hand in purple glove using a microscope

The Division of Pharmaceutics & Pharmacology

The mission of the faculty, scientists, students and staff of the Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology is the discovery and development of drug therapies for the treatment of human disease.

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The training of the next generation of pharmaceutical scientists at the undergraduate (BS), professional (PharmD), graduate (PhD), and postdoctoral levels is intertwined with this mission.

The Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology researchers are leaders in the use of state-of-the-art technologies to conduct research centered around four major themes: 

1 Cancer Therapeutics

The discovery of anti-cancer drug targets, identification/circumvention of drug resistance mechanisms, and the optimization of drug delivery and disposition are major areas of focus for the division. Our anti-cancer therapeutics research leverages our expertise in novel drug delivery systems, drug transport and membrane trafficking, basic/translational/clinical pharmacology, pharmacogenomics and pharmacometrics to improve outcomes for cancer patients.

2 Cell Protective Therapies

Preclinical studies of mechanisms of cell death and strategies to enhance cell survival are under active investigation in the division. This knowledge will contribute to the development of therapies to reduce inflammatory and degenerative processes in patients with neurologic, cardiovascular and renal diseases. 

3 Drug Delivery Systems

There is a need for improved delivery strategies of toxic therapeutics, newly developed biologics, and cell and gene therapies to the target site(s) in the body and prevent interactions with healthy tissues. Our research spans expertise in pharmaceutical chemistry, bioengineering, and RNA nanotechnology to develop future on-target medicines to improve human disease treatment.

4 Drug Toxicity

Understanding the mechanisms underlying the unwanted and adverse effects of drug therapies is a major area of investigation in the division. Knowledge of how drugs enter normal cells and exert toxic effects will help the design of strategies to mitigate this damage and improve patient health. Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) also contribute to adverse drug reactions in patients. Identification of mechanisms underlying DDIs is another area of investigation. Drug transporter and pharmacology principles are integral to this research theme.

Division Chair

Raj Govindarajan headshot

Rajgopal Govindarajan, DVM, PhD 
Professor and Chair of the Division of Pharmaceutics & Pharmacology 

Administrative Assistant: Cody Childs, childs.97@osu.edu

Sharyn Baker, PharmD, PhD

Gertrude Parker Heer Chair in Cancer Research

Dr. Baker’s cancer-relevant research interests broadly cover translational and clinical pharmacology of anti-cancer agents. Recently, her laboratory has focused on the preclinical development of anti-cancer agents for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), with an emphasis on tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) drug combinations. Dr. Baker’s research interests include developmental therapeutics for AML, clinical pharmacology of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, variability in anti-cancer drug disposition and investigational anti-cancer drug development.
Other research areas: Cancer, Clinical & Pre-Clinical Pharmacology
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Sharyn Baker

Cynthia Carnes, PharmD, PhD

Professor

My research is focused on cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms), particularly in heart failure. We use an integrated approach from proteins to cells to tissues to the intact organism to study the causes, and potential treatments of cardiac arrhythmias. My clinical practice is at the Ambulatory Care Center at the Ross Heart Hospital, where I provide patient care in antiarrhythmic medication monitoring.
Other research areas: Cardiovascular Disorders
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Cynthia Carnes

Emanuele Cocucci, MD, PhD

Associate Professor

Dr. Cocucci studies basic mechanisms of membrane trafficking and is interested in how these processes deviate during cancer development when compared to normal cells. His research adopts multiple techniques, including traditional biochemistry, cell biology, and high resolution fluorescent live cell microscopy. Dr. Cocucci’s goal is to define novel targets for cancer therapy and to improve drug delivery, studying the internalization pathways and the mechanisms of endosomal escape adopted by artificial and biological nanovectors.
Other research areas: Chemical Biology, Cancer, Nanotechnology & Drug Delivery Systems
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Emanuele Cocucci

Christopher Coss, PhD

Associate Professor

Dr. Coss' research focuses on endocrine disease mechanisms and developing novel therapies for advanced prostate cancer. He also has an interest in chemoprevention of prostate and hepatocellular carcinomas using novel hormonal approaches.
Other research areas: Cancer
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Christopher Coss

Eric Eisenmann, PharmD, PhD

Assistant Professor

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.
Other research areas: Cancer, Central Nervous System Disorders, Clinical & Pre-Clinical Pharmacology
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Eric Eisenmann

Rajgopal Govindarajan, DVM, PhD

Chair of the Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology

Dr. Govindarajan’s laboratory is interested in understanding and overcoming drug resistance in pancreatic cancer. His training is in the areas of animal sciences, cancer biology and drug transport-based pharmacokinetics, and has extensively used cell and animal models to evaluate nucleoside and oligonucleotide therapies. He also developed several new insights into the pharmacology and cytotoxicity of nucleoside analog drugs. Current focuses in his laboratory are to understand the epigenetic alterations in pancreatic cancer and to evaluate novel epigenetic reversal agents for effective pancreatic cancer treatment. Understanding epigenetic regulation of pluripotent stem cell factors in microRNA biogenesis is also of interest.
Other research areas: Cancer, Chemical Biology
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Rajgopal Govindarajan

Peixuan Guo, PhD

Professor

Dr. Guo works on both basic research and its subsequent practical applications, focusing on understanding the mechanisms and assembly of viral DNA packaging motor, and using components of the biomotor for various applications. By applying interdisciplinary approaches including chemistry, biophysics, biochemistry, nanotechnology, bioengineering, molecular biology, cell biology, computer modeling, and pharmaceutical sciences, Dr. Guo studies RNA, DNA and proteins and their interaction.

Dr. Guo’s current project areas are:

RNA nanotechnology and its application for the delivery of siRNA/miRNA/drug for the treatment of cancers, viral infection, and genetic diseases
Nanobiotechnology, including structure, function and mechanism of Phi29 DNA-packaging nanomotor
Single molecule imaging and optical instrumentation to study the interaction of RNA, DNA, and protein
Single pore technology for DNA sequencing, macromolecule detection, and disease diagnosis, using channels of variety of viral DNA packaging motors
Other research areas: Cancer, Nanotechnology & Drug Delivery Systems
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Peixuan Guo

Kari Hoyt, PhD

Professor

Our research team members are engaged in pre-clinical target identification for pharmacologic treatment of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. We use in vivo and in vitro high-resolution fluorescence microscopy and high-content analysis of live neurons to reveal complex interactions between signaling pathways that regulate cell survival/function and circadian clock signaling. This work is designed to identify new avenues of chronotherapeutic target development for CNS disorders. Current work focuses on two related themes: (1) Alzheimer’s Disease and desynchronization of cortico-limbic circadian rhythms and (2) MAPK signaling: gates, oscillators and circadian timing.
Other research areas: Central Nervous System Disorders, Clinical & Pre-Clinical Pharmacology
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Kari Hoyt

Mengying Hu, PhD

Assistant Professor

The Hoo (Hu) research group focuses on the functional and mechanistic exploration of immune cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) and EV-DNA in the context of diseases such as cancer and chronic inflammatory disorders. The ultimate goal is to inform the rationale design of non-viral gene therapies and diagnostic/prognostic tools. Specific research interests include functional and mechanistic exploration of immune cell-derived EVs and EV-DNA in disease settings such as cancer and auto-immune disorders, engineering core-shell lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for the targeted delivery of nucleic acids, proteins, peptides, and small molecules to support therapeutic development for cancer, chronic inflammatory diseases, and autoimmune disorder and diagnostic/prognostic biomarker development based on circulating EVs and EV-DNA.
Other research areas: Cancer, Central Nervous System Disorders, Nanotechnology & Drug Delivery Systems
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Mengying Hu

Keli Hu, MD, PhD

Associate Professor

The long-term research goal in Dr. Hu's laboratory is to understand the mechanisms in myocardial ischemia and cardioprotection. The lab is particularly interested in studying the regulation of ion channels and their signaling molecules in the cardiovascular system, with a special emphasis on subcellular localization, traffic regulation, molecular mechanisms and their physiological relevance, particularly as these processes relate to human cardiovascular diseases. The ultimate goal is to explore the challenges in identifying therapeutic targets and to help developing preventive and therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular diseases.
Other research areas: Cardiovascular Disorders
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Keli Hu

Shuiying Hu, PhD

Associate Professor

The overall goal of Dr. Hu’s research is to evaluate the contribution of uptake transporters, in particular OCT and the OATP1B-type transporters, in the disposition and toxicity of anticancer drugs, with particular emphasis on peripheral neurotoxicity. Her laboratory utilizes multi-level approaches including in vitro, in vivo models, aims to understand the underlying mechanisms that drive the extensive inter-individual pharmacokinetic variability, drug transporter regulation, antitumor efficacy, and drug-drug interaction in response to drug therapy in cancer patients. Another area of research interest is to design of preclinical and clinical studies to evaluate pharmaceutical agents as modulators of side effects associated with tubulin poisons, such as paclitaxel and vincristine.
Other research areas: Cancer, Clinical & Pre-Clinical Pharmacology
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Shuiying Hu

Julie Johnson, PharmD

Dr. Samuel T and Lois Felts Mercer Professor of Pharmacology and Medicine

Dr. Johnson’s research is focused on understanding genetic and other sources of variability in drug response, building evidence to support translation of research to clinical practice, implementing genomic medicine in practice and documenting clinical outcomes associated with use of genomic medicine in practice. Her discovery research focuses primarily on cardiovascular drugs used in the treatment of hypertension and heart failure and used to prevent blood clots. Her pharmacogenetics implementation work is across a range of therapeutic areas and explores clinical trial approaches for documenting its impact on clinical outcomes. She’s also deeply committed to training the next generation of clinical and translational scientists.
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Julie Johnson

Razi Kebriaei, PhD

Assistant Professor

Dr. Kebriaei’s research is focused on treatment of multi-drug resistant bacterial infections. Some examples of the diseases associated with these infections include bacteremia, endocarditis, bone and joint infections and implant associated infections.

Her current work is concentrated on both planktonic and biofilm states of bacteria and novel approaches for combating multi-drug resistant infections. She utilizes various classes of antimicrobials with distinct mechanisms of action to discover optimal treatment options for a wide range of infectious diseases. In addition, she designs and operates pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic models to simulate humanized doses in vitro. The majority of knowledge achieved from this research is translatable to bedside and leads to better patient outcomes.
Other research areas: Infectious Diseases
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Razi Kebriaei

Deanna L. Kroetz, PhD, BS Pharm

Dean

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.
Other research areas: Cancer, Clinical & Pre-Clinical Pharmacology
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Deanna L. Kroetz

Robert Lee, PhD

Professor

Dr. Lee's lab is focused on targeted drug delivery systems based on nanoparticles. Nanoparticles can serve as carriers of therapeutic agents, including nucleic acids such as siRNA, miRNA and anti-miRs, and facilitate their therapeutic delivery. The lab's effort is focused on improving nanoparticle composition based on rational design and directed at clinical applications. Ongoing projects include developing miR-targeting lipid nanoparticles and targeted chemotherapeutic drug formulations and bioconjugates for therapy of solid tumors, leukemias, diabetic wounds, and other diseases.
Other research areas: Nanotechnology & Drug Delivery Systems, Cancer
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Robert Lee

Navjot Pabla, PhD

Associate Professor

Our laboratory is focused on identifying therapeutic targets for kidney diseases. Acute kidney injury and renal cell carcinoma are the two major areas of interest. Our recent work has identified several protein kinases and membrane transporters as therapeutic targets for renal disorders. We utilize high throughput screening assays and functional genomics to identify molecular targets for renal diseases, followed by validation in in vivo animal models. The overall goal of these studies is to identify new therapeutic strategies to treat acute kidney injury and renal cell carcinoma, diseases for which no effective therapies are currently available.
Other research areas: Clinical & Pre-Clinical Pharmacology
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Navjot Pabla

Mitch A. Phelps, PhD

Professor

Dr. Phelps’ lab is involved in both pre-clinical and clinical development of numerous small molecule anti-cancer and immuno-modulatory agents under development. Their work aims to understand the mechanisms involved in the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (i.e. pharmacokinetics, PK) of these agents, and how both the PK and pharmacodynamic (PD) effects of these agents are altered by genetic differences (polymorphisms) among individuals (i.e. pharmacogenetics, PG).
Other research areas: Cancer, Clinical & Pre-Clinical Pharmacology
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Mitch A. Phelps

Jen Plahovinsak

Director MS Translational Pharmacology Program

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.
Other research areas: Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
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Jen Plahovinsak

Przemyslaw Radwański, PharmD, PhD

Associate Professor

Research in the Radwański lab focuses on cardiac biophysics and pharmacology with the twin goals of understanding the mechanisms of life-threatening abnormal heart beats (cardiac arrhythmias), and developing effective antiarrhythmic therapies. By leveraging experience as both a clinical pharmacist and a cardiovascular researcher, and using cutting-edge biophysical approaches ranging from the single-ion channel level to the whole organism, they have identified a novel arrhythmia mechanism. Neuronal-type sodium channels account for a tiny fraction of sodium channels in the heart, but exert a disproportionately strong influence on cardiac calcium dynamics, particularly in disease. By applying pharmacology principles, in the context of this fundamental insight, they are developing novel therapeutic approaches, which effectively prevent arrhythmias, while avoiding the lethal side effects usually associated with classical antiarrhythmic agents. In essence, Dr. Radwański’s approach could be summarized as better clinical outcomes through basic scientific insights.
Other research areas: Cardiovascular Disorders
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Przemyslaw Radwański

Alex Sparreboom, PhD

Professor

Dr. Sparreboom's research studies the contribution of solute carriers to chemotherapy-induced toxicity profiles, identifies chemical inhibitors of critical transporters, translates the findings to clinical trials in collaboration with scientists and oncologists, and ultimately improves the long-term outcome of patients with cancer by modulating the therapeutic window of widely-used chemotherapeutics. His research is currently focused on the development of transport modulators that could be used in conjunction with platinum-based drugs and tyrosine-kinase inhibitors, with emphasis on the development of innovative preclinical model systems.
Other research areas: Cancer, Clinical & Pre-Clinical Pharmacology
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Alex Sparreboom

Yu-Jung “Jenny” Wei, PhD

Associate Professor

Dr. Wei's area of research expertise is in geriatric pharmacoepidemiology, with specific focus areas on drug safety, drug effectiveness, and quality of medication prescribing in older adults, especially those with pain, neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia [ADRD]), and nursing home stays.
Other research areas: Medication Use & Outcomes
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Yu-Jung “Jenny” Wei

Jack Yalowich, PhD

Professor

Dr. Yalowich’s lab focuses on mechanisms of action and resistance to a class of anticancer agents known as DNA topoisomerase IIα (TOP2α; 170 kDa ) inhibitors, such as the anticancer agent etoposide. Ongoing projects characterize alternative RNA processing/intronic polyadenylation of TOP2α pre-mRNA that results in formation of a 90 kDa truncated form of TOP2α in acquired resistance to etoposide. Strategies to circumvent drug resistance involve CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to restore proper RNA splicing function in resistant cells. In addition, the role of micro-RNAs as determinants of anticancer drug resistance is under investigation. Finally, the Yalowich lab actively collaborates with Dr. Mark-Mitton-Fry from the Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy to evaluate the mechanisms of action and efficacy of newly synthesized Novel Bacterial Topoisomerase Inhibitors (NBTIs).
Other research areas: Cancer, Infectious Diseases
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Jack Yalowich
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The Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, 2024