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.
Nina Beltran
Nina Beltran is a fifth-year PhD candidate at the University of Texas at El Paso, whose interest in science stemmed from someone close to her.
“I became interested in neuroscience and pharmacology due to my brother’s diagnosis of epilepsy, which inspired me to gain clinical and research experience as an undergraduate,” said Beltran.
She has since developed a deep interest in the intersection of science and medicine, particularly the impact of pharmacology on public health. “I was motivated by my passion to investigate factors that can impact the therapeutic and adverse effects of medications and recreational substances,” Beltran explained. “I am also passionate about advancing the current understanding of pharmacotherapies through scientific research.”
Beltran’s plan is to become a pharmacologist/toxicologist within the government or in the pharmaceutical industry, where she can apply her technical and scientific background to pharmacotherapies in a collaborative environment.
She credits her career development to the mentorship and guidance she has received from experienced scientists in the field and is thrilled to have her work published in the October issue of The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.
“Being published in JPET is a significant achievement that validates the rigor and impact of my research, providing me with the opportunity to contribute to and engage with a respected scientific community dedicated to advancing the field of pharmacology.”
Kelly Manthei, PhD
In her role as a Research Development Officer, Dr. Kelly Manthei is tasked with helping researchers secure funding for their work.
“Throughout my research career I enjoyed and excelled at detailed-oriented tasks, writing, editing, and project management,” explained Manthei. “As securing funding has become increasingly competitive, I was intrigued by the field of research development. In my new position, I use these skills to help faculty at the University of Michigan be more competitive in securing external funding.”
As her career develops, she aims to further strengthen her abilities and capacity to support faculty with their proposals, thereby enabling them to advance their research. “As the research development field continues to evolve, I’m excited to contribute to its growth and raise awareness, all while striving to better support the research community,” said Dr. Manthei.
She is grateful to the exceptional mentors throughout her career who encouraged her to develop her writing skills and gave her opportunities to write and review grants and manuscripts. Dr. Manthei explained that she also networked with professionals in the research development field who provided invaluable insights and support that were essential for navigating her career transition.
“We are honored to be published in an ASPET journal, especially given its strong support for trainees and high-quality research. It’s rewarding to see this project, which began as an undergraduate thesis and grew through collaboration, featured in Molecular Pharmacology.”
Nayiar Shahid
Nayiar Shahid has a keen interest and passion for the world of research. After completing her master’s degree at the University of London, she embarked on a four-year stint as a research assistant at the University of Malaya in Malaysia, working on diabetes- and cancer-related projects.
Earlier in her career while working at Sanofi-Aventis she came to a specific conclusion that influenced her career path: “I realized that besides discovering new medicines and developing the already existed ones, targeting the signaling pathways that mediate the disease are the true means of reflecting the art of medical research,” said Shahid.
Currently, Shahid is broadening her research horizons at the University of Alberta working on the pharmacological, functional and molecular characterization of the membrane transport systems, under Dr. James R. Hammond. She’s also very heavily involved in on-campus student organizations, as well as being a graduate student representative on ASPET’s Division for Drug Metabolism and Disposition’s Executive Committee.
Her research opportunities have allowed Shahid to advance her learning and hone her research, writing and presentation skills.
“I am now driven to expand my knowledge in pharmaceutical science, drug discovery and pharmacology background further,” Shahid said, “and I will be uniquely prepared as a scientist to develop something innovative whether it be in industry or in an academic setting.”
As Shahid continues to persevere, she’s seeing her hard work, dedication and patience paying off. “To be qualified for this published work adds more prestigious value to the field that I am working on and towards my career and I am truly honored to be acknowledged in the world of Drug Metabolism and Disposition science through this interesting project.”