School of Medicine

Program Overview

In its broadest sense, pharmacology is the study of drug action. It is a science that pervades all aspects of health care and forms the foundation for the practice of medicine. As a discipline, Pharmacology has provided an umbrella for intellectual activities that have led to multiple Nobel prizes recognizing discoveries in the basic principles of drug receptor interactions, disease mechanisms and mechanisms of drug action and drug development.

The graduate program in the Department of Pharmacology at LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans is designed to prepare students for a career in teaching and research in academic institutions, the pharmaceutical industry, and government agencies. Pharmacology is founded in biological and physical sciences; thus, students should have a working knowledge of biology, chemistry, and mathematics. The training program consists of both didactic and practical course work, seminars, and research experience.

Currently, our graduate students participate in research in areas that include molecular therapeutics, gene therapy and cell signaling, renal and cardiovascular pharmacology, neuropharmacology, behavioral pharmacology, alcohol and drugs of abuse, cancer biology, toxicology, and drug metabolism.  Each student in the program has the opportunity to study under excellent, highly experienced mentors in modern, state-of-the-art research laboratories.

Building upon our fine tradition, we are seeking those students who have a love of science and an interest in new discovery. Upon completion of their degrees our recent graduates have gone on to have successful careers in academia, the pharmaceutical industry or government agencies.

LSUHSC-New Orleans provides students with the opportunity to earn a PhD through mentorship by faculty in basic science programs in the School of Medicine, as well as four Centers of Excellence. The program provides an integrated foundational curriculum, and students have the opportunity toselect a mentor and research project from a wide range of research topics. During the first year of study, students are enrolled in a one-year interdisciplinary curriculum and complete a series of four research rotations in different labs. At the completion of the first year, students select a mentor and determine a basic science research focus, which will include advanced coursework and the research project required for their dissertation. For more information, please visit the School of Graduate Studies Admissions page. 

For interest in the graduate student programs at LSUHSC New Orleans, please refer to the School of Graduate Studies.