Boston University Medical Campus
Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics

NIGMS Training Grant/Program in Biomolecular Pharmacology

NIGMS Training Grant in Biomolecular Pharmacology

The Program in Biomolecular Pharmacology at Boston University School of Medicine was honored in July 1997 with the award of a National Institute of General Medical Sciences T32 Instructional Training Grant (Principal Investigator, David H. Farb, Ph.D.), one of only two such pharmacology training grants in the New England area. In the ten years since the award, this University-wide Program has flourished, providing a unique interdisiplinary and interdepartmental learning environment for doctoral students.

Program in Biomolecular Pharmacology

1. Program of Study
2. Ph.D. Curriculum
3. Faculty
4. The University
5. Boston and Surrounding Region
6. Admission
7. Boston University Graduate Student Symposia
8. Fellowships and Awards
9. Area Meetings
10. Pharmacology Department Special Lectures

Program of Study

Pharmacology has historically been an interdisciplinary field, positioned at the point of convergence of physiology, biochemistry, organic chemistry, behavioral science, and medicine. The pharmacology of this century will bring together an even wider range of disciplines, combining traditional aspects of pharmacology with novel approaches drawn from other disciplines, such as biophysics, biomedical engineering, and molecular genetics.

The predoctoral training program in Biomolecular Pharmacology is based on a training partnership among faculty in the Departments of Pharmacology, Anatomy and Neurobiology, Biology, Biochemistry, Physiology and Biophysics, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, and Molecular Medicine. The curriculum formalizes interdisciplinary predoctoral training in molecular pharmacology. Students receive formal training in the principles of molecular pharmacology, as well as in molecular genetic, biophysical, and structural approaches to the study of drug-receptor interactions. A major benefit of the program is to expand opportunities for students to carry out research in these areas.

Oversight and coordination is provided by a Program Graduate Education Committee composed of faculty representatives from the participating components in the School of Medicine and the College of Engineering. The structure of the program catalyzes continued and expanded collaborations among the participating faculty, and fosters interactions among students and faculty of the participating components. This program produces scientists who have an understanding of and firsthand experience with a broad range of technologies at the cutting edge of research in molecular pharmacology. The excellence of our training program has been recognized nationally by the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences in the form of funding for our Interdepartmental University-wide Program in Biomolecular Pharmacology.

PhD Curriculum

The average tenure of PhD candidates in the Biomolecular Pharmacology training program is five years. The major focus of the training program is the development of expertise in basic research. The first year and a half of the program entails emphasis on formal course work. In addition, on matriculation students begin a sequence of four required laboratory rotations. The laboratory rotations provide students with the opportunity to investigate potential areas for dissertation research while enhancing the breadth of their training.

During the last three years in the program, the primary emphasis is on dissertation research. Students are also required to complete advanced level course work, report on their dissertation research, and participate in activities consistent with their development as future scientists. Details of these activities are provided below. Students in the program receive essential training in pharmacology with special emphasis on molecular pharmacology. The goal of this program is to produce scientists who have an understanding of, and first-hand experience with, the major questions and technologies on the cutting edge of molecular pharmacology.

Since the inception of this training program, most students have entered through the Department of Pharmacology. Students are also accepted into the program through the Departments of Physiology and Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering and Molecular Medicine. Each of these PhD programs requires 64 credit hours for completion plus a qualifying examination and a successful oral defense. Each of the programs has specific requirements, and individual programs of study for the PhD degree are determined by each student in consultation with a faculty advisor and the Program Graduate Education Committee.

This ensures that students entering the program from departments other than Pharmacology satisfy the requirements of their respective departments. Students complete the following core courses: General Biochemistry I and II, Human Physiology, Molecular Neurobiology and Pharmacology, Laboratory Techniques in Modern Pharmacology, Advanced General Pharmacology, Current Topics in Pharmacological Sciences, and three advanced electives. The training plan has been approved by the participating departments as fulfilling their requirements, without requiring an excessive course load. Students spend summers engaged in research and are encouraged to begin rotations during the month of July prior to the start of courses.

Course Requirements

The Core — 20 credits

GMS BI 755 General Biochemistry (4 cr)
GMS BI 756 General Biochemistry (4 cr)
GMS PH 542 Human Physiology (4 cr) [or ENG BE 706 Quantitative Physiology for Engineers (4 cr)]
GMS PM 700 Molecular Neurobiology and Pharmacology (4 cr)
GMS PM 800 Advanced General Pharmacology (2 cr)
GMS PM 810 Current Topics in Pharmacological Sciences (2 cr)

Program electives — 4 credits minimum

GMS PM 720 General Medical Pharmacology (8 cr)
GMS PM 820 Neuropsychopharmacology (2 cr)
GMS PM 830 Principles of Pharmacokinetics (2 cr)
GMS PM 832 Pharmacogenomics (2 cr)
GMS PM 840 Neuroendocrine Pharmacology (2 cr)
GMS PM 843 Pharmacologic Intervention in the Inflammatory Response (2 cr)
GMS PM 850 Biochemical Neuropharmacology (2 cr)
GMS PM 860 Electrophysiology and Pharmacology of the Synapse (2 cr)
GMS PM 880 Gene Regulation and Pharmacology (2 cr)
GMS PM 881 Drug Discovery and Development (2 cr)
GMS PM 892 Molecular and Neural Bases of Learning Behaviors (2 cr)
GMS BY 771 Biophysics of Macromolecular Assemblies (4 cr)
GMS BY 772 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Biology and Biophysics (2 cr)
ENG BE 560 Biomolecular Architecture (4 cr)
ENG BE 561 DNA and Protein Sequence Analysis (4 cr)
ENG BE 565 Molecular Biotechnology (2 cr)
ENG BE 726 Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering (4 cr)
ENG BE 727 Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering (4 cr)
GMS BI 776 Gene Targeting in Transgenic Mice (2 cr)
GMS BI 782 Molecular Biology (2 cr)
GMS BI 783 Structure and Function of Proteins (2 cr)
GMS BI 789 Physical Biochemistry (2 cr)
GMS BI 790 Receptors and Signal Transduction (2 cr)
GMS MS 753 Cell Biology (4 cr)
GMS PH 843 Cellular Physiology I (4 cr)
GMS PH 844 Cellular Physiology II (4 cr)
GMS MS 703 Neuroscience (4 cr)
GMS AN 709 Neural Development and Plasticity (2 cr)
CLA CN 510 Principles and Methods of Cognitive and Neural Modeling (4 cr)

Seminar Courses (2 credits)

GMS PM 810 Current Topics in Pharmacological Sciences (2 cr)
ENG BE 790 Biomedical Engineering Seminar (no cr)
GMS BY 871, 872 Biophysics Seminar (2 cr)

Laboratory Rotations-4 credits

GMS PM 710 Laboratory Techniques in Modern Pharmacology ( 2 cr; two semesters required in the first year; this is a laboratory rotation course and students may elect to complete additional laboratory rotations during the summer of the first year)

Laboratory Rotations

During the first year, predoctoral trainees register for two semesters of GMS PM 710 Laboratory Techniques in Modern Pharmacology, in which they complete four laboratory rotations of seven weeks each. Students choose rotation mentors from the participating faculty members of the Program, independent of department affiliation. This rotation experience provides exposure to a variety of experimental approaches to the study of pharmacology. Trainees are encouraged to select rotations in laboratories that approach problems from different perspectives, in keeping with the fundamental goal of providing them a broad and more complete understanding of research strategies that have been developed to address questions of pharmacological importance. Rotations are designed to be a teaching instrument and students are encouraged to obtain publication quality data. Each student submits a paper written in the style of a research manuscript after each rotation that summarizes his or her research experience. At the end of each semester, there is an additional course meeting at which students will deliver presentations of their rotation experiences. Students receive a grade of Pass or Fail based upon their performance in research rotations and the grading of their written reports. The course manager reviews papers, provides evaluations to students, and maintains feedback to the faculty.

