Kathryn A. Cunningham, PhD - University of Texas Medical Branch

ASPET is dedicated to sustaining the life-changing impacts of science and the need for the U.S. to remain the preeminent nation for biomedical research, core to all that ASPET values. Akin to the global COVID-19 pandemic, our scientific and academic lives are threatened, providing the impetus to (re)create the future. ASPET is an innovation incubator to “advance the science of drugs and therapeutics to accelerate the discovery of cures for disease.” As a past member of the ASPET Council, I can attest to the strong leadership of the ASPET Council and staff in oversight of society function, and the commitment to assure that ASPET survives and thrives. We have a robust strategic plan in place to proactively examine and reimagine our strategies, processes, and budgets to assure ASPET stability. My leadership in translational research, administration and budget management attest that I have the experience and necessary skillset to work effectively within ASPET to assure the strong scientific focus and fiscal health of ASPET. I pledge to bring creativity, problem-solving skills and realism to the position of President. My success is based in efficacy to organize relevant teams and their efforts, to set a strong example, to delegate authority as appropriate, and to work within ASPET to encourage feedback and course correction as necessary. This next phase requires proactive leadership to foster the collaborative research ecosystem and implement strategies that align with the ASPET mission to advance scientific discovery and public health. We will build on the strong ASPET foundation established over 117 years to develop new opportunities for growth, impact, and national/international recognition.

As ASPET pharmacologists, we offer our scientific and educational expertise to advance biological sciences and accelerate the discovery of cures, and we are making progress. As a scientist focused on addiction therapeutics, my colleagues and I target reducing the stigma against patients, families, providers, and scientists that hampers access to evidence-based treatments for mental health challenges. Leading the CAST initiative to create the first SUD clinic in our area required an unprecedented partnership network and philanthropic support with the goal that patients receive immediate, evidence-based treatment and ongoing care in a safe community-based location. Our patients are succeeding in recovering their lives, families and careers, and our success has spawned two SUD clinics for insured inpatients. To date, we have trained 221 healthcare providers and created a sustainable community-based model to translate our knowledge to date in our community. These experiences demonstrate my commitment to our field of pharmacological sciences and the importance of the need for ASPET in assure service to our faculty, mentees and communities of service who are dependent upon us in the current climate.

Xinxin Ding, PhD - University of Arizona 

ASPET has been my professional home since 1997. Over the years, I have served ASPET with dedication and passion in many roles. I have held positions as a Councilor, Secretary/Treasurer, and Chair at the division level, contributed extensively to various society-wide committees, and played a pivotal role as the Editor-in-Chief for the ASPET journal Drug Metabolism and Disposition (DMD). Additionally, my term as Secretary/Treasurer of the ASPET Council and current role as Chair of the 2026 ASPET meeting organizing committee further underscore my commitment and involvement. These experiences have been instrumental in my development as a researcher, educator, mentor, and leader, and they reinforce my profound obligation to contribute my ideas, expertise, and leadership to ASPET’s continuing success. 

My leadership journey includes roles such as department head, journal editor, and director of an NIH-funded research center. As an ASPET Council member for the past three years, I have engaged in strategic planning, financial oversight, and the journals' task force, among other tasks, and I contributed to decision-making across ASPET's operations. My collaborative leadership style, which values shared governance, consensus-building, and transparent communication, has been honed through these roles and positions me well for the responsibilities of ASPET President. 

I am fully aligned with the vision and mission articulated in the current ASPET strategic plan, which I had a hand in crafting. I am committed to making the ASPET vision for the future a reality. As President, I am committed to advancing ASPET’s strategic goals, ensuring our society remains the professional home of, and leading voice and authoritative resource in, pharmacology. I will continue to do my best to champion all our organizational values, including scientific excellence, accountability, accessibility, and professional growth, and provide strong support to all our members during these challenging times.  

Ensuring continued success of ASPET’s journals is essential for maintaining our financial health and achieving our strategic goals. Following the recent, successful transition to the new publication partnership and platform, much more remains to be done, including efforts to increase submission, publication content, and impact of all our journals. My experience with DMD, where I led successful efforts to increase its impact and ranking, will be invaluable in this endeavor. Additionally, as ASPET reimagines its annual meeting experience, a transformation vital to improving engagement of our members and advancing our strategic goals, my background in organizing international scientific meetings will be a significant asset.  

