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 Goudsward
Hannah Goudsward is a fifth-year PhD candidate in the Neuroscience program at Penn State College of Medicine. It was during her undergraduate studies that she found her calling in scientific research.
“My thesis primarily focused on developing methods to visualize respiratory circuits in normal conditions and following cervical spinal cord injury,” said Goudsward. “This work enhanced my passion for biology and confirmed that I wanted to pursue a career in research.”
At Penn State Goudsward continued to pursue research related to post-spinal cord injury (SCI) autonomic dysfunction, working in the lab of Dr. Gregory M. Holmes, an expert in gastrointestinal dysfunction after traumatic SCI.
Goudsward identified knowledge gaps regarding gastric vagal afferent physiology under normal conditions. Dr. Holmes encouraged her to address this knowledge gap, and she has been investigating how GPCRs, including the ghrelin receptor and opioid receptors, normally modulate voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in gastric vagal afferent neurons.
“I hope these findings will ultimately improve treatment options for people suffering from gastric motility disorders, including those with spinal cord injuries or diabetic gastroparesis,” Goudsward said.
She said she is very grateful to have had two papers published in ASPET journals, with her most recent work available in the November issue of Molecular Pharmacology.
“I appreciate that the quality and impact of my research has been recognized by such a highly respected journal [as MolPharm], especially so early on in my research career.”
George Trevor
“I have been fascinated by science for as long as I can remember,” said George Trevor. Currently a third year undergraduate student at Western University in London, Ontario, Trevor became interested in nature and biology. Then, during his high school years, his interest developed further.
“I became interested in pharmacology after reading online about the basic pharmacological principles of addiction and drugs of abuse,” said Trevor. “I was fascinated by how small amounts of tiny molecules could have such a large impact on our physiology and could treat disease.”
In the summer of his first year, Trevor interned in the lab of Dr. Brad Urquhart where he learned concepts of precision medicine and metabolomics and was provided with opportunities to engage in self-guided research in these areas. This deepened his interest in pharmacology and led him to pursue an honours specialization in pharmacology starting in his third year, which he’s currently completing.
Following his undergraduate degree, Trevor hopes to enter an MD/PhD program and pursue a career as a physician scientist. He’s interested in continuing research into precision medicine and hopes to apply this concept to neurological/psychiatric disorders and the drugs that treat them.
Trevor said he is very excited to be published in the latest issue of Drug Metabolism and Disposition, and he’s very proud to have his review published alongside lots of very high-quality research.
“I have spent many hours reading papers which have been published in ASPET journals and it is exciting to know that I have contributed to the wealth of knowledge which has hugely benefited me and many others.”
Olivia Vanegas
As an undergraduate at the University of Kentucky, S. Olivia Vanegas first learned about sodium channels and action potentials in a Brain and Behavior course in psychology.
“I vividly remember realizing that, through pharmacology, we could pinpoint exactly how drugs like lidocaine block neurotransmission and nociception,” Vanegas explained. “It was a pivotal moment when I knew I wanted to dedicate my career to this field.”
Vanegas is now a fourth year student at the University of Connecticut and is pursuing her PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience. Currently her research centers on cannabinoid pharmacology and preclinical pain models. She is also focused on understanding how the endocannabinoid system can be harnessed to develop novel, non-opioid therapies for pain and comorbid mental health conditions.
After graduation, she plans to pursue a postdoctoral position to further refine her skills in studying the mechanisms underlying chronic pain development and related effects on mental health.
“My long-term goal is to establish my own research lab, where I will focus on developing safer and more effective analgesics,” said Vanegas.
She said being published in a highly respected and impactful journal like the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics is truly a highlight of her young career.
“JPET is a flagship pharmacology journal, and I frequently cite ASPET articles in my own research. It is an incredible honor to now have my work featured alongside studies from researchers I deeply admire. This experience inspires me to continue striving for excellence and contributing meaningful findings to the scientific community.”
