Department Of Pharmacology

Emeson was one of the first scientists to explore a newly discovered biological process called RNA editing, a mechanism by which cells can subtly change the function of proteins and non-coding RNAs to fine-tune their activities. His team’s pioneering research made seminal contributions to the field and laid the foundation for understanding how RNA editing contributes to the regulation of neuronal function. Reflecting on his career, Emeson said the best things have been “the science, the students, the opportunity to work with talented colleagues, and the IACUC.” Read More

Niswender’s project seeks to understand why levels of mGlu7 are reduced in Rett syndrome and to test a new therapeutic approach using DNA molecules to restore those levels. This work could pave the way for new drug therapies to address symptoms of Rett syndrome and related disorders, while also advancing advocacy and visibility for these conditions in the scientific community. Read More

They are among 6,868 scientists worldwide whose papers rank in the top 1% by citations for their fields of research and publication year in the Web of Science Core Collection over the past 11 years. Read More

In this episode of Quantum Potential, Craig Lindsley, William K. Warren, Jr. Professor of Medicine, University Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacology and executive director of the Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, joins Provost C. Cybele Raver to discuss transformative research exploring how subtle tweaks to brain chemistry could change the way we treat neurodegenerative diseases and chronic pain. Lindsley shares how academic-industry collaborations drive innovation in drug discovery and highlights how Vanderbilt’s scientific workflow is enabling the broader research community to build on its breakthroughs. Read More

BrightFocus Foundation’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research program has awarded a three-year, $300,000 research grant to Monica Santisteban, assistant professor of Medicine, Neurology and Pharmacology, to investigate the role of the renin angiotensin system in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease pathology. Read More

Heidi Hamm,, the Aileen M. Lange and Annie Mary Lyle Professor of Cardiovascular Research and former chair of the Department of Pharmacology, and Eric Skaar, the Ernest W. Goodpasture Professor of Pathology and director of the Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation have been elected members of the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of their “distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.” Read More

Lisa M. Monteggia and Matthew J. Tyska are among the 471 scientists elected as 2024 fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Dean John Kuriyan was also recently elected a member of the 2025 class of fellows of the American Association for Cancer Research academy. Read More

New research reveals that alcohol use can cause long-lasting changes in the brain’s dopamine system, even during abstinence. Vanderbilt researchers found that even after a month without alcohol, key regulators of dopamine activity remained altered, potentially increasing the risk of relapse. The study also challenges long-held assumptions about how gene expression relates to brain function, opening new doors for precision treatments in alcohol use disorder. Read More

On Jan. 14, President Biden awarded nearly 400 scientists and engineers the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers early in their careers. Read More

Vanderbilt University has announced this year’s Master Innovators including Carrie Jones, Colleen Niswender, and Alex Waterson. The recognition, presented by the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization, honors faculty whose groundbreaking research has been translated into transformative innovations, advancing their fields and making a significant impact on society. Read More