# Training in the pharmacology of abused drugs

> **NIH NIH T32** · VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $764,509

## Abstract

Project Summary
During the current funding period, this program has continued its outstanding record of educating scholars
as independent investigators and leaders in drug-abuse research. Since the submission of our last
competitive application in 2015, competition for support from this program has been robust, and all slots
have been filled. Twenty-five pre-doctoral and 14 post-doctoral trainees have received support from the
grant, these trainees have published 149 papers, and 10 pre-doctoral and 5 post-doctoral trainees have
earned individual NIH fellowships. Looking forward, we are poised to continue this record of success. We
have recruited 2 new drug-abuse faculty in pharmacology as well as 5 new faculty members with relevant
skills and interests from other departments. Moreover, recognizing the many strengths of the Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, the dean has authorized the recruitment of up to 10 additional well-
established faculty to join our team of 22 drug-abuse faculty. Additionally, a large increase in the number
of clinical faculty in recent years justifies our request to increase the number of both pre and post-doctoral
trainees by 2. Further support for this requested increase comes from the fact that there are more than 90
research grants from NIDA at this institution, and this is the only institutional training grant. Our preceptors
provide trainees with “cutting edge” expertise in molecular, cellular, behavioral, clinical, and translational
research. The program continues to emphasize pharmacology, but it has truly developed into a university-
wide program open to trainees from all schools and incorporating multiple disciplines. The broad academic
scope of the program is accomplished through rigorous core courses and a wide variety of advanced
electives, a high level of collaboration among mentors to include reciprocal service on thesis committees,
and multiple excellent seminar series. Additional initiatives are proposed to increase the diversity of the
trainees and enhance mentor training. These academic opportunities complement a research
infrastructure supported by a NIDA P30 grant that provides for the development of genetically altered
animals, sophisticated bioanalytical technology, and expertise in advanced gastrointestinal and
neuropharmacology research methodologies. Academic and research training is further supplemented by
guidance on teaching, professional development for a career in drug-abuse science, and all aspects of
becoming a productive, independent researcher. Our goal is to build on the program’s established record
of success by continuing to provide a rigorous and supportive atmosphere for training leading scholars in
the drug-abuse field for the future.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10407551
- **Project number:** 5T32DA007027-47
- **Recipient organization:** VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** William L. Dewey
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $764,509
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1976-07-01 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10407551

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10407551, Training in the pharmacology of abused drugs (5T32DA007027-47). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10407551. Licensed CC0.

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