"With the Pharmacology Professional Development Award, I attended the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET) 2026 annual meeting. At the meeting I was able to present my research in the poster session to both academic and industry experts and gained valuable feedback and suggestions from them. I also attended many networking events and broadened my professional connections. I attended many talks where I learned about new scientific advances in the field of pharmacology, as well as changes in the regulatory landscape, and examples of science policy. Overall, this meeting was an excellent opportunity to strengthen my presentation skills and research, as well as knowledge and connections in this field. " - Griffin Shaffer (shown above), P&P PhD student and 2026 Pharmacology PDE Fund recipient.

"In June, I was able to attend the Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Pharmacology Professional Development Award enabled me to give an oral presentation of my work at an international level. As my research area of severe airway inflammation effects on fear extinction behaviors crosses multiple organ systems, this meeting gave me unique access to feedback from experts in body-brain signaling.  What I am especially grateful for was the opportunity to have dinner with other early career researchers studying the lung-brain axis and make life-long connections. As a fun bonus, I was able to visit New Orleans for the first time ever and experience its rich culture!" - Liz Mancz, P&P PhD student and 2026 Pharmacology PDE Fund recipient.

The Pharmacology Professional Development Endowment Fund (S400043) benefits students pursuing MS or PhD degrees in the Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neurobiology department, as well as our outstanding educational faculty and staff. Awards from this fund introduce the recipients to research opportunities far beyond our local program. This fund supports travel, registration, and housing related to presentation of research discoveries, educational programs, and acquisition of new technical skills for MS and PhD students doing pharmacological research.

A faculty committee accepts applications for the Pharmacology Professional Development Fund award in February for Spring meetings and in August for Fall Meetings. Contact Dr. Yvonne Ulrich-Lai for more information.

P&P Student Travel Award Policy

Donations will be matched! An anonymous donor has given us an opportunity to make the fund self-sustaining in perpetuity. For this to happen, we need donations totaling $25,000, which will be matched by the anonymous benefactor. We have a rare opportunity to transform this fund into a stable, long-term source of benefit. Please consider making a gift to support this important endeavor. To do so, please click on the 'Donate' button below.

Donate to the Pharmacology Professional Development Endowment Fund

Gifts can also be made with checks payable to the ‘Pharmacology Professional Development Endowment Fund S400043’ and sent to Attn: Gage Woolley, UC Foundation, PO Box 19970, Cincinnati, OH 45219. If you have questions about making a pledge, please contact Gage Woolley at woollegb@foundation.uc.edu or 937-658-1305.

Pharmacology Professional Development Awardees

• Liz Mancz (2026)
• Griffin Shaffer (2026)
• Gautam Vijaywargi (2025) 
• Olukunle Akinborewa (2025)
• Liz Mancz (2024)
• Imma Osuji (2024)
• Felicia Gooden (2024)
• Abdulaziz Alshwimi (2024)
• Drew Howard (2023)