Seminars

The Biomolecular Pharmacology seminar program has been expanded through support provided by institutional sources, the endowed Sterling Drug Visiting Professorship, and by an award from the Burroughs Wellcome Foundation. All students are required to attend pharmacology seminars. In addition, students register for at least one semester of Current Topics in Pharmacological Sciences. In this course, the guest lecturer attends student presentations of research paper(s) related to the lecturer’s research. This course has proved to be highly successful in providing students with essential background to the seminar speaker’s work and thereby preparing the students to participate actively in the department seminar. Trainees will also be given a list of seminars in all participating departments and encouraged to attend those seminars relating to their area of research.

Qualifying Examination

At the end of the second year, each student takes a qualifying examination offered by his/her department of entry, which includes both written and oral components. For students entering through the Department of Pharmacology, the qualifying examination is administered by a committee of five faculty members selected by the student in consultation with his/her advisor. The composition of the Qualifying Examination Committee is reviewed and approved by the Program Director and emphasis is placed upon representation of faculty from other participating departments. The written component of the examination includes five essay questions, one from each examining faculty member, designed to test the student’s knowledge of pharmacology and related disciplines. After passing the written examination, the student undergoes an oral examination by his/her Qualifying Examination Committee designed to test the student’s ability to integrate information and reason experimentally.

Monitoring of Student Progress

Prior to selection of a research mentor, student progress is monitored by the Program Director, who serves as First-year Advisor for entering students, and by the Course Manager of the laboratory rotations course. The Program Graduate Education Committee reviews the progress of each Program student after the completion of each semester. In the Fall of the third year, a Dissertation Advisory Committee is constituted for each student, which continues to meet every semester (or more frequently if necessary) through the remainder of the student’s graduate studies. After each meeting, the Dissertation Advisory Committee submits a written report on the student’s progress to the Program Director. At the end of the third year, each student presents a Progress Report on his/her research to the Department of Pharmacology. Upon completion of the dissertation, the pre-defense meeting of the Dissertation Defense Committee (which will normally be the Dissertation Advisory Committee plus one or more outside members) will verify that the student is prepared to proceed to the dissertation defense. At the defense, the student presents his/her work in a Departmental Seminar, then meets with the Dissertation Defense Committee to defend his/her dissertation.

Group Meeting Presentations

Each faculty member meets regularly with trainees to discuss ongoing projects in the context of the research literature. At these meetings trainees give informal presentations of their current research and discuss results of recent papers from the literature. This forum also gives trainees the opportunity to discuss with faculty issues related to the training, as well as suggestions for improvement in the program.

Presentation of Research Findings

Trainees are expected to present their research findings at national research meetings. Although graduate students tend to prefer the poster mode of presentation at meetings, all trainees are encouraged to give at least one slide presentation at a national meeting. They are also encouraged to present research findings at regional and local meetings, such as the New England Pharmacologists meetings. These are yearly meetings at which there are, in addition to plenary speakers, both oral and poster presentations. The Pharmacology Department supports these activities by providing a $300 travel allowance to students who are first author on an abstract at a national meeting, and $100 for presenting authors to attend the New England Pharmacologists Meeting. Students selected for appointment to the Training Grant utilize the travel funds to help support attendance at regional and national meetings.

Trainees also participate in the interdisciplinary forums at the Medical School for presentation and discussion of research, including the monthly Graduate Student Forum. A major innovation in 1995 was the establishment of the Henry I. Russek Student Achievement Day and Awards Program, organized by Shelley Russek, PhD, Professor of Pharmacology. One student from each basic science department and degree-granting program is selected to receive a $2,000 award that acknowledges their dedication and research accomplishments. Prior to the awards’ ceremony each award winner presents their results in a slide format. Each year about 100 PhD and MD/PhD students have participated in the day by presenting posters and supporting their fellow students. All students in the training program participate in this event.

