Molly Downing, PhD

Dr. Molly Downing is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Division of Pharmacy Education and Innovation at The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy. Since joining the college as a postdoctoral fellow in 2010, she has developed a robust program of teaching, scholarship, outreach, and service focused on instructional design, behavioral health education, and innovation in online learning.

Dr. Downing's work centers on expanding access to health and pharmacy education through evidence-based online course design. In recognition of her impact on teaching and student success, she received The Ohio State University's 2023 Provost Award for Distinguished Teaching by a Lecturer. She has developed numerous fully asynchronous undergraduate and graduate courses, including several General Education offerings, and currently serves as course director for PHR 3420 (Generation Rx: America's Drug-Taking Culture), PHR 2410 (Drugstore Science), and PHR 3550 (Cosmetic Science). Her scholarship examines how instructional design frameworks, innovative assessment strategies, and emerging educational technologies influence student learning and engagement in online environments.

Beyond her teaching and research, Dr. Downing serves as Associate Director of Generation Rx, a nationally recognized prevention education initiative that promotes safe medication practices and substance misuse prevention. In this role, she helps lead the development, dissemination, and evaluation of evidence-informed educational resources and training programs used by educators, healthcare professionals, and community organizations nationwide. Her community-engaged scholarship has helped shape and assess Generation Rx initiatives that have reached millions of individuals across the country and contributed to the program's recognition as a 2026 Program of Excellence in Engaged Scholarship at The Ohio State University.