Serving ASPET in various capacities has been a genuinely rewarding experience, particularly because of the opportunity it offered me to support the career development of fellow ASPET members — an aspect I am passionate about and proud of. I am eager for the opportunity to lead the ASPET leadership team and to continue fostering our collective growth and enduring success. 

Alan Smrcka, PhD - University of Michigan

My excitement and enthusiasm for the field of Pharmacology developed after a dramatic transition from my studies in plant biochemistry during my PhD, where I studied photosynthesis, to my postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Paul Sternweis in the Department of Pharmacology at UT Southwestern, one of the premier pharmacology departments in the world. At the time in the early 1990’s the department was Chaired by Dr. Alfred Gilman and as such was a hotbed of GPCR and G protein research. In this environment with cutting edge work being done and fantastic colleagues, it was almost impossible not to get excited about Pharmacology! 

I obtained my first independent position in 1994 in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Rochester where I encountered another fantastic group of colleagues but getting started as an assistant Professor was tough. One of the critical decisions I made at this time was to become a member of ASPET and to regularly (every year!) attend the annual ASPET meeting. This was routinely held as part of a very large FASEB meeting, but the society/division sponsored programming and social events brought people together such that it had much of the taste of a more intimate meeting. At these meetings I was exposed to exciting new science and developed relationships with scientists that have helped propel my career and become a successful scientist. Many of these relationships endure to this day. Now that I am an established scientist at the University of Michigan, I am committed to doing the same for other up and coming scientists, with additional goals of exciting young people about pharmacology, and increasing broad engagement with our society. I believe that our annual meetings that bring us together and encourage engagement with the discipline are amongst the most important functions of our society.

I am an active Pharmacologist with extensive experience and understanding of the workings and directions of ASPET who is committed to the continued success of the society. As someone who has worked in the field of pharmacology for 30 years, I have a broad knowledge of the field, and a keen sense of emerging scientific areas where pharmacologists can be leaders. My roles in various leadership positions, at the division and society levels of ASPET and elsewhere, have taught me that leadership is not necessarily about imparting one’s own vision, but rather is about listening to others and bringing ideas together to define a collective vision. I understand the challenges of maintaining a vibrant and forward-looking society that seeks to broaden its membership, while at the same time maintaining its appeal to its core constituencies. As ASPET president I would work with the ASPET Council to lead the society to increase engagement with current membership, to expand the membership of the society, to encourage more young scientists to pursue the pharmacology path, to continue to build on and adapt the ASPET strategic plan as new challenges emerge, and to work to increase the visibility of ASPET Journals. In short, I believe that I have the leadership skills, experience with ASPET, and breadth of scientific background to be a successful and productive ASPET president. 

Ross Corriden, PhD - RAPT Therapeutics

I have been an active member of ASPET throughout my career and have benefited greatly from the opportunities this society provides. My professional path, which has included roles in academia, biotechnology, and large pharmaceutical companies, has always been centered on advancing the science of drugs and therapeutics, reflecting the core mission of ASPET. 

Within ASPET, I have had the privilege of serving in a variety of leadership roles. Over the past decade, my involvement in the Translational and Clinical Pharmacology Division (as Communications Officer, Secretary-Treasurer, and Chair) has given me hands-on experience in financial management, program development, and divisional operations. I have also served on the Executive Board of the Division for Drug Discovery and Development, as well as on the Program, Nominating, and Partnerships Committees. These experiences have provided me with a clear view of ASPET’s structure, governance, and strategic priorities. 

In my current role as Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Pharmacology Research & Perspectives, a joint open-access journal with the British Pharmacological Society, I have gained valuable insight into the publishing landscape and the financial considerations that support scientific societies. My professional experience in industry has further strengthened my skills in project management, budgeting, and team leadership—competencies directly relevant to the responsibilities of Secretary-Treasurer. 

