A showcase of early-career scientists—what drives them and why pharmacology is important to them.
The 39th Annual Meeting of the Great Lakes Chapter of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (GLC-ASPET) was held at Midwestern University in Downers Grove, Illinois, on June 12, 2026. One hundred and fifty-six pharmacologists, biologists, computer scientists, chemists, clinicians, and students from both academia and the pharmaceutical industry in the Midwest were in attendance. Twenty-eight ASPET members attended, and an additional eight poster winners joined ASPET subsequent to the meeting. Represented institutions included eighteen universities and research institutes, seven pharmaceutical or biotech companies, and two healthcare centers.
In a brief six-month period, from December 2018 to June 2019, 30 horses died at the Santa Anita racetrack in California (home of Seabiscuit, the legendary champion). The horses had been euthanized after sustaining catastrophic musculoskeletal injuries either during their high-speed morning workouts or their afternoon races. Officials temporarily shut down the racetrack, while they investigated the track conditions and the drugs the horses had received. As an extra precaution, they initiated a ban on furosemide (Lasix). Although furosemide has legitimate uses, there was evidence that it could also enhance the horses’ performance.
We are all in this together. It is the honor of a lifetime to represent the membership of the society that has played such an important part in my own career. I intend to “pay it forward” by serving all of you.
Executive Officer Dave Jackson welcomes ASPET’s new leadership into their roles, explains the structure of our council, committees, and executive committees, and encourages members to take part in the society over the next year.
Carolina B. A. Restini, PharmD, PhD, FAAPE, Promoted to Professor at Michigan State University; ASPET Welcomes New Members
Communicating the drug development process to the general public and policymakers can be challenging due to the scientific complexity and extensive regulatory requirements involved in bringing a new medicine to market.
In Industry Insights, members of ASPET’s Industry Science Committee discuss the intersection of pharmacology and industry, private sector highlights, and how the industry and membership can support each other.
A showcase of early-career scientists—what drives them and why pharmacology is important to them.
New ASPET Journal Board Member. The Publications Committee thanks this new editorial board member, and all ASPET board members, for their service and dedication to the Society’s journals.
