Faculty and Staff
Hamid I. Akbarali, Ph.D.
Gladys and Harvey Haag Professor
Hamid I. Akbarali, Ph.D.
Gladys and Harvey Haag Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Gladys and Harvey Haag Professor,
Vice Chair and Director, Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Training
Director, VCU Initiative for Maximizing Student Development
Phone: (804) 828-9688
Email: hamid.akbarali@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
McGuire Hall, Room 100E
1112 East Clay Street
Box 980524
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0524
Robert L. Balster, Ph.D.
Butler Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Robert L. Balster, Ph.D.
Butler Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Butler Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Affiliate Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry
Phone: (804) 828-8402
Email: robert.balster@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
410 North 12th Street
R. Blackwell Smith Building Room 746A
Box 980310
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0316
Matthew L. Banks, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Matthew L. Banks, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 828-8466
Email: matthew.banks@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
Robert Blackwell Smith Building, Room 760A
410 North 12th Street
Box 980613
Richmond, Virginia 23298
Patrick M. Beardsley, Ph.D.
Professor
Patrick M. Beardsley, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 828-5185
Fax: (804) 828-2117
Email: patrick.beardsley@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
Robert Blackwell Smith Building, Room 756B
410 North 12th Street
Box 980613
Richmond, Virginia 23298
Jill C. Bettinger, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Jill C. Bettinger, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 828-2072
Email: jill.bettinger@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 3034
1220 East Broad Street
Box 980613
Richmond, Virginia
Darlene H. Brunzell, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Darlene H. Brunzell, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 628-7584
Fax: (804) 828-2117
Email: darlene.brunzell@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
410 North 12th Street
R. Blackwell Smith Building Room 738
Box 980613
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0613
M. Imad Damaj, Ph.D.
Professor
M. Imad Damaj, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 828-1676
Email: m.damaj@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
Molecular Medicine Research Building Room 3044
1220 East Broad Street
Box 980613
Richmond, Virginia
Andrew G. Davies, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Andrew G. Davies, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 828-2068
Fax: (804) 828-2117
Email: andrew.davies@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 3036
1220 East Broad Street
Box 980613
Richmond, Virginia
William L. Dewey, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair
William L. Dewey, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 827-0375
Email: william.dewey@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
McGuire Hall, Room 100C
1112 East Clay Street
Box 980613
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0613
David A. Gewirtz, Ph.D.
Professor
David A. Gewirtz, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 828-9523
Fax: (804) 827-1134
Email: david.gewirtz@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
Massey Cancer Center
401 College Street
Goodwin Research Laboratories, Room 321
Box 980035
Richmond,
Kurt F. Hauser, Ph.D.
Professor
Kurt F. Hauser, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 628-7579
Fax: (804) 828-0676
Email: kurt.hauser@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
Hermes A. Kontos Building, Room 439
1217 East Marshall Street
Box 980613
Richmond, Virginia 23298-06
Edward J.N. Ishac, Ph.D.
Professor
Edward J.N. Ishac, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Portrait Dr Edward JN Ishac, Ph.D.
Phone: (804) 828-2127
Fax: (828) 828-2117
Email: edward.ishac@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
Robert Blackwell Smith Building
410 North 12th Street,
Box 980613
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0613
Lankupalle D. Jayanthi, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Lankupalle D. Jayanthi, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 828-2067
Fax: 804-827-0377
Email: lankupalle.jayanthi@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
Smith Building, Room 740
410 North 12th Street
Box 980613
Richmond, Virginia 23219-0613
Ningjun Li, M.D.
Professor
Ningjun Li, M.D.
Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 828-2071
Fax: (804) 828-2117
Email: ningjun.li@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 3046
1220 East Broad Street
Box 980613
Richmond, Virginia
Pin-Lan Li, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor and Vice Chair
Pin-Lan Li, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor and Vice Chair
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Director for Hypertension and Kidney Research
Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Chair
Phone: (804) 828-4793
Fax: (804) 828-2117
Email: pin-lan.li@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 3050
1220 East Broad Street
Box 980613
Richmond, Virginia
Aron H. Lichtman, Ph.D.