If elected, I will focus on maintaining ASPET’s financial strength while continuing to increase the value it provides to members. I will support efforts to expand membership, particularly among early-career pharmacologists and industry scientists, while developing new educational and professional growth opportunities. One area of promise is the creation of short courses in drug discovery and development. These could serve as both a valuable training resource for members and a means of connecting ASPET’s scientific expertise to real-world applications. Strengthening connections between academia and industry could also open new opportunities for research collaboration, funding, and translational partnerships that benefit academic members while advancing ASPET’s mission. 

I am committed to serving ASPET with transparency, accountability, and enthusiasm, and to helping ensure the society continues to thrive as a leading global community for pharmacologists at all stages of their careers. 

Allyn Howlett, PhD - Wake Forest University 

Dr. Howlett earned her PhD in Pharmacology at Rutgers Medical School, followed by postdoc training at the University of Virginia with A.G. Gilman. She joined Saint Louis University, Pharmacology Dept, then turned to developing a Neuroscience of Drug Abuse Research Program at North Carolina Central University. She then relocated to Wake Forest University School of Medicine Physiology and Pharmacology Dept where she directed the Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology PhD program before becoming Asst. Dean of the Graduate School and Director of the Office of Postdoctoral Education. Her research focus is cellular signaling mechanisms of cannabinoid receptors. She was Co-chair of the IUPHAR Nomenclature Committee for Cannabinoid Receptors and currently serves as founding Associate Editor of “Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research”. 

Dr. Howlett has been active in ASPET since 1981 and served as a member of the executive committee of the Neuropharmacology Division. As chair of Molecular Pharmacology Division during the 2020 COVID cancellation, Dr. Howlett worked with ASPET to deliver our division’s Competitions and Awards Programs as virtual Zoom events. This experience explored ASPET’s ability to utilize virtual meeting options beyond in-person meetings, which ASPET now offers routinely. 

Events of the last few years make us think about the future of pharmacology in America and how we can work to reposition our discipline to be considered a necessity for modern therapeutics. The demise of pharmacology departments at many medical schools opens opportunities to expand ASPET’s membership base to draw from “precision medicine” programs, allied health practitioners and researchers, and non-academic foundations, policy think-tanks, public media/science authors, and other outward-facing professions to highlight pharmacologists “beyond the bench”. The current perception of biomedical research as an unnecessary use of federal dollars invites us to consider how ASPET needs to promote science to the public. ASPET Divisions could re-state their mission and successes in lay terms to educate our non-scientist communities about how we have contributed to their wellbeing and will continue to do so with novel treatment strategies. Communicating our values and our stories for public consumption should be our priority.  

Saurabh Agarwal, PhD - St. John's University

I am honored to submit my candidacy for the ASPET Council. ASPET has been integral to my professional journey, providing a vibrant scientific home, transformative mentorship, and platforms for collaboration and leadership that have shaped my career. I now seek to give back to the society that has supported my growth as a translational pharmacologist, educator, and mentor, and to help advance its mission for the benefit of the global pharmacology community. As an NIH-, NSF-, philanthropy-, and industry-funded cancer pharmacologist, I lead a research program developing targeted therapies for pediatric cancers, bridging fundamental discovery with translational application. In academic leadership roles in graduate education and research, I have fostered equitable, inclusive, and collaborative environments while mentoring a diverse group of trainees and supporting their professional growth.

My long-standing commitment to ASPET’s mission is reflected in my service on the Mentoring and Career Development Committee, the Division for Cancer Pharmacology Executive Committee, the Organizing Committees for the 2025 and 2026 Annual Meetings, and in founding NYSPET, ASPET’s New York regional chapter, which fosters scientific exchange, professional development, and community building within the pharmacology field. As NYSPET’s founder, I have collaborated with colleagues to launch a new student chapter, host regional scientific and career development events, and engage members from academia and industry. These efforts have demonstrated the vital role regional chapters play in advancing ASPET’s mission and expanding its reach, strengthening member connections, and creating sustained engagement beyond the annual meeting. 

If elected to the Council, I will champion initiatives that broaden mentorship and career development resources for scientists at all career stages, with a focus on building inclusive pathways for those from diverse backgrounds. I will also work to integrate emerging frontiers such as AI-powered pharmacology, biotechnological advances, experimental therapeutics, and advanced translational science into ASPET’s programming, while fostering stronger partnerships across academia, industry, and global collaborators. ASPET is at an exciting inflection point, and I would be honored to bring my experience, vision, and dedication to the Council, working with members to ensure that ASPET leads to the next era of discovery, innovation, and impact in pharmacological science. 

