A Conversation with ASPET’s Partnerships Committee Co-Chair, Micheline Piquette-Miller, PhD
Micheline Piquette-Miller, PhD, is ASPET’s Partnerships Committee Co-Chair and helps raise awareness of ASPET’s international role. She holds a doctorate in Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmacokinetics) from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, after receiving her BSc, Pharmacy from the same institution. Dr. Piquette-Miller did her postdoctoral training at the University of California, San Francisco, Department of Biopharmaceutics & Molecular Pharmacology. She is currently professor and Associate Dean of Research at the University of Toronto, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy in Toronto, Canada.
Since 1996, Dr. Piquette-Miller has been leading her lab that specializes in understanding how pathophysiological conditions affect the efficacy and safety of drugs. She has published more than 130 research articles and has also contributed expertise as a member of the COVID-19 Clinical Pharmacology Ad-hoc Task Force for the Public Health Agency of Canada. Dr. Piquette-Miller has also been a recipient of numerous prestigious national and international research awards. She has also held positions on board of directors and executive councils of several scientific groups and is an associate editor of the journal, Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. She has been an active member of ASPET since 2010.
In addition to her current role as Partnerships Committee Co-Chair, she has served as an annual meeting speaker and as a member of the Drug Metabolism and Disposition Editorial Advisory Board. Dr. Piquette-Miller shares her insight and guidance for young scientists.
How did you get started in pharmacology?
It started in high school when my mother was diagnosed with a chronic autoimmune disease. Watching her navigate treatments sparked a deep curiosity in me about medicine and how drugs work to combat illness. I knew I wanted to learn more, so I enrolled in the Pharmacy program at the University of Alberta. That decision was a game-changer.
Not only did the program provide top-notch professional training, but it also introduced me to the world of pharmacology research through their undergraduate summer research program. I vividly remember stepping into my first pharmacology and drug-testing laboratory—I was hooked! The thrill of discovery and the potential to make a difference inspired me to shift gears from a professional career to a research-focused path.
Driven by this passion, I pursued a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences with a specialization in pharmacokinetics. My PhD journey and subsequent post-doctoral training at UCSF were transformative. They gave me incredible opportunities to delve into both clinical and molecular pharmacology, sharpening my skills and deepening my expertise.
After completing two years of post-doctoral training, I joined the faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto, where I established a translational pharmacology research laboratory. It’s been an incredible journey, fueled by curiosity and a desire to bridge the gap between science and patient care.
How did you first get involved with ASPET?
My journey with ASPET began in 2007 when I was invited to speak at an ASPET symposium during the annual Experimental Biology meeting. From the moment I arrived, I was captivated by the incredible depth and diversity of research being presented and energized by the outstanding network of scientists in attendance. The experience left a lasting impression, and I quickly became a regular at ASPET’s annual meetings.
Fast forward to 2019, when Eddie Morgan extended an invitation for me to join the newly established ASPET Global Partnership Task Force, which he was chairing. This task force had an ambitious mission: to identify strategic partners and opportunities that could elevate the Society’s impact. In 2020, this visionary group evolved into what is now the Partnerships Committee. I initially served as a member and was later honored to step into the role of Chair. It’s been an inspiring journey, filled with opportunities to contribute to ASPET’s growth and global reach.
What do you want the ASPET membership to know about you and your ideas on how to move the organization forward during your term?
As a woman scientist and chair of the Partnerships Committee, I’m passionate about ensuring ASPET becomes an even stronger driving force in shaping the future of pharmacology on a global scale while creating a culture that promotes diversity and inclusivity. I envision ASPET as a leader in launching bold initiatives that not only amplify the global visibility of our profession but also empower pharmacologists in under-resourced regions to actively contribute to groundbreaking advancements in science and medicine.
To move our organization forward, I believe we must elevate our advocacy efforts—ensuring that policymakers, funding agencies, and the public truly understand the critical role pharmacology plays in advancing healthcare. At the same time, fostering diversity, inclusivity, and meaningful engagement across all ASPET activities is essential to building a thriving and representative community.
The future of pharmacology also hinges on our ability to embrace and adapt to emerging technologies and research frontiers, such as artificial intelligence, data science, and systems biology. I’m committed to driving strategic initiatives that position ASPET at the forefront of these advancements, ensuring our society remains not only relevant but essential to the evolution of biomedical science.
What has been your proudest accomplishment in your career so far?
My proudest accomplishment, without a doubt, is mentoring and successfully graduating more than 20 PhD students who have since carved out remarkable careers in academia, industry, and regulatory agencies. Watching them grow into leaders in their fields has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
What makes it even more special is staying connected with them over the years—catching up at social gatherings or reuniting at scientific events. Seeing their achievements and knowing I played a part in their journey fills me with immense pride and reminds me why I’m so passionate about nurturing the next generation of scientists.
What advice would you give young scientists who are just starting out in their careers?
My advice? Dive in and get involved with ASPET—it can be a game-changer for their careers. Building leadership skills starts with action, so they shouldn’t hesitate to join the ASPET Mentoring Network as well as to participate in divisional communities that align with their research. Volunteering for subcommittees or contributing to activities like symposium proposal planning is a fantastic way to grow, make an impact, and pave the path toward leadership roles within the Society.
Attending and actively participating in meetings is another crucial step. These gatherings are more than just events—they’re golden opportunities to network, exchange ideas, and form relationships that can truly transform their careers. The connections they make and the skills they develop through ASPET can set the foundation for fulfilling and influential career opportunities. So, I would tell them to be confident, take the next step, and get involved.
