phone: (937) 775-4091
E-mail: juanita.davis@wright.edu
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