Building a foundation for precision medicine.
The Department of Pharmacology is dedicated to education and cutting-edge basic science research, focusing on understanding the mechanisms of drug action and developing strategies for drug discovery.
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Featured News
Investigating the Molecular Basis of Parkinson’s Disease
Loukia Parisiadou, PhD, and her team — including Northwestern scientists Daniel Arango, PhD, assistant professor of Pharmacology, and Chuyu Chen, PhD, postdoctoral fellow — were selected for a multi-year grant to join the Collaborative Research Network, a program of Aligning Science Across Parkinson's. Read about the project.
Silinsky Student-Led Symposium Showcases Innovation in Scientific Visualization
The annual Eugene M. Silinsky Student-Led Symposium was held on Monday, April 6, honoring the legacy of Eugene Silinsky, PhD, former chair of the department (previously Molecular Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry) and his commitment to teaching and mentorship.
Pharmacology Faculty Recognized for Prestigious Honors
Faculty members were recognized for their achievements at a recent Northwestern faculty awards ceremony. Pictured (left to right) are Murali Prakriya, PhD, recognized for his election as a Fellow of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics; Jennifer Kearney, PhD, for receiving the Jacob Javits Neuroscience Award from NIH/NINDS; interim president Henry Bienen; and Richard Smith, PhD, for receiving the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award.
A Mother’s Mission Powers Precision Medicine for Genetic Disorders
Research led by Alfred George, Jr., MD, and Jennifer Kearney, PhD, is advancing precision medicine approaches for KCNH1-related disorders, from defining how disease-causing variants alter potassium channel function to developing and testing targeted therapies. Featured in The Philanthropist, March 2026 Issue
Advancing Epilepsy Research Through Genetic Insights
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders affecting nearly one percent of people worldwide. The Department of Pharmacology at Feinberg is leading research to understand the genetic causes of childhood-onset epilepsy and to investigate what is happening perinatally to brain development in these cases. Featured in Breakthroughs newsletter, March 2026 Issue
New Study Identifies Key Microglial Channel Driving Neuroinflammation and Depressive‑Like Behaviors
A new study from the Prakriya Lab identifies Orai1 calcium channels as key regulators of microglia‑driven neuroinflammation. Inhibiting Orai1 reduced hippocampal inflammation and protected against inflammation‑induced depressive‑like behaviors, according to findings published in Science Signaling. Read the study.
New Core to Visualize the Molecular Basis of Human Disease
The Feinberg Advanced Cryo Electron-Microscopy and Tomography (FACET) will provide access to the Glacios-2 Cryo-Transmission Electron Microscope, ancillary equipment for grid preparation and expertise as a shared resource to enhance research throughout the university.
Perera Elected as President of PGRN
Minoli Perera, PharmD, PhD, associate professor of Pharmacology, was elected president of the Pharmacogenomics Global Research Network (PGRN) and will serve in the role from 2026-2027. During her term, Northwestern University will host the PGRN Annual Meeting on Sept. 26–27, 2026, on the Chicago campus.
Prakriya Named 2025 ASPET Fellow
Murali Prakriya, PhD, the Magerstadt Professor of Pharmacology and professor of Medicine (Allergy and Immunology), has been named a 2025 Fellow of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. Selected as one of just 17 honorees nationwide, Prakriya is recognized for his outstanding contributions to advancing pharmacology through scientific achievement, mentorship and service to the field.
Investiture of Katherine Borden, PhD
Seventeen Feinberg faculty members who were recently appointed to endowed professorships were celebrated during a group investiture ceremony on Oct. 3, 2025. Among the distinguished honorees was Katherine Borden, PhD, who was invested as the Hospira Foundation Professor of Translational Cancer Biology.
Pharmacology Faculty Member and Alumna Honored During 2025 Driskill Day Celebration
At the 2025 Driskill Day celebration, Megan Roy-Puckelwartz, PhD, assistant professor of Pharmacology, was recognized with the Dean's Teaching Award. Emma Schuster, '23 PhD, a recent graduate who conducted her doctoral research in the Huiping Liu Lab at Northwestern, was also honored with the Driskill Research Award. Congratulations to both on these well-deserved honors.
Feinberg Faculty and Trainees Share Advances in Protein Synthesis at International Gordon Research Conference
Members of the Department of Pharmacology recently led and participated in the Translation Machinery in Health and Disease Gordon Research Conference (GRC), a premier five-day international conference, which explored cutting-edge discoveries in protein synthesis, from fundamental molecular mechanisms to the impact of their dysregulation across a spectrum of diseases and areas.
Basic Science Administration
Our department is supported by the Basic Science Administration group. The team provides assistance related to research and financial administration, professional affairs, facilities and communications.
Physician-Scientist Training & Resources
We offer a wide range of resources, mentorship opportunities and training to help our residents and fellows excel as physician-scientists. Explore all of the resources and hear from housestaff who are making research a major part of their career development plans.
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