Ashley N. Guillory joined ASPET while pursuing her doctorate in Pharmacology from the University of Houston where she studied the molecular mechanisms of β-adrenergic receptor signaling in cardiovascular hypertrophy and failure. During her training, the receipt of a travel award and participation in the Dolores C. Shockley Poster competition provided an opportunity to network with senior faculty and fellow underrepresented minority graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Under these influences, Ashley quickly became more involved in ASPET, serving on multiple committees in the society as a graduate student and post-doctoral fellow. Her service on these committees unleashed a passion for mentoring and career development that she presently pursues.
After completing a post-doctoral fellowship investigating burn-induced cardiovascular dysfunction at UTMB’s Department of Surgery, Ashley joined the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) Physician Assistant Studies department. Within the Physician Assistant Studies department, she teaches the pharmacology and research courses and serves as the Director of Admissions. She also teaches pharmacology to physical therapy and clinical laboratory science doctoral students in the UTMB School of Health Professions. Ashley excels in teaching mentoring and advising as evidenced by her recent designation as a University of Texas System Distinguished Teaching Professor, which is given to individuals who display excellence in biomedical and health professions education. Additionally, within four years of joining the Physician Assistant Studies department, she was promoted to Associate Professor and credits ASPET and the ASPET community as a significant contributor to her success. “ASPET has provided a place for me to present my research, receive mentorship, find collaborators, and so much more throughout every step of my career to date. During the transitions from graduate student to postdoc to faculty and even during the transitions from basic science research to clinical and translational research to educational research.”
Ashley is creating an educational research program focused on active learning techniques to improve learners’ mastery and retention of pharmacology. In 2019, she received the ASPET Division for Pharmacology Education – Pharmacology Educator Travel Award to present a project that assessed the use of case-based discussions to review infectious disease therapeutics. Since then, she has presented her work at many regional and national conferences. Ashley is also passionate about faculty development and has given faculty development sessions at local, regional, and national events covering student success in the online environment, active learning modalities, and reducing bias in health professions’ curricula.
Finally, Ashley currently serves on the ASPET Division for Pharmacology Education Executive Committee and is the incoming chair of the ASPET Mentoring and Career Development Committee. She is also actively engaged in efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion within her university and the professional organizations where she is a member. In addition to her professional pursuits, Ashley is an avid reader who loves traveling, museums, symphonies, and Broadway shows. She loves spending time with her family and friends and giving back to her community.