# Graduate Training in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2023 · $718,973

## Abstract

The Pharmacological Sciences Training Program (PSTP) at UCSD is one of the oldest and largest
Pharmacological Sciences training programs in the nation. There is considerable demand for PhD graduates
with training in all aspects of Pharmacological Sciences: the pharmaceutical and biotech industry needs
scientists with strong quantitative skills and training in basic and systems pharmacology; courses in
pharmacology need to be taught to medical, pharmacy and other health science professionals; and there is a
need for individuals who understand drug action in government, regulatory affairs, public policy and secondary
education. The specific objectives of the PSTP are to provide (1) training in the fundamental discipline of
molecular pharmacology; (2) a strong foundation in quantitative approaches to biomedical science; (3)
interdisciplinary training in areas that intersect pharmacology; (4) communications skills for disseminating
information to scientists and the general public; (5) training in the ethical conduct of research, applying rigor
and reproducibility; (6) career development for jobs in academia, industry, government, and teaching; (7)
training to a diverse population of students; and (8) mentorship and leadership skills. The Biomedical
Sciences (BMS) graduate program, which NRC ranked 3rd amongst umbrella programs in biomedical sciences,
is the feeder program for PSTP students. BMS receives more than 400 applications and accepts on average 32
per year, 97% training grant eligible. Entrants have an average GPA of 3.6 and 25 months of prior research
experience. We are routinely able to recruit ~30% of the entering students to PSTP faculty laboratories. This is
facilitated by association of the PSTP with the Department of Pharmacology, which was ranked 3rd globally by
US News and World Reports in 2017. The PSTP faculty are extensively involved in graduate training through
service in BMS and engagement in student teaching and advising. Nearly all have extensive experience as
mentors, and their research funding averages $900K/yr. 90% of PSTP trainees complete their PhD training, and
do so in ~5.5 years. The PSTP curriculum includes requirements for coursework in basic principles of
pharmacology, drug and disease mechanisms and pharmacokinetics, as well as quantitative skills, statistics,
and research ethics, including rigor and reproducibility. Students also gain experience in writing and
communication through yearly presentations to the Pharmacology Department as well as judged poster
presentations. Career development is facilitated by a course introducing various career options; additionally
direct industry experience is available through paid student internships. We sponsor interactions of students with
PSTP alumni, most of whom are in research intensive (61%) or research related (24%) careers, by inviting them
for seminars, retreats, and informal gatherings. The PSTP program is highly successful in recruitment of diversity
students, with ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10616729
- **Project number:** 5T32GM007752-45
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** JOAN HELLER BROWN
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $718,973
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1979-07-01 → 2024-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10616729

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10616729, Graduate Training in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology (5T32GM007752-45). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10616729. Licensed CC0.

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