Students also are encouraged to participate in the Boston University Graduate Research Day, a university-wide meeting with poster presentation that is open to all graduate students. It is held annually at the George Sherman Union on the Charles River Campus. Several awards are given to students based on their abstracts and poster presentations. In the last five years students form the Biomolecular Pharmacology Program have an outstanding record of achievement at this meeting. Since 1996, five PhD students in pharmacology received awards at this event. Most remarkable is that in each of 1997, 1998, and 1999 the highest honor, the University’s President Award, was earned by a Pharmacology PhD candidate.

Students may also compete for Division of Graduate Medical Sciences Research Awards. These grants provide a meritorious award for the student as well as funds for the laboratory to support the student’s research project. There are two $5,000 awards, with a $500 student prize, and five $2000 awards, with a $250 student prize.

The interdisciplinary spirit that is the basis of the NIGMS Biomolecular Pharmacology Training Program is accentuated by monthly meetings, “Program Socials “, that encourage interactions among students, faculty, and research personnel from the Charles River and Medical campuses. Brief informal presentations by a faculty member and students highlight the innovative research in their laboratory and lead to lively discussions that stimulate future collaborations.

Selection of Students for Training Grant Support

Individuals with baccalaureate degrees who meet the requirements of the participating departments are considered for acceptance into the predoctoral program. Training grant support is only allocated to applications who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

The Program Graduate Education Committee recommends to the Program Director the students to be supported by the raining grant. Students are eligible for funding for the first two years of their Ph.D. training. Candidates include students accepted to PhD programs in Pharmacology, Physiology and Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Medicine, and MD/PhD students enrolled at Boston University. The latter are eligible to receive a stipend only during their PhD training period, which is normally between the second and third years of medical training.

Students are nominated by participating in departmental admissions’ committees by May 1. These nominations occur prior to matriculation for students entering the PhD program and during the second year of medical training for the students in the MD/PhD program. Nominations are also sought from the participating faculty for students who are in their first year of study and have identified a mentor for the second year. The following criteria are used to prioritize nominees and select students for training grant support:

(1) Highest priority is assigned to students who identify pharmacology as their major field of interest by having applied and been accepted into graduate training through the Biomolecular Pharmacology Program. Students who enter through Physiology and Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering and Molecular Medicine and who exhibit a strong interest in pharmacology are eligible. Minority applicants are identified and given careful consideration.

(2) The caliber and interests of the candidate are an important considerations. Highest priority is assigned to students with the strongest academic record, including grade point average, standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, previous research experience, a promising interview, interest in study of pharmacology at the molecular or integrative level, and desire to capitalize on the resources of the interdisciplinary components of the program.

For students who identify a preferred faculty advisor, which is most likely to occur with MD/PhD candidates who will have completed one laboratory rotations prior to nomination, the availability of resources is a factor. Special attention is devoted to equitable distribution of students supported by the training grant among the eligible participating faculty.

At the end of the student’s first year of PhD study, the Program Graduate Education Committee makes a recommendation whether to support in the second year, based on the student’s performance in the first year, the strength of the student’s research project a commitment to pharmacological studies, and the availability of resources for the student’s support.

Students supported by the training grant in their initial years of PhD study are expected to satisfy the requirements of the program and will be identified as trainees in Biomolecular Pharmacology throughout the duration of their graduate training regardless of sources of support in terminal years.