Ashim Malhotra, PhD - California Northstate University 

Reporting directly to the university president, I am the Assistant Vice President of California Northstate University (CNU).  This role, equivalent to a Vice President/Provost elsewhere, is a senior executive leadership position. Additionally, I have several decades of executive leadership experience in national and international professional organizations including ASPET. 

Located in northern California with 6 professional colleges of Medicine, Dental Medicine, Pharmacy, Psychology, Nursing, and Graduate Studies, with a 100-acre footprint, CNU is building a $1 Billion dollar teaching hospital and is located across 3 city campuses. As AVP, I oversee 10 portfolios. At the CNU College of Pharmacy, I have retained positions as the Assistant Dean of Accreditation, University Distinguished Teacher, and professor of pharmacology. 

I am also the dual university director of Interprofessional Education and the university-serving “Institute of Teaching and Learning Excellence,” which I established and have led since 2018. In this position, I developed the Institute’s strategic plan, delivered and implemented more than 60 faculty development opportunities, established seed grant programs for the scholarship of teaching and learning, and established several faculty learning communities in online and remote teaching, assessment best practices, pedagogy, educational theory, and interprofessional education. 

Through these experiences, I possess the deep knowledge, skills, and the proven ability to oversee complex, multifaceted, high-risk/high-return projects in the academic sector. 

Regarding national professional organizations, in addition to leadership in ASPET, I am a national leader in pharmacy education through recognized leadership in the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP). I am the current Chair of the AACP Global Education SIG, the 2024 leader of AACP’s international delegation to Cuba, and the humble award recipient of several AACP awards (please see my CV). 

Moreover, I am an accreditor for both institutional (WSCUC) and programmatic accreditations (ACPE) and serve on national teams that accredit universities, and US- and international colleges of pharmacy, with proven expertise in academic regulatory compliance. 

Through research, publications, invited lectures, service opportunities, and national and international contributions, I am a recognized leader in DEI. The impact of my work in the DEI space has been in faculty and student development programs and in patient care across fields such as LGBTQIA+ advocacy, gender- and international status parity, professional identity formation, recruitment of women, Black, and Latinx individuals to STEM and the health care professions, and the formation of several national and international partnerships and MOUs to enhance the recruitment and retention of underserved populations to healthcare careers.

Taken together, the decades of my commitment and demonstrable contributions evince a broad executive understanding of research, scholarship, faculty citizenship and academic structure and organization. 

If elected to the Council position, to my knowledge, I will be the first person of color in academic senior executive leadership (University VP) to ever have served on the ASPET Council. I envision ASPET's bright future through a commitment to inclusive leadership and excellence. I will facilitate ASPET programs in my areas of academic expertise including pharmacology education, inclusive leadership, and international outreach, especially in Africa and Asia.  

Aiming Yu, PhD - University of California, Davis

Dr. Yu is highly enthusiastic about serving the ASPET as a Councilor. He will bring in his ideas, diligence, and experience to ensure the continued success of ASPET.

In addition to his long-track record of dedication and outstanding services to ASPET, Dr. Yu's qualifications for serving as a Councilor include: 1) his credentials as a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine at University of California, Davis (UC Davis), School of Medicine, as well as Director of the PK/PD Core Facility in the school and Director of the Molecular Pharmacological and Chemical Biology Shared Resources at the NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center at UC Davis; 2) his long-standing research interests and strong record of achievements in the fields of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, with 170+ publications and 7 granted patents; 3) his active role in teaching and mentoring the next generation of pharmacologists, innovators, and educators, with 20+ graduate students and 20+ postdoctoral fellows, visiting scientists, or junior faculty trainees in the areas of DM/PK/PD, anticancer pharmacology and therapeutics; 4) his contributions to the pharmacology profession as guess editors, associate editors or editorial board members for several journals in pharmacology-related fields; and 5) his professional experience as a standing member of the NIH Xenobiotic and Nutrient Disposition and Action (XNDA) Study Section (2016-2020) and the organizer of major scientific conferences in Pharmacology fields as well as multiple symposium sessions at annual EB/ASPET meetings. 

