Pharmacology Education
two researchers looking through microscope

Train Where It All Began

Founded in 1891, Michigan Pharmacology was the first department of its kind in the United States. In our 130+ year history, we have awarded the largest number of PhDs in Pharmacology.

Welcome to Pharmacology

Pharmacology synthesizes the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, physiology, and pathology to create a comprehensive framework for understanding and treating disease. As one of the most exciting and rapidly expanding areas of biomedical research, Pharmacology directly impacts public health through the discovery of new medicines. 

Our mission is to train the next generation of pharmacologists for careers in academia, government, biotech, and the pharmaceutical industry, as well as emerging novel careers in which their deep knowledge and expertise provide value. 

Our alumni have led the field as pharmaceutical company executives, research directors, senior scientists, directors of government research laboratories, and academic faculty, chairs, deans, and college presidents.

To accomplish our mission, we provide a rigorous but supportive learning environment where trainees receive individual mentorship, career development and placement advice, real world experience, and role models of work-life integration from outstanding faculty and alumni.

The breadth and depth of our synergistic research and training missions are extraordinary. Our diverse group of outstanding faculty partners with trainees to advance new knowledge. This collaboration is key to developing novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of disease within diverse populations.

Education & Training Programs
PhD Program

Focus on specialized aspects of Pharmacology in a world-class laboratory.

Master's Program

This flexible, 1-year program is designed to benefit your future career through coursework and optional laboratory research.

Pharmacological Sciences Training Program

Graduates of this NIH-funded T32 excel as leaders in experimental therapeutics.

Biology of Drug Abuse Training Program

PhD and MD postdoctoral fellows train together in state-of-the-art approaches for studying mechanisms underlying the abuse of psychoactive drugs.

Undergrad Summer Research Program

Two summer programs offer a 10-week research experience for undergraduate students

Translational Research Education Certificate

The TREC program provides students with an overview of the principles of translational research.

Student Life & Resources

There are so many ways we support our students and help them to be successful. From professional development to parenthood to disability accommodation, we’re here to help. Find information, funding and programs to help you live and learn at U-M in our Student Life & Resources section.

Learn more about student life

I could not be more grateful for my training at Michigan Pharmacology. The foundational principles we were taught in our classes overlap perfectly with the knowledge I need to thrive in my current role in Toxicology at Eli Lilly. While successfuly navigating a very challenging and comeptitive job market, there were many times I said to myself "I am so thankful I earned my Ph.D. from Michigan Pharmacology." #TheMichiganDifference

Chiamaka Ukachukwu, PhD 2023
headshot of Chiamaka Ukachukwu
Connect with Us
Upcoming Events

Connect with students, faculty and staff during events throughout the year.

View all events
Pharmacology Seminar Series- Judith Varner, Ph.D.
“Macrophage signals that mediate cancer immune suppression”
Judith Varner
Pharmacology Seminar Series - Chrystal Paulos, Ph.D.
“Bolstering the potency of antitumor T cells for adoptive immunotherapy”
Chrystal Paulos
Doctoral Dissertation Defense - Zesen Lin
Doctoral Dissertation Defense - Zesen Lin
2024 Edward F. Domino Lecture to be held May 30, 2024
2024 Edward F. Domino Lecture to be held May 30, 2024
Pharmacology in Color Symposium
The Department of Pharmacology DE&I Committee invites you to attend the 2024 Pharmacology in Color Symposium.
Pharm in Color
MS Thesis Defense
Details TBA
Doctoral Dissertation Defense - Anne Lietzke
Doctoral Dissertation Defense - Anne Lietzke
SURF Final Presentations
Details TBA
SURF Final Presentations
Details TBA
Featured News & Stories See all news Mike Holinstat
Department News
Mike Holinstat, Ph.D. has article posted in CELL
Mike Holinstat, Ph.D., recently co-authored an article, "An age-progressive platelet differentiation path from hematopoietic stem cells causes exacerbated thrombosis", that was posted in CELL.
blue gloves in hospital hanging IV bag
Health Lab
Commonly used antibiotic brings more complications, death in the sickest patients
In emergency rooms and intensive care units across the country, clinicians make split-second decisions about which antibiotics to give a patient when a life threatening infection is suspected. Now, a study reveals that these decisions may have unintended consequences for patient outcomes.
Department News
Nicholas Kolbman and Kassidy Jungles selected as Rackham Predoctoral Fellows
Nicholas Kolbman (Ph.D. student, Pal and Mashour Labs) and Kassidy Jungles (Ph.D. student, Green Lab) have recently been selected as Rackham Predoctoral Fellows.
kasssidy jungles
Department News
Kassidy Jungles recently featured in Center for the Education of Women+ newsletter
Kassidy Jungles (Pharmacology Ph.D. student, Green Lab) has been featured in the most recent Center for the Education of Women+ newsletter.
headshot of Emily Jutkiewicz
Department News
Dr. Emily Jutkiewicz receives the inaugural Pfizer Upjohn Research Professorship of Translational Pharmacology
Please join the department in congratulating Dr. Emily Jutkiewicz, Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Associate Chair for Education, on her appointment as the inaugural Pfizer Upjohn Research Professor of Translational Pharmacology!
Cagney Coomer
Department News
Welcome, Dr. Cagney Coomer!
Please welcome our newest postdoc, Dr. Cagney Coomer. She will be receiving postdoctoral training in Dr. Kevin Jones’s lab.