College of Pharmacy

Research and scholarly activity

From building molecules to form new drugs to researching public health issues affecting patients around the globe, College of Pharmacy faculty are helping advance medicine on countless fronts. With a strong dedication to community and collaboration, researchers work closely with colleagues throughout UM and beyond.

Several pharmacist students working in a lab.

Research themes

A pharmacist holds up a beaker filled with liquid to inspect it while wearing protective gloves, eyewear and a lab coat.

Biotargets and mechanisms of disease

This theme forms the foundation of basic molecular science in pharmacy.

Researchers in this area investigate fundamental cell biology and physiology that contribute to disease, drug-receptor interactions, and drug-induced signaling pathways.

This research covers a broad range of diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, liver disease, obesity, aging, Alzheimer’s disease, and epigenetic diseases.

This work will provide an essential understanding of biological processes that contribute to the development of novel biotherapeutic agents.

Learn more about our researchers working in this area:

Drug discovery, design, development, and delivery

This theme encompasses the disciplines of pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacology.

Pharmaceutics is the study of the delivery of drugs to their intended sites of action with the goal of targeting specific tissues or organs to increase efficacy and reduce adverse effects.

Medicinal chemistry includes the development of new drugs utilizing systematic approaches like computer-aided drