Drug Toxicity

My current research focuses on determining how targeted and cytotoxic chemotherapy impact the brain and how drug transporters contribute to these effects. Consistent with this research, I am interested in the translational pharmacology of anticancer therapeutics, especially the characterization of preclinical and clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.

The overarching goal of the Kroetz laboratory is to understand the molecular basis of interindividual variability in drug response and toxicity. Genomic association studies are used to identify genes and pathways involved in common toxicities associated with cancer therapy, including taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy and bevacizumab-induced hypertension. Functional genomic studies are then used to define the role of these genes and pathways in the dose-limiting toxicities. A second area of research is on the role of ABC transporters in drug resistance and physiologic function. Ongoing efforts include cryo-EM studies of MRP4 and investigation of MRP4 in resistance to immunotherapy.

Dr. Pickworth is a clinical pharmacist at the Ross Heart Hospital on The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center campus with over 35 years of experience. Besides an active clinical practice in heart failure, her research endeavors focus in the areas of general cardiology or heart failure. She is passionate about educating the next generation of pharmacists and highly engaged in training pharmacy residents. As an active member of many professional societies, she has served at the Chair of the American Society of Health-system Pharmacists (ASHP) Commission on Credentialing and is the current Chair of the Pharmacy Committee for the Heart Failure Society of America.

Professor Jennifer (Jen) Plahovinsak is the Director of the Master of Science in Translational Pharmacology program. Jen’ s research focuses on the design and development of technology-enhanced learning environments for science education, graphic and instructional design to support learning, key learner characteristics for graduate students, curricular development for online toxicology courses, and quality strategies for online program success. Additionally, her interests include the development of relevant preclinical models to support medical countermeasure research programs. Jen has been certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology since 2015.