A Conversation with ASPET Program Committee Chair Khalid Garman, MD, MSc, PhD
How did you get started in pharmacology?
My interest in pharmacology began during medical school in Libya. I was drawn to the way pharmacology connects basic science with real decisions about patient care: why a treatment works, why it may not work for a particular patient, and how medicines can be used more safely and effectively. Working as a teaching assistant in pharmacology also showed me how much I enjoyed helping others make sense of complex concepts.
Later, while practicing medicine in trauma and anesthesia settings, I saw how important a strong understanding of pharmacology is when decisions must be made quickly and thoughtfully. That experience led me to pursue graduate training at Georgetown University, where I completed both an M.Sc. and a Ph.D. in Pharmacology. Since then, my path has expanded to include drug-discovery research, teaching, mentorship, and professional service. What continues to motivate me is the chance to connect scientific discovery with education and, ultimately, better care for patients.
How did you first get involved with ASPET?
I first joined ASPET because I was looking for a scientific community where I could learn, connect with colleagues, and become more involved beyond my own research. What kept me engaged was how welcoming the organization was to early-career scientists and how many ways there were to contribute.
I became involved with the Young Scientists Committee and gradually took on additional responsibilities, including serving as its chair. Over time, I contributed to the Program Committee, the IDEA Committee, annual meeting planning, the Bylaws Taskforce, and several review activities. More recently, after serving as vice chair of the Program Committee, I assumed the role of chair. I also completed ASPET’s PRIME-Educator Certificate Program and Washington Fellows Program and am currently participating in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (JPET) Editorial Fellowship. These experiences have allowed me to connect with colleagues across the Society and better understand how ASPET supports its members through scientific programming, education, policy engagement, publishing, and professional development.
What do you want the ASPET membership to know about you and your ideas on how to move the organization forward during your term?
I would like members to know that I approach the role of Program Committee chair with curiosity, humility, and a willingness to listen. The committee’s work is collaborative, and I do not see the chair’s role as having all the answers. My responsibility is to bring people together, encourage thoughtful discussion, and ensure that the committee benefits from the experiences and perspectives of its members.
During my term, I hope to help strengthen ASPET’s scientific programming by keeping it rigorous, relevant, and responsive to the interests of the pharmacology community. This includes seeking input from members across career stages, disciplines, institutions, and geographic regions; identifying emerging areas of science; and promoting meaningful exchange at ASPET meetings. I am particularly interested in ensuring that students and early-career scientists are represented in the program and have clear ways to present their work, participate in sessions, and connect with more established colleagues.
The Program Committee cannot address every aspect of the organization, but strong scientific programming can contribute to broader goals such as professional development, collaboration, mentorship, and community building. My aim is to work with the committee, ASPET leadership, and members to build on what is already working well, remain open to constructive feedback, and make practical improvements where possible. I hope members will feel comfortable sharing their ideas and will view the program as something shaped with them, rather than simply presented to them.
What has been your proudest accomplishment in your career so far?
Choosing just one accomplishment is not easy because I have been fortunate to find meaning in several aspects of my career. Scientifically, I am proud to have contributed to research identifying new therapeutic vulnerabilities in Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive skin cancer. That work required persistence, collaboration, and a willingness to follow unexpected results.
At the same time, some of the moments that mean the most to me are quieter: a student telling me that a difficult pharmacology concept finally makes sense, a trainee gaining confidence, or a colleague feeling supported because I took the time to listen. Publications and awards are meaningful, but science is ultimately a shared and human endeavor.
What I am proudest of is building a career that allows me to bring together research, teaching, mentorship, and service. Each part strengthens the others, and I am grateful that my work gives me the chance both to discover new knowledge and to help other people grow.
What advice would you give young scientists who are just starting out in their careers?
I would encourage young scientists to remain curious and give themselves permission not to have their entire careers mapped out. Scientific careers are rarely linear. Some of your most valuable experiences may come from an unexpected project, a new collaborator, or a responsibility that initially feels outside your comfort zone.
I would also encourage them to invest in relationships. Seek mentors but also build a community of peers who can learn with you, challenge you, and support you. Ask questions early, share credit generously, and remember that being a good colleague is an important part of being a good scientist.
Finally, try not to measure your progress only through publications, grants, awards, or job titles. Those things matter, but they do not tell the whole story. Growth also happens when an experiment teaches you something, when you communicate an idea more clearly, when you help someone else succeed, or when you recover from a setback. Be patient with yourself, stay open to learning, and hold on to the reason you became interested in science in the first place.