Professor
Aron H. Lichtman, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 828-8480
Email: aron.lichtman@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 3042
1220 East Broad Street
Box 980613
Richmond, Virginia
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Laura Mathies, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Laura Mathies, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 828-8397
Email: laura.mathies@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 3038
1220 East Broad Street
Box 980613
Richmond, Virginia
Michael F. Miles, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor
Michael F. Miles, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 827-4054
Fax: (804) 828-6432
Email: michael.miles@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 6036
1220 East Broad Street
Box 980599
Richmond, Virginia
F. Gerard Moeller, M.D.
Professor
F. Gerard Moeller, M.D.
Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 828-4134
Email: frederick.moeller@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
203 East Cary Street, Suite 202
Richmond, Virginia 23219
S. Stevens Negus, Ph.D.
Professor
S. Stevens Negus, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 828-3158
Fax: (804) 828-2117
Email: sidney.negus@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
Robert Blackwell Smith Building, Room 760B
410 North 12th Street
Box 980613
Richmond, Virginia 23298
Katherine L. Nicholson, Ph.D., D.V.M.
Associate Professor
Katherine L. Nicholson, Ph.D., D.V.M.
Associate Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 828-6090
Email: katherine.nicholson@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
Robert Blackwell Smith Building, Room 734
410 North 12th Street
Box 980613
Richmond, Virginia 23298
Charles O’Keeffe, M.B.A.
Professor
Charles O’Keeffe, M.B.A.
Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 828-6246
Email: charles.okeeffe@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
McGuire Hall, Room 100C
1112 East Clay Street
Box 980613
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0613
Sammanda Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.
Professor
Sammanda Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 828-8407
Fax: (804) 827-0377
Email: sammanda.ramamoorthy@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
Robert Blackwell Smith Building, Room 758A
410 North Clay Street
Box 980613
Richmond, Virginia 23298
Joseph K. Ritter, Ph.D.
Professor
Joseph K. Ritter, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 828-1022
Fax: (804) 828-0676
Email: joseph.ritter@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
Hermes A. Kontos Building, Room 531
1217 East Marshall Street
Box 980613
Richmond, Virginia 23298-06
Joel E. Schlosburg, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Joel E. Schlosburg, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 628-7646
Email: Joel.Schlosburg@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 3040
1220 East Broad Street
Box 980613
Richmond, Virginia
Krista L. Scoggins, D.V.M.
Director of Graduate Education, Research Associate
Krista L. Scoggins, D.V.M.
Director of Graduate Education, Research Associate
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 828-7918
Email: krista.scoggins@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
McGuire Hall, room 100E
1112 East Clay Street
Box 980524
Richmond, Virginia 23298
Said M. Sebti, Ph.D.
Professor
Said M. Sebti, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 828 6995
Email: said.sebti@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
Massey Cancer Center 401 College Street Goodwin Research Laboratories, Room 325
Dana E. Selley, Ph.D.
Professor
Dana E. Selley, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 827-0463
Email: dana.selley@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
McGuire Hall Annex, Room 328
1112 East Clay Street
Box 980524
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0524
Keith L. Shelton, Ph.D.
Associate professor
Keith L. Shelton, Ph.D.
Associate professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 827-2104
Fax: (804) 828-2117
Email: keith.shelton@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
Robert Blackwell Smith Building, Room 760D
410 North 12th Street
Box 980613
Richmond, Virginia 23298
Laura J. Sim-Selley, Ph.D.
Professor
Laura J. Sim-Selley, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 827-0464
Email: laura.sim-selley@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
McGuire Hall, Room 303
1112 East Clay Street
Box 980524
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0524
Elizabeth Eustis Turf, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Elizabeth Eustis Turf, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 828-1797
Fax: (804) 828-1532
Email: elizabeth.eustisturf@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
1000 East Clay Street
Box 980524
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0524
D. Matthew Walentiny, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
D. Matthew Walentiny, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804)828-8445
Email: David.Walentiny@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
Kontos Medical Science Building, Room 313
1217 E Marshall Street
Box 980613
Richmond, VA 23298-0613
Sandra P. Welch, Ph.D.