April Risinger, PhD - University of Texas San Antonio

As a member of the ASPET Division of Cancer Pharmacology Executive Committee since 2023 and current secretary/treasurer, I have seen firsthand the responsibilities and opportunities of the Chair. My goals in this position would be to continue to build the division by recruiting members to the Executive Committee and encouraging involvement of faculty, trainees, and industry representatives in the Division. If elected, I would work closely with the current Chair to ensure a transfer of knowledge and expertise and prioritize the continuation and further enhancement of the events and awards that benefit ASPET members with a focus on cancer pharmacology. 


 

Saurabh Agarwal, PhD - St. John's University 

ASPET has been instrumental in shaping my professional identity and scientific community. My goal is to serve the Division for Cancer Pharmacology in a way that strengthens that community for others, by expanding engagement, amplifying scientific visibility, and elevating opportunities for trainees and early-career investigators. In alignment with ASPET’s strategic plan, I aim to support three core pillars: advancing pharmacology as a discipline, enriching member experience, and broadening ASPET’s impact and reach. If elected, I will focus on initiatives that enhance communication, connectivity, and collaboration.

As the current Communications Officer, I have seen how timely, transparent communication can transform participation. I plan to expand divisional communication channels to highlight member accomplishments, promote collaborative opportunities, and increase awareness of funding, awards, and leadership opportunities within the division. I will continue to develop member-spotlight initiatives that elevate diverse voices and expand mentorship connections. I am committed to advancing ASPET’s strategic goal of supporting scientific innovation and interdisciplinary research. Cancer pharmacology is rapidly evolving, and I will advocate for showcasing high-impact emerging areas- such as drug discovery, epigenetics, cancer stem cell targeting, AI-enabled pharmacology, and translational therapeutics through symposium proposals, invited talks, and collaborative sessions with other ASPET divisions and external partners. Finally, I will champion mentorship, trainee engagement, and inclusion.

ASPET thrives when every member, from undergraduates to senior scientists, feels seen and valued. I plan to expand trainee-facing activities, including structured networking events, trainee–faculty pairings, and improved visibility of trainee achievements throughout the year, not just during the annual meeting. I am deeply committed to ASPET and to serving with transparency, accountability, and enthusiasm. It would be an honor to continue supporting the division’s growth and to help advance ASPET’s mission to shape the future of pharmacology.   

Dawn Duval, PhD - Colorado State University

I have been serving on the Cancer Pharmacology Division Executive Committee since 2021. During this time, I have had an opportunity to become familiar with the operations and strategic plans of both ASPET and the division. One of the primary initiatives is to increase membership. Since I attended my first ASPET meeting as a graduate student, I am especially eager to see us engage with student members. Early interactions with students will help them to identify ASPET as a professional society that prioritizes their professional development, provides a stable platform for the dissemination of high-quality research, and helps to communicate the value of pharmacology to the public. As secretary/treasurer, I will help to strategize with the ASPET budget committee to commit funding to those areas that have the greatest impact on building an engaged, interconnected pharmacology community. 
 

Thota Ganesh, PhD - Emory University

I have a strong background in medicinal chemistry, drug discovery, and pharmacology. As the Chair of the Division of Drug Discovery and Development, I will serve the division as a member of the executive committee and contribute to the goals of the division and of ASPET. In alignment with the ASPET mission, I work towards increasing division membership and particularly members participation through webinars, collaborative symposia, workshops with other ASPET divisions, and foster speakers across academia, pharmaceutical industry, government, and regulatory agencies. In addition, I will collaborate with the other divisions and societies to identify avenues that may result in industry-academia partnerships. I will liaise between the division EC and ASPET budget committee to review budgets and strategically support funding needs of the division like DDD, early career awards, and networking events. I will participate in mentoring and networking events of the division, all of which have been a great resource to our division trainees and graduate students. 