Faculty

Carmela Abraham, PhD, Professor of Biochemistry
Karen N. Allen, Ph.D., Professor of Physiology and Biophysics
Salomon Amar, D.M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Periodontology and Oral Biology, and Associate Dean of Research at BUSDM
David Atkinson, PhD, Professor of Physiology and Biophysics, Research Professor of Biochemistry
Irving J. Bigio, PhD, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Physics
Victoria M. Bolotina, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Physiology, Director of Ion Channels and Calcium Signaling Unit, Department of Medicine
Charles Cantor, Ph.D. Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Pharmacology
Jiang-Fan Chen, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Neurology
Dominic A. Ciraulo, M.D., Professor and Chairman of Psychiatry
Richard A. Cohen, MD, Professor of Medicine, Physiology, and Pharmacology
Charles De Lisi, PhD, Metcalf Professor of Science and Engineering and Dean Emeritus, College of Engineering
Gerald Denis, PhD, Assistant Professor, Cancer Research Center
Howard Eichenbaum, Professor of Psychology, Director of Cognitive Neurobiology Laboratory
David H. Farb, PhD, Professor and Chairman, Department of Pharmacology
Lindsay A. Farrer, Professor of Medicine, Neurology, Genetics & Genomics, Epidemiology, & Biostatistics; Chief, Genetics Program
Richard E. Fine, PhD, Professor of Biochemistry and Neurology
Jane Freedman, Associate Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology
Terrell T. Gibbs, PhD, Associate Professor of Pharmacology
Robert C. Green, M.D., M.P.H., Professor of Neurology, Genetics and Epidemiology
Mark W. Grinstaff, PhD, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Ophthalmology
James A. Hamilton, PhD, Professor of Physiology and Biophysics, Research Professor of Medicine
Alan Herbert, MB.ChB. Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Genetics and Genomics
Gary B. Kaplan, MD, Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, VA Boston Healthcare System- Jamaica Plain Division
Conan Kornetsky, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology
Susan E. Leeman, PhD, Professor of Pharmacology
Adam Lerner, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Pathology
John R. Murphy, PhD, Professor of Medicine, Biochemistry, and Microbiology
Susan Perrine, M.D. Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Medicine, and Pharmacology; Director of the Hemoglobinopathy-Thalassemia Research Unit
John A. Porco, PhD, Professor of Chemistry and Pharmacology
Katya Ravid, DSc, PhD, Professor of Biochemistry
Karen Reed, Ph.D. Research Assistant Professor of Surgery and Pharmacology
Douglas L. Rosene, PhD, Associate Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology
Shelley J. Russek, PhD, Professor of Pharmacology
Scott Schaus, PhD, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Pharmacology
Jean-Jacques Soghomonian, PhD, Associate Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology
Remco Spanjaard, PhD, Associate Professor of Otolaryngology and Biochemistry
Thomas D. Tullius, PhD, Professor and Chairman of Chemistry
Carol T. Walsh, PhD, Professor of Pharmacology
David J. Waxman, PhD, Professor of Biology and Medicine
Zhiping Weng, PhD, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering
John A. White, PhD, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Benjamin Wolozin, MD, PhD, Professor of Pharmacology and Neurology
Joyce Y. Wong, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineerin

The City of Boston

Boston is a city rich in history, Old World charm, and modern vitality. Home to more than 60 colleges and universities, it is an intellectual and cultural center, diverse in its people, stimulating in its opportunities, yet relaxed and accessible.

Boston is the largest city in New England and the site of many significant events in early American Colonial and Revolutionary history. Much of that early flavor remains today in its cobbled streets, in its historic landmarks that bring alive Paul Revere’s ride and the Boston Tea Party, and in the Federalist row houses on Beacon Hill. A historic seaport that grew to prominence in the days of the China trade and the whaling industry, the city maintains a thriving and picturesque waterfront. The New England Aquarium, one of the foremost in the world, shares the harborside with sightseeing cruise ships, traditional New England fishermen unloading their catches, international cargo traffic, and the U.S.S. Constitution, “Old Ironsides.” Here, historic treasures intermingle with contemporary skyscrapers, evidence of the city’s thriving business and financial community and its leading role in research and technology.

The dual campuses of Boston University are well situated to enjoy the cultural and recreational attractions of the city. The Medical Center campus is located in Boston’s South End approximately two miles from the Charles River Campus and connected with it by a convenient shuttle-bus system. Both campuses are only minutes from the downtown theater, shopping, government, and financial districts. A short ride on the streetcar brings one to the elegant shops of Copley Square, the sporting events at Boston Garden, the endless diversions of the restored Faneuil Hall market area. The city’s rich cultural and ethnic mix is evident in its varied neighborhoods. The North End boasts superb Italian cuisine, Chinatown has a wealth of restaurants, and smaller enclaves offer Portuguese, Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, Middle Eastern, Jewish, and soul food. This is in addition, of course, to world-class pizza, tacos, and other fast foods necessary to student survival.