Professor
Sandra P. Welch, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Phone: (804) 828-8424
Email: sandra.welch@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
McGuire Hall, Room 305
1112 East Clay Street
Box 980524
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0524
Jennifer Wolstenholme, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Jennifer Wolstenholme, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Director, Rodent Behavioral Core
VCU Alcohol Research Center
Phone: (804) 828-4353
Email: jennifer.wolstenholme@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
Kontos Medical Sciences Building, Room 631
1217 E. Marshall Street
Richmond, Virginia 23298
Current Postdoctoral Fellows
Ashfaq Ahmad
Mentor: Dr. Joseph Ritter
Ashfaq Ahmad
Mentor: Dr. Joseph Ritter
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Research Title: "Renomedllary metabolism of anandamide and blood pressure regulation"
Owais Bhat
Mentor: Dr. Pin-Lan Li
Owais Bhat
Mentor: Dr. Pin-Lan Li
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Research Title: "Lysosomal AC-mediated sphingolipid metabolism plays a key role in the control of lysosome trafficking or fusion to multivesicular bodies (MVBs) and subsequent exosome excretion maintaining the normal phenotype and function of SMCs"
Giulia Donvito
Mentor: Dr. Aron Lichtman
Giulia Donvito
Mentor: Dr. Aron Lichtman
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Research Title: "Investigating and validation of new therapeutic targets for the treatment of pain within and outside the endogenous cannabinoid system"
Gaizun Hu
Mentor: Dr. Ningjun Li
Gaizun Hu
Mentor: Dr. Ningjun Li
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Research Title:
Ginny McLane
Mentor: Dr. Kurt Hauser
Ginny McLane
Mentor: Dr. Kurt Hauser
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Research Title: "Opiate and HIV-induced neuropathogenesis in hippocampus: impact on excitatory/inhibitory dysregulation"
Xinxu Yuan
Mentor: Dr. Pin-Lan Li
Xinxu Yuan
Mentor: Dr. Pin-Lan Li
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Research Title: "Ceramide contributes smooth muscel cell exosome release"
Lesley Schurman
Mentor: Dr. Imad Damaj
Lesley Schurman
Mentor: Dr. Imad Damaj
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Research Title: "Endocannabinoid modulation of learning and memory"
Arianna Lark
Mentor: Dr. Kurt Hauser
Arianna Lark
Mentor: Dr. Kurt Hauser
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Research Title: "Regional differences in glial mediated HIV-1 Tat and opiate induced inflammation and injury"
Dan-Dan Huang
Mentor: Dr. Pin-Lan Li
Dan-Dan Huang
Mentor: Dr. Pin-Lan Li
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Research Title: "Contribution of Lysosome Dysfunction and Enhanced Exosome Release to Hcy-Induced Glomerular Injury in Podocyte-Specific ASM Transgenic Mice."
Edward Townsend
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Banks
Edward Townsend
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Banks
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Research Title: "Immunoantagonist effects on opioid choice"
Esad Ulker
Mentor: Dr. Imad Damaj
Esad Ulker
Mentor: Dr. Imad Damaj
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Research Title: "Pharmacological Assessment of New Outcome Measures in Pain Models"
Guangbi "George" Li
Mentor: Dr. Pin-Lan Li
Guangbi "George" Li
Mentor: Dr. Pin-Lan Li
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Research Title: "Podocyte-Specific Deletion of Asah1 Gene Produced Podocytopathy Without Sclerotic Pathology: A Potential Mouse Model for Steroid-Insensitive Minimal Change Disease"
Jonathan Lindsay
Mentor: Dr. Jill Bettinger
Jonathan Lindsay
Mentor: Dr. Jill Bettinger
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Research Title: "State dependent learning in C. elegans"
Martial Caillaud
Mentor: Dr. Imad Damaj
Martial Caillaud
Mentor: Dr. Imad Damaj
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Research Title: "Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha agonists as potential treatment for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy"
Sara Nass
Mentor: Dr. Kurt Hauser
Sara Nass
Mentor: Dr. Kurt Hauser
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Research Title: "The effects of HIV-1 Tat on cortico-basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical circuitry and associated behaviors"
Jane Roberts
Mentor: Dr. Imad Damaj
Jane Roberts
Mentor: Dr. Imad Damaj
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Research Title:
Wisam Toma
Mentor: Dr. Imad Damaj
Wisam Toma
Mentor: Dr. Imad Damaj
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Research Title: "Investigating the role of α7 nAChRs in paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy in mice"
Current Students
Nadeja Blajkevish "Nadia"
Degree: M.S.
Nadeja Blajkevish "Nadia"
Degree: M.S.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Dana Selley
Jeremy Cornelissen
Degree: Ph.D.
Jeremy Cornelissen
Degree: Ph.D.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Matthew Banks
Zachary Curry
Degree: M.D./Ph.D.
Zachary Curry
Degree: M.D./Ph.D.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Aron Lichtman
Guy Harris
Degree: M.D./Ph.D.
Guy Harris
Degree: M.D./Ph.D.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Michael Miles
Abdulmajeed Jali
Degree: Ph.D.
Abdulmajeed Jali
Degree: Ph.D.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Dana Selley
Jessica Jurmain
Degree: M.S.
Jessica Jurmain
Degree: M.S.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Jennifer Wolstenholme
Luke Legakis
Degree: M.D./Ph.D.
Luke Legakis
Degree: M.D./Ph.D.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Sidney S. Negus
Julia Meade
Degree: Ph.D.
Julia Meade
Degree: Ph.D.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Imad Damaj
Ryan Mischel
Degree: M.D./Ph.D.
Ryan Mischel
Degree: M.D./Ph.D.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Hamid Akbarali
Karan Muchhala
Degree: Ph.D.
Karan Muchhala
Degree: Ph.D.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Hamid Akbarali
Liliya Tyutyunyk-Massey
Degree: Ph.D.
Liliya Tyutyunyk-Massey
Degree: Ph.D.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. David Gewirtz
Andrew Van Der Vaart
Degree: M.D./Ph.D.
Andrew Van Der Vaart
Degree: M.D./Ph.D.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Michael Miles
Neil Varshneya
Degree: Ph.D.
Neil Varshneya
Degree: Ph.D.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Patrick Beardsley
Rory Weston
Degree: MD/Ph.D.
Rory Weston
Degree: MD/Ph.D.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Michael Miles
Valerie Carpenter
Degree: PhD
Valerie Carpenter
Degree: PhD
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. David Gewirtz
Clare Diester
Degree: PhD
Clare Diester
Degree: PhD
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Sidney S. Negus
Julien Dodu
Degree: PhD
Julien Dodu
Degree: PhD
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Aron Lichtman
Rosamond Goodson
Degree: PhD
Rosamond Goodson
Degree: PhD
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Joel Schlosburg
Christina Lee
Degree: M.S.
Christina Lee
Degree: M.S.
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. David Gewirtz
Mohammed Mustafa
Degree: M.S.
Mohammed Mustafa
Degree: M.S.
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Aron Lichtman
Nipa Patel
Degree: PhD
Nipa Patel
Degree: PhD
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. David Gewirtz
Urszula Warncke
Degree: PhD.
Urszula Warncke
Degree: PhD.
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Imad Damaj
Leah Aclin
Degree: PhD
Leah Aclin
Degree: PhD
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Darlene Brunzell
Fereshteh Ahmadinejad
Degree: PhD
Fereshteh Ahmadinejad
Degree: PhD
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. David Gewirtz
Lois Akinola
Degree: PhD
Lois Akinola
Degree: PhD
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. M. Imad Damaj
Yasmin Alkhlaif
Degree: Ph.D.
Yasmin Alkhlaif
Degree: Ph.D.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. M. Imad Damaj
Maria Bent
Degree: Ph.D.
Maria Bent
Degree: Ph.D.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr.Jennifer Wolstenholme
Emily Brocato
Degree: Ph.D.
Emily Brocato
Degree: Ph.D.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Jennifer Wolstenholme
Ryan Finnegan
Degree: Ph.D.
Ryan Finnegan
Degree: Ph.D.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. David Gewirtz
Donald Jessup
Degree: Ph.D.
Donald Jessup
Degree: Ph.D.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Hamid Akbarali
Michael Marone
Degree: Ph.D.
Michael Marone
Degree: Ph.D.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Kurt Hauser
Nima Nassehi
Degree: Ph.D.
Nima Nassehi
Degree: Ph.D.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Dana Selley
Brennen O'Rouke
Degree: MD/Ph.D.
Brennen O'Rouke
Degree: MD/Ph.D.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Michael Miles
Edna Santos
Degree: Ph.D.
Edna Santos
Degree: Ph.D.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Steve Negus
Katherine Contreras
Degree: M.S.
Katherine Contreras
Degree: M.S.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Imad Damaj
Jayden Elmer
Degree: M.S.
Jayden Elmer
Degree: M.S.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Aron Lichtman
Lauren Moncayo
Degree: M.S.
Lauren Moncayo
Degree: M.S.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Adviser: Dr. Aron Lichtman