 

Leslie Dickmann, PhD, MPH - University of Wisconsin-Madison

As the secretary/treasurer, I will serve the DDD Executive Committee by performing various operating procedures including managing the committee’s finances, ensuring financial compliance with ASPET guidelines, and advising on financial matters to support divisional needs. I will also maintain divisional meeting minutes, facilitate communication, and ensure that the committee’s governance functions run smoothly. In addition, I hope to increase interaction with other divisions via joint symposia, webinars, and career development activities by engaging colleagues throughout the ASPET network. Through outreach with my professional network, I will also work to increase the number of active DDD participants from industry and encourage both undergraduate and graduate students to join ASPET and the DDD division. 


 

John Clarke, PhD - Washington State University

As the DMDD Chair-Elect, I will uphold ASPETs values by serving the society and its members through leadership in programming, communication, and professional growth. DMDD already has a history of providing excellent programming through the Focus on Pharmacology series and endorsing excellent sessions at the annual meeting. I will help the DMDD executive committee remain strong in these areas and seek to expand participation and coverage. Working with the DMDD communications team, I will encourage collaborative efforts between ASPET divisions to increase society benefits to ASPET members. Examples of these benefits include mentoring and networking opportunities that span divisions and open more doors for mentors and mentees. The awards and honors administered by DMDD are another area of strength. I will support the executive committee as they administer these awards, and I will seek to maintain or improve the financial stability of the division and its awards.  

 

Haojie Zhu, PhD - University of Michigan

Being an active member of DMDD has significantly advanced my career. As Chair, I will work diligently to ensure that all DMDD members can fully benefit from participating in Division activities. Specifically, I will explore various strategies to enhance member engagement, such as organizing webinars and social events both during and outside ASPET meetings. Additionally, I will collaborate with other DMDD members, especially communication officers, to strengthen our online presence by effectively managing the Division's social media platforms, including Facebook, X, and Instagram. These efforts will not only increase participation among existing members but also help attract new members. Furthermore, I plan to leverage the interdisciplinary nature of my research to foster collaborations between DMDD and other ASPET divisions.     

Simone Brixius-Anderko, PhD - University of Pittsburgh

I am extremely proud to be an ASPET member, since this community has been incredibly welcoming when I transitioned to the US for a postdoc position. The informal mentoring and encouragement I have received as well as the fantastic science have greatly contributed to my scientific and personal growth. I am eager to give back to the community and have served on the ASPET DMD executive board as a Communications Officer since 2023. Thus, I would be thrilled to continue serving on the DMD executive board as Secretary/Treasurer.

Aligning with the ASPET Strategic Plan, I will continue to spearhead and organize professional development and networking opportunities for the next generation of pharmacologists as I have done as communications officer. The recruitment and retention of new members with a focus on our trainees are my priority, including opportunities to sharpen skills in science communication. The diversification of scientific areas within ASPET and the attraction of ASPET members is a topic close to my heart. I will continue to work with DMD executive committee members and with ASPET to achieve these goals. This also includes fundraising strategies for early career and travel awards, especially focused on increasing the involvement of international scientists. 
  

D. Fernando Estrada, PhD - University at Buffalo

As Secretary/Treasurer-Elect, I will work closely with outgoing leadership to ensure a seamless transition. As Secretary/Treasurer, I will work with division and ASPET leadership to promote the fiduciary interests of the division. This includes finding ways to i) grow membership in the DMDD, and equally as importantly, ii) retain members who have recently joined. I will also work to ensure that the division is fiscally responsible with available resources and strive to make fundraising adequate for the division to achieve its goals. This includes focusing budgetary resources on trainees as the future of the organization.      

Neil Grimsey, PhD - University of Georgia

If elected Chair of the Division of Molecular Pharmacology, I will champion initiatives that elevate the scientific, professional, and community experience of our members. My vision is rooted in fostering dynamic programming at the annual ASPET meeting, supporting symposia, speaker lineups, and networking events that reflect the cutting-edge science and broad spectrum of voices shaping our field. I will advocate for year-round engagement through virtual workshops, webinars, and collaborative opportunities that extend the reach and relevance of our Division beyond the annual meeting.

A core priority will be the intentional inclusion of early-career scientists, undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs, and junior faculty, through mentorship, visibility in programming, and, where possible, access to resources that support their growth.

I will also work closely with the ASPET leadership to ensure strategic and responsible allocation of Division funds, maximizing the impact of our sponsored events and initiatives. With a commitment to transparency, collaboration, and scientific excellence, I pledge to advance the goals of the Division and Society and to serve our members with integrity and enthusiasm. 