Boston is the home of the world-famous Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Pops, and a wealth of music from opera to rock, jazz, and reggae. Many dance and theater groups perform regularly, and students can take special advantage of the many performances at the Boston University School for the Arts and the highly acclaimed resident Huntington Theater Company. Dozens of museums include the world-renowned Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and the Institute of Contemporary Art. Galleries intermingle with elegant boutiques on Newbury Street, and visitors participate in a variety of interactive exhibits at the Museum of Science.

An enthusiastic sports city, Boston supports the Red Sox, the New England Patriots, the Celtics, and the Bruins. Each April, the Boston Marathon passes through the Boston University campus. Every October, The Head of the Charles, one of the world’s premier rowing competitions, begins at the Boston University Bridge. An active University sports program boasts championship varsity teams in football, hockey, crew, and soccer. Beaches to the north and south, including the famous shores of Cape Cod, are within easy reach by car or bus. For the hiker or skier, the mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont are but a few hours drive, as are the picturesque shores of Maine.

A splendid place to study, work, as well as relax, Boston is consistently voted one of the most desirable U.S. cities in which to live. Few cities in the world can offer so much to every individual.

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The University

Boston supports a vigorous intellectual environment and is world renowned for biomedical research and biotechnology. The Medical Center campus of Boston University, which encompasses Boston University School of Medicine, University Hospital, and Boston City Hospital, has seen the recent completion of the Center for Advanced Biomedical Research, the first building in a $350-million biomedical/biotechnology complex. The School of Medicine includes more than 500 full-time faculty members and has consistently ranked among the top medical colleges nationwide. Graduate-student enrollment at the School of Medicine is approximately 300, resulting in an excellent faculty-to-student ratio. The high quality of research at the Medical Center is demonstrated by the success of its faculty and students in obtaining over $100 million annually in research grants. The Department of BioMolecular Engineering is located on the Charles River Campus. In total, Boston University has a full-time student body of 20,000 and a graduate- student enrollment of approximately 2000.

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Admission

Students interested in the Biomolecular Pharmacology Program should apply to the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences at Boston University School of Medicine and should indicate their desire to matriculate into the Pharmacology Department. Divisional prerequisites for admission include a bachelor’s degree and coursework in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. Prerequisite courses not completed before registration may be completed while the candidate is in residence as a graduate student, but may not be presented for graduate credit. The Graduate Record Examination is also a prerequisite for admission. An interview with faculty members is encouraged and every effort will be made to assist students with their travel expenses. The program faculty are dedicated to increasing the cultural and ethnic diversity among the student and the faculty population. We encourage applications from female and minority candidates.

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Graduate Student Symposia

BOSTON UNIVERSITY GRADUATE RESEARCH DAY is a university wide poster presentation that is open to all graduate students. It is held annually at the George Sherman Student Union on the Charles River Campus of Boston University. Several awards are given to students based on their abstracts and poster presentations.

HENRY I. RUSSEK STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT DAY, held at Boston University School of Medicine by the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences, is an annual event that acknowledges the accomplishments of Ph.D. and M.D./Ph.D. students who are dedicating their lives to advancing the understanding of basic biological processes relevant to human disease. Student slide and poster presentations are accented by an awards program and library publication that marks the history of graduate student biomedical research at the institution.

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Fellowships and Awards

THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIVERSITY GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP provides one full year of support for exceptionally well-qualified entering Ph.D. students This award requires no service; it includes a substantial stipend and full tuition scholarship. Students may not apply directly for these awards. Nominees are proposed by the Graduate School departments, divisions, and programs, and are reviewed by the Graduate School University Fellowship Committee, which makes final recommendations for awards to the Associate Dean of the Graduate School.

