PHARMACOLOGISTS are scientists with the knowledge to investigate disease mechanisms and to discover and develop drugs that may be useful in treating disease. The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology fosters multidisciplinary training leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees. Students develop a broad foundation in cell biology, molecular biology, physiology, statistics, basic principles of pharmacology, cell signaling and the cellular and systemic actions of drugs, as well as statistics and research ethics. They develop skills in analysis and criticism of the scientific literature, oral presentation, write a scientific research proposal and publish in the scientific literature. PhD students will defend their dissertations in the fifth year.
The PhD graduates will be prepared to work in teaching, research, private industry, non-profits and public service. Our mission is to train graduate students to become highly regarded scientists and scholars in the area of Pharmacology.
Program Description and Admission Requirements
Ph.D. students must pass 45 course credits, pass a comprehensive qualifying examination, and complete dissertation research. Duration: Five (5) years. Required courses for the PhD include Biochemistry, Physiology, Pharmacology, Biostatistics, and Seminar.
Areas of Expertise
Molecular genetics, epidemiological and clinical Characteristics of Head and Neck Cancer
3-D Printing as an Educational Biomedical Tool
Molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration in ALS and Alzheimer’s
Pharmacogenomics* Neuroactive properties of natural products**
Chemical Carcinogenesis, Biomarkers, Toxicology and Risk Assessment
Mitochondrial DNA repair and mitochondrial bioenergetics in aging and Huntington’s Disease**
Mechanisms of insulin resistance and cognitive impairment in HIV**
Neuroprotection and Blood-Brain Barrier manipulation**
Cardiac electrophysiology, Calcium handling and Arrhythmias
Innovative Research and Educational Biomedical Tools Health Disparities
* External Collaboration
Admissions Requirements:
- Applicants must fulfill all admission requirements of the Graduate Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus.
- Applicants should have completed a B.S. or B.A. degree with and undergraduate major in Biology, Chemistry of Pharmacy. Applicants with other majors may also be considered.
- Applicants must have a minimum general grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
- Required undergraduate courses include calculus, general chemistry, organic chemistry, general physics, and general biology.
- The deadline to apply for admission is March 1st.
Cost of Study
Several forms of economic assistance are available, including university fellowships for research or teaching, as well as a variety of fellowships from federal and private research agencies.
Faculty
Yamil Gerena, Ph.D.
yamil.gerena@upr.edu
Sylvette Ayala-Peña, Ph.D.
sylvette.ayala@upr.edu
Lakshya Bajaj, Ph.D.
lakshya.bajaj@upr.edu
Emma Fernández-Repollet, Ph.D.
e.fernandez@upr.edu
Antonio H. Martins, MSc, Ph.D.
antonio.martins@upr.edu
José G. Ortiz, Ph.D.
jose.ortiz@upr.edu
Luz A. Silva Torres, Ph.D.
luz.silva@upr.edu
AD-HONOREM
Adriana Báez, Ph.D.
adriana.baez@upr.edu
Ingrid M. Bonilla-Mercado, Ph.D.
ingrid.bonilla4@upr.edu
Susan C. Corey, Ph.D.
susan.corey@upr.edu
Abraham Schwartz, Ph.D.
abraham.schwartz@up.edu