Adriano Marchese, PhD - Medical College of Wisconsin

If elected, my priorities will focus on enriching the experience of members within the Division of Molecular Pharmacology. I aim to achieve this through targeted sessions at the annual ASPET meeting, as well as supporting science dissemination and collaborative initiatives sponsored by the Division throughout the year. These efforts will include support for relevant meetings and conferences of interest to our members, as well as virtual activities such as workshops and webinars. A key priority will be fostering engagement of early-career scientists - those still in training or in the early stages of research independence. These goals will guide the selection of proposed speakers, awards, and symposia at the annual ASPET meeting, and will also shape related networking and social events in which I intend to be actively involved. Above all, I am committed to advancing the goals of both the Division and the Society through thoughtful and inclusive leadership.  
 

Ajith Karunarathne, PhD - Saint Louis University

As secretary-treasurer for the Division of Molecular Pharmacology at ASPET and a member of the executive committee, I am committed to working diligently to advance our division and ASPET as a whole. My goal is to promote research in drug and therapeutics development, as well as to enhance science education and advocacy, ultimately contributing to a healthier world. With my background in cell signaling and molecular pharmacology, combined with a strong commitment to scientific outreach, I am well-equipped to support our division in achieving its objectives. For example, I will take the lead in preparing symposium proposals in the fall, building on previous successes to attract a diverse audience. I also aim to create impactful presentations that celebrate our award winners and inspire others in the field.

Recognizing that our members are our most valuable asset, I will collaborate with the Executive Committee to propose relevant symposia and workshops that align with the interests of both industry and academia, thereby growing our membership. I also plan to work closely with the executive committee and the society's budget committee to ensure transparent budget reviews and advocate for increased funding for early career awards. I will also coordinate events, such as workshops, discussions, and mini-competitions, aimed at early-career scientists, including undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral researchers. Together with the Chair, I will help to organize career-oriented discussions that connect the academic community with industry representatives, fostering collaboration and creating a dynamic career marketplace. Additionally, I am eager to facilitate and organize networking events that strengthen professional relationships among our members from various sectors.  

Lauren Slosky, PhD - University of Minnesota Medical School

If elected, my priority would be to collaboratively manage the Division of Molecular Pharmacology’s financial resources in a manner that enhances the experience of its members and promotes Division membership growth. I am enthusiastic about sponsoring webinars and symposia at the ASPET Annual Meeting that showcase the work of our members as they integrate biochemistry, biophysics, genetics, and molecular biology to uncover mechanisms of drug action. I am especially eager to support programs that encourage the engagement of trainees and early career scientists with ASPET and the Division through awards, speaking opportunities, professional development, and resources to attend the ASPET Annual Meeting.

In this particularly difficult time to be a scientist and obtain funding, I hope that we will be able to help support our trainees and most vulnerable members, providing opportunities to continue to engage with our community, both virtually and in person. Recognizing the power of social media to highlight the science of our membership, grow our numbers, and promote academic-industry collaborations, I hope to support the Division in maintaining active accounts on networking sites. In summary, I am enthusiastic about giving back to a Society that has given me so much and committed to managing our resources in a manner that advances ASPET’s and the Division’s goals.       

Michael Beckstead, PhD - University of Oklahoma Health

Beginning with the COVID pandemic, science has taken a more prominent role in public discourse. We can unfortunately no longer take for granted broad public support for basic science and the evidence-based development of new therapeutics. As most scientists have little experience in advocacy and public relations, it is more important now than ever to have a strong professional society home that is not afraid to use its voice in the public arena and maintains steady leadership through shifting winds. Recent and unprecedented challenges to opportunity, diversity, and our ability to maintain an international research community have already tested our resolve. As the landscape begins to incorporate policy changes from NIH such as multi-year awards and F&A restructuring, we must not lose sight that trainees need to be our central focus, or we risk losing an entire generation of our future scientific leaders.

As Chair of the Neuropharmacology Division Executive Committee, I will always focus on communication, transparency and awareness, and my guiding principle will be to promote an environment that is fair, inclusive, and focused on the best outcomes for trainees and early-stage investigators.