THE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. FELLOWSHIP is available to African American students beginning graduate study in any department or program of the University. It provides tuition and fees for full-time study plus a stipend. Students are nominated for this award by their academic department and may not apply directly. Interested students should specify on the application for admission that they wish to be nominated by their department for this fellowship.

THE JOSEPH COCHIN AWARD IN PHARMACOLOGY AND MEDICAL ETHICS is awarded to the graduating M.D. or M.D./Ph.D. student distinguished by high achievement in pharmacology and in medical ethics. In choosing the recipient of the Award, particular emphasis is placed on extra-curricular activities and on independent effort, including research. The Award honors the memory of Dr. Joseph Cochin, a long-time member of the faculty.

THE UPJOHN ACHIEVEMENT AWARD is presented to the graduating M.D. or M.D./Ph.D. student with a distinguished academic record at Boston University School of Medicine with special accomplishments in pharmacology. This honor in the form of a plaque and a monetary award has been possible through the generous support of the Upjohn Company.

HENRY I. RUSSEK GRADUATE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD is presented to a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. student who shows exceptional promise for future contributions as an outstanding researcher in the biomedical sciences. There are up to eight annual first prize awards of $1500 each and up to eight second prize awards of $500 each that are administered by the basic science departments and degree granting programs. This substantial monetary award is a gift to the student and is in addition to full stipend support. Awards are presented at the annual Student Achievement Day of the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences, Boston University School of Medicine, and honor the memory of Dr. Russek, a distinguished clinician, researcher, and founding member of the New York and American Colleges of Cardiology.

THE DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACOLOGY CHAIRMAN’S AWARD is presented annually to a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. student for his/her contributions to their department, in community service and in recognition of their academic achievements.

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Area Meetings

THE NEW ENGLAND PHARMACOLOGISTS MEETING has been held annually since 1972 to provide graduate students an opportunity to present their work to a regional audience and to interact with pharmacologists from academic and pharmaceutical organizations from throughout the area. The meeting generally includes lectures by two speakers of national prominence. One graduate student from each school with attendees at the meeting is recognized with an award for research excellence. The New England Pharmacologists became a regional chapter of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET) in 2004, and the abstracts from the meeting are now published in The Pharmacologist.

The host for the 2006, 2007 and 2008 meetings was the Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics at Boston University School of Medicine.

From left to right: PhD students, Karla Mark, Theo Hadjipetros, and Scott Downing, during the January 28-29, 2005 New England Pharmacologists 34th Annual Meeting where they presented their research.	PhD student, Jacobi Cunningham, describes his doctoral research on the amphetamine MDMA to attendees at the 2006 New England Pharmacologists meeting.

NEP 2006 Report

NEP 2007 Report

NEP 2008 Report

THE BOSTON AREA NEUROSCIENCE GROUP (B.A.N.G.) was founded in 1968 and is a local chapter of the Society for Neuroscience. Each year BANG organizes a meeting which provides an opportunity for area neuroscientists and, in particular students, to present their recent research findings in poster form. The highlight of the meeting is a keynote lecture given by a leading researcher selected by a student steering committee. This pizza and beer get-together of area neuroscientists remains a very popular event, drawing 300 to 500 participants for one enjoyable evening in late winter or early spring.

BOSTON AREA GRADUATE STUDENT SYMPOSIUM (B.A.G.S.S.) is a gathering of students from Boston University, Harvard University, Tufts University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who present their work and exchange scientific ideas in a social environment.

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Pharmacology Department Special Lectures

Wellcome Visiting Professor in the Basic Medical Science

The Wellcome Visiting Professor in the Basic Medical Science at the Boston University School of Medicine was sponsored by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. The purpose of the Visiting Professorships is to stimulate interest in the basic sciences and to enhance communication with scientists in Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Pathology, Nutrition, Immunology and Cell Biology.

1991   SYDNEY BRENNER, Ph.D., Director of the Molecular Genetics Unit
Medical Research Council, Cambridge, England
“The Human Gene Kit”
“The Evolution of Genes and Proteins”