Administrative Accomplishments

Dr. Khasawneh is currently serving as Head of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, at the Rangel School of Pharmacy, Texas A&M University (since 2020). Prior to that, he was the Founding Chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso’s School of Pharmacy (2016-2020). He most recently served as Chair of the Cardiovascular Pharmacology Division (2020-2022) and had previously (2014-2016) served as Secretary/Treasurer. He also served as Chair of the Biological Sciences Section of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (2015-2016), and Chair of the Academic Senate at Western University (2013-2015). He is also currently serving as Academic Editor for Frontiers and is a permanent member of the NIH’s Hemostasis, Thrombosis and Blood Transfusion (HTBT) study section. Dr. Khasawneh previously served as Chair of the Veterans Affairs HEMA study section (2017-2019). 

Research Areas

Dr. Khasawneh’s research program is focused on the study of thrombosis and platelet biology. The primary goal is to delineate signaling pathways involved in platelet activation and to investigate their role in the pathogenesis of thrombotic diseases. Another area of focus is centered on characterization of the mechanistic impact of novel tobacco exposures and products on platelet function and occlusive disorders. They employ a host of molecular, biochemical and pharmacological approaches, as well as thrombosis and tobacco exposure models in their studies. Their ultimate goal is to identify novel therapeutic agents and/or targets for the management of thromboembolic disorders, such as heart attacks and stroke, as well as underscore the negative health impact novel tobacco products have on human health. His research program is currently funded by an R01 from the NIH’s NHLBI, as well as an R21 from the NIEHS.

ASPET Activities

• Chair of Cardiovascular Pharmacology Division, 2020-2022
• Secretary/Treasurer of Cardiovascular Pharmacology Division, 2014-2016
• Member, ASPET Partnership Committee, 2018- present
• Member of the Cardiovascular Pharmacology Division Executive Committee, 2010-present
• Chair of Cardiovascular Pharmacology Division’s Trainee Showcase Symposium Committee, 2010-2011
• Chair of Cardiovascular Pharmacology Division’s programming committee, 2014-2016
• Member, Competition Committee of Division of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, 2009-present
• Member of ASPET programming committee, 2014-2016
• Abstract Reviewer, American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET) programming committee, 2014- present
• Member of ASPET’s nominating committee, 2014 and 2016
• Reviewer for Journal of Molecular Pharmacology
• Co-Chair, Junior Scientists’ Competition, Cardiovascular Pharmacology Division, Experimental Biology Meeting, San Diego, CA (April 5-9, 2008)
• Judge, ASPET Student/Postdoctoral Best Abstract Competition, 2012- present
• Primary division affiliation is with Cardiovascular Pharmacology Division, 2006-present

Other Society Memberships/Activities 

• Member, The Scientific Research Society, Sigma Xi, 2005-present
• Member, The American Heart Association, 2005-present
• Member, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, 2009-present
• Member, The American Society of Hematology, 2009-present
• Chair, Academic Senate, Western University of Health Sciences, 2013 – 2015
• Co-Chair, Thrombosis Basic 1 Peer Review Committee, The American Heart Association, 2015-2016
• Member, Innovative Research Grant (IRG) Vascular Regulation & Disease 2 Peer Review Committee, The American Heart Association, 2012-2016
• Permanent member of the Hemostasis, Thrombosis and Blood Transfusion (HTBT) study section, 2022 – present
• Chair of the Veterans Affairs HEMA study section, 2017-2019; Member, 2015-present

Personal Statement

I am honored and humbled to be nominated for ASPET’s Secretary/Treasurer. I believe that my service and involvement with ASPET since 2006, both at the division (e.g., secretary treasurer of the cardiovascular pharmacology division) and national levels (e.g., member of Partnership Committee), and the experiences I have had throughout my career have not only given me a keen understanding of ASPET’s operations, budgeting process and strategic plan, but also prepared me well to take on this challenge. The unprecedented circumstances we continue to deal with due to a pandemic of global proportions, the decline in Federal funding, and the reimagining of our annual meeting, have also provided us with new challenges we must address and unique opportunities we must seize. Some of my priorities (derived from strategic Goal F; Strengthening ASPET) would be to work collaboratively with the ASPET Chief Financial Officer and Executive Officer, Council, Finance Committee, and Investment Subcommittee to assure good stewardship of ASPET’s assets, and to explore and identify new avenues of income (e.g., expanding/retaining our membership, engage our members for reimagining the Big Ideas initiative, international chapters, journal structure, amongst others), which will collectively support the fiscal health and stability of ASPET. I also plan to work with Council and engage members in working towards common goals, investing in new and innovative ideas, and implementing projects that align with our shared mission as well as serve our members, especially our junior scientists and trainees (e.g., bridge funding). I welcome the opportunity to serve as ASPET’s Secretary/Treasurer and to work together with our stakeholders to ensure that we continue to meet our financial obligations, and to achieve the ASPET mission of becoming the professional home for entities working to advance the field of pharmacology.