Qin Wang, MD, PhD - Augusta University

I am highly motivated to take forward ASPET’s vision of a future where there is safe and effective therapeutic for every disease. As the Chair of the Neuropharmacology division, I will strive to advance the division's role in translating neuropharmacological discoveries into therapeutic innovation. I will work closely with ASPET leadership and executive committee members to develop initiatives and activities that promote innovative research concepts and technologies and expand networking opportunities. I will lead the effort to recruit new members and retain existing ones and to support the professional development of our members at all career stages.

To promote involvement throughout the community, I intend to enhance mentorship and career advancement pathways for trainees and early career investigators while collaborating with the other divisions to organize joint activities focused on the cross-disciplinary nature of neuropharmacology. Through these efforts, I envision a firmly networked, inclusive, and forward-looking Neuropharmacology Division that embodies ASPET's organization values—scientific excellence, communication, DEIA, mentorship, and accountability—and contributes to its mission of advancing the science of drugs and therapeutics to improve human health.  
 

Rheaclare Fraser-Spears, PhD - University of the Incarnate Word

Fostering trust and open communication among members is central to ASPET’s core values. I will commit to aid in advancing these principles through service as Secretary/Treasurer-elect of the Neuropharmacology Division. My professional values strongly align with ASPET’s dedication to inclusivity and support for members at all career stages. I have witnessed firsthand how ASPET empowers trainees and professionals alike, particularly through its leadership in creating platforms that elevate early-career scientists and junior trainees.

Recognizing ASPET as “the home for all engaged in pharmacology,” I am eager to collaborate across divisions and engage faculty, instructors, and students from diverse health professions. Serving in this role represents a meaningful opportunity to deepen my involvement and advocate for the continued growth and impact of the pharmacology community. 

Erica Levitt, PhD - University of Michigan

As the secretary/treasurer of the Division of Neuropharmacology, I will build upon my prior experience and continue to serve the NEU division as a member of the executive committee. I have experience raising and balancing funds and organizing events and conferences, and I will work with the division leadership and ASPET on budgeting to support programmatic needs, including awards and networking events. ASPET has been my professional home since I was a trainee. I was well supported through scientific interactions with fellow pharmacologists and awards from ASPET as a trainee, and in my early career. It is time to pay it forward and I would be honored to continue to serve ASPET in this role to support the mission of the division and of ASPET to support trainees and early-career pharmacologists via opportunities to present their research, awards and mentoring programs.       

Wenke Feng, PhD, FAASLD - Tulane University 

My interest in toxicology began with my early research on the cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin and later expanded to alcohol-induced liver injury. Over the years, I have actively participated in ASPET (formerly Experimental Biology) meetings, presenting my own research and mentoring trainees to present their work as oral and poster presenters. Through these experiences, I have come to deeply appreciate the central role of the Toxicology Division in advancing ASPET’s mission and in supporting the scientific community. I hope to work collaboratively with colleagues across academia, government, and industry to strengthen our division’s impact through research, education, innovation, and advocacy.

The Toxicology Division plays a vital role in promoting safer and more effective drug discovery and therapeutics, advancing technologies to better understand human disease, and developing novel animal and in vitro models for translational research. We also serve as advocates for scientific integrity and regulatory safety. My goals include expanding member recruitment and engagement, organizing innovative and interdisciplinary symposia, fostering collaborations across ASPET divisions, and enhancing training and career opportunities for young scientists. I aim to help make the Toxicology Division a welcoming, dynamic, and globally connected home for toxicologists dedicated to improving human health.  

Dinesh Bhattarai, PhD - University of Arkansas for Medical Science

As Secretary/Treasurer, I will serve the DMDD division and advance the goals of ASPET by promoting collaboration between academia and industry. I plan to increase division membership by proposing symposia, workshops, and speakers that reflect diverse research interests and foster translational partnerships. I will act as a liaison between the division Executive Committee and the ASPET budget committee to strategically support funding for Early Career Awards, networking events, and Experimental Biology participation. I am also committed to mentoring trainees and engaging them in division activities to enhance professional development. Through these efforts, I aim to strengthen community, collaboration, and visibility within the DMDD division while supporting the broader mission of ASPET.