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. This month we are featuring the May and June 2025 Highlighted Trainee Authors.
MAY
Tongzhen Xie
The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
Tongzhen Xie is a postdoctoral associate at the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biophysics at Boston University. Her fascination with endogenous and exogenous biological processes led her to pursue research as an undergraduate.
Throughout her academic journey, Xie found inspiration and influence from her mentors. She was introduced to the fields of neuroscience and drug delivery by Drs. Robert Thorne and Geetika Nehra. While in graduate school, she deepened her understanding of brain anatomy, pain research, and pharmacology under the guidance of Drs. Carolyn Fairbanks and Lucy Vulchanova. Their mentorship shaped her interest in pain neuroscience and led to her current position with Dr. Venetia Zachariou at Boston University.
Xie’s research focuses on measuring neuronal activity through calcium signaling, a crucial process in pain transduction. While agmatine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, has been shown to alleviate sensitivity in animal models without the side effects associated with opioids, its effect on spinal cord calcium signaling remains unclear.
“By deepening our understanding of agmatine’s mechanism of action, we hope to aid the development of agmatine-based drugs as potential non-opioid pain therapeutics,” Xie says. “I hope my research contributes to a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying pain development and persistence.”
Xie aims to expand her research skills and uncover unidentified mechanisms in pain neuroscience. She also wants to translate her findings into clinical applications in the future, whether in academia or industry.
When asked about having her research published in The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Xie says, “It is an honor to publish in an ASPET journal, where many of my mentors and peers have also shared their work.”
MAY
Keren Chen
Keren Chen is currently a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) student at The University of British Columbia. Her published research focuses on understanding neurodegenerative diseases, which are conditions that cause the brain and nervous system to wear down.
“My work looks at the biology behind these diseases. If we can understand how these diseases work, we could design drugs to combat and reverse neurodegenerative diseases. With further research, the development of new drugs could help patients maintain their quality of life for as long as possible.”
Chen chose to study pharmacology for her BSc because it integrates human physiology and problem-solving; two interests that she’s had since a young age. On a personal level, watching her grandmother, who was impacted by neurodegenerative disease, motivated her into the field of neuroscience research and ultimately led her to write her first article on multiple sclerosis. She hopes that her research contributes to the broader understanding of neurodegenerative diseases and how they can be better managed through pharmacological interventions.
When asked about her future career and research plans, Chen explains, “Following the completion of my DMD, I see myself honing my skills in clinical practice for several years before continuing with research in dental medicine.” Currently, she has research interests in the link between oral health and neurodegenerative disease, especially relating to how oral health indicators can be used to screen these diseases and facilitate early intervention.”
The most rewarding part of Chen’s research has been being able to share it with aspiring scientists. Although she is still at the beginning of her own career, her recent experiences have allowed her to offer relatable advice to other undergraduate students. Chen has had the privilege of presenting her research at conferences and connecting with students who are starting their journey in science.
Chen expresses gratitude for having her contribution to research published in Molecular Pharmacology. “Having my first publication recognized by an ASPET Journal is very encouraging, as it means my work will be made accessible to an audience of not only pharmacologists but the broader scientific community. This article is only the beginning; I am inspired to continue my studies and expand on existing literature.”
MAY
Tim Tsang
Drug Metabolism and Disposition
Yik Pui (Tim) Tsang is a 4th year PhD student in the laboratories of Dr. Jashvant Unadkat and Dr. Edward Kelly at the University of Washington’s School of Pharmacology.
Tsang first developed his interest in pharmaceutics, pharmacology and translational science while working in Dr. Carla Koehler’s lab during his undergraduate studies at UCLA. While there, he assisted his mentors in investigating the trafficking pathways of mitochondrial double-stranded RNA, where they explored the possibility of designing a small-molecule inhibitor of polynucleotide phosphorylase using molecular docking. This sparked his fascination with the “how and why” of drug action.
“Drug use during inflammatory conditions or pregnancy is exceedingly common, yet the body processes medications differently under these physiological states… By quantifying these changes and implementing the results into predictive models like physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) simulations, my work helps us optimize dosing regimens to ensure that patients receive effective and safe treatments,” explains Tsang.
When asked about the impact of his research on the field of pharmacology, Tsang explains, “I hope my research will establish a foundational understanding of how inflammation and pregnancy influence the expression and activity of renal drug transporters. The data that I collect will serve as a reference point for future work on renal transporter regulation under these physiological conditions.”
Tsang’s long-term career goal is to become a clinical pharmacologist. He envisions a career that combines both industry experience, where he can help develop drugs more efficiently, with rigorous academic research in drug metabolism and transport. He also aspires to become an adjunct professor at a university where he can mentor the next generation of researchers.
“Having my work recognized and published by ASPET is very meaningful to me, as it represents validation from a community of experts in the field and underscores the hard work and dedication I have invested in my research,” Tsang shares. “ASPET holds a special place in my career. The first scientific conference I have ever attended as a presenter was organized by ASPET.”
JUNE
Kerim Cakir
The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
Kerim Cakir is a PhD student in the Doctor of Pharmacy program at Temple University. While studying Biochemistry, Cakir realized that he had a huge interest in the discussions focused on drugs. Cakir was introduced to Dr. Ellen Walker, who taught pharmacology, and soon after expressed interest in joining her lab. Since then, he has enjoyed conducting pharmacology research under her guidance.
Cakir has several ideas of how he sees his future career plans. Soon, he’ll participate in a clinical pharmacy residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. In terms of future goals, he plans to establish a career as a clinical pharmacist at a reputable research and teaching center and settle into academia to continue his passion for teaching and mentoring the next generation of researchers.
The basis of Cakir’s research focuses on the current complication in the fentanyl supply in our community, which is the introduction of alpha-2-agonists such as xylazine. “We have completed various projects using xylazine and fentanyl with rodents, studying its behavioral implications… The importance of the research is serving as a basis for future research on opioid and alpha-2-agonist combinations. It serves as a foundation for us and others to add more research into this area of substance use and to further contribute to rationalizing certain drug combinations.”
Cakir hopes that his research can contribute to the field of pharmacology by establishing a methodology that other researchers may be able to use, illuminating the topic of substance use, while serving as an example for other student researchers that is possible to be able to work and lead in complex projects.
According to Cakir, being published in The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics “means that my work has been accepted as valuable, important, and necessary in the field of science… In addition, being able to publish as a first author means that I’m able to put my name out there as an up-and-coming researcher in such a credible journal!”
JUNE
Xingyu Zhu
Drug Metabolism and Disposition
Xingyu Zhu is a 3rd year PhD candidate at National University of Singapore. The opportunity to participate in an internship during her undergraduate studies piqued her interest in research. She was fortunate to be mentored by a professor whose passion for discovery and scientific rigor opened my eyes to the intellectual fulfillment that research can offer.
This experience and Zhu’s PhD journey reinforced her belief that science can contribute to improving lives—which continues to drive her dedication to a career in translational research.
“My research focuses on understanding how certain genetic differences in our DNA can influence heart rhythm and affect how individuals respond to medications… To study this, I use heart cells derived from human stem cells, which allow us to model these genetic changes in a lab setting,” Zhu shares. “By understanding how genetic variation contributes to disease and treatment response, we can begin to design safer, more targeted therapies that are tailored to the individual, reducing risks and improving outcomes for patients with heart disease.”
Zhu envisions that the insight from her research will help guide the development of personalized pharmacological interventions by moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach toward tailored therapies that account for individual genetic makeup. Thus, bridging the gap between scientific discoveries and clinical practice, enabling safer and more effective treatments for patients with inherited cardiac disorders and other at-risk populations.
For Zhu, being published in Drug Metabolism and Disposition “is an honor and a milestone in my scientific journey. It represents the culmination of years of effort to share my findings with fellow scientists who are equally committed to advancing pharmacological science. It motivates me to continue pushing boundaries in translational research and contributes to my long-term goal of bridging basic science with clinical application.”
