Each month, the editors of three of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutic’s (ASPET) journals choose who they call their Highlighted Trainee Authors. These early-career scientists are recognized for their innovative research published in The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Drug Metabolism and Disposition, and Molecular Pharmacology. This feature showcases selected young scientists, demonstrates what drives them and reveals why pharmacology is important to them.
Hannah Shaw
Hannah Shaw is a master’s student through Drexel University School of Medicine and a trainee of the Fantegrossi Lab at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and has a strong passion for animals. Shaw first became involved in research while completing her undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University.
“I worked as a student technician with an investigator in the Department of Pathobiology of the veterinary school. She maintained a breeding colony of Labrador Retrievers to study hereditary nephropathy, analogous to the human disease Alport’s Syndrome,” she explained. While there, Shaw witnessed firsthand how animal research was conducted, and she has continued in biomedical research since then.
Shaw’s career development and decisions have been profoundly shaped by her mentor, Dr. William Fantegrossi. She says his guidance has created a lab environment that is nurturing, supportive and fosters collaboration, and that his support and encouragement has propelled her towards pursuing an advanced degree and sparked her interest in pharmacology.
She is interested in combining her passion for working with animals with her foray into research by choosing a program that will prepare her to become a veterinary scientist. “My ultimate goal would be to attend a dual degree program where I can earn both a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and PhD in pharmacology or a related discipline. I am looking to get in-depth specialized training to be used for emphasizing translational discoveries,” Shaw explained.
She says that being published in an ASPET journal “is incredibly exciting and being a part of the roster of impactful pharmacologists makes me proud of my work.” Read her research in the July issue of The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.
Beatriz Calle
Beatriz Calle is in her final year of her PhD at Imperial College London and the Francis Crick Institute. It was during her undergraduate years that she developed a fascination in the more biological aspects of chemistry and taking various courses and conducting research.
Also, during these years, Calle received “guidance and mentorship from my research placement supervisor, Dr. Ioly Kotta-Loizou, who was invaluable in cementing my resolve to pursue a career in biochemical research,” she said. “During my year in industry at AstraZeneca, my supervisors, Dr. Scott Martin and Dr. Beth Williamson, were instrumental in helping me refine my career path, including advising me of the value of a PhD in cancer research.”
Calle plans to finish her PhD and pursue a career in Oncology, particularly in the more translational aspects of cancer research. “It is a wide and exciting field to work in, so I look forward to whatever opportunities await within it.”
She “is honored” to have her work published in the July issue of Drug Metabolism and Disposition. “I am inspired by ASPET’s vision in developing safe and effective therapeutics for every disease. I really appreciate the opportunity to play a small part in contributing towards this mission and potentially helping improve the lives of patients for the better.”
Kaiyan Liu
Kaiyan Liu, PhD, is a research assistant in the Department of Urology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. Her interest in biomedical science began in high school after taking an advanced biology class.
“The complexity and elegance of the human body fascinated me, and I was particularly intrigued by how diseases affect biological processes,” Liu explained. “This early interest was solidified during a summer internship at a local hospital, where I had the opportunity to shadow biomedical researchers. Seeing the direct impact of their work on patient care inspired me to pursue this field.”
Liu credits her PhD mentor, Peng Huang, for profoundly influencing her career development and decisions, that helped her focus her doctoral research on cancer biology.
“The path I’ve taken has been shaped by a combination of early inspiration, hands-on research experiences, and a commitment to improving healthcare outcomes. I’m excited to continue this journey, pushing the boundaries of what we know and translating scientific discoveries into tangible benefits for patients,” she said.
Molecular Pharmacology recently published her research in its July issue. “Being published in an ASPET journal is a significant milestone in my career. ASPET journals are renowned for their rigorous peer-review process and high standards of scientific excellence,” Liu said.
“Having my research recognized and validated by such a prestigious publication is an honor and a testament to the quality and relevance of my work. Most importantly, it motivates me to continue striving for excellence and making meaningful contributions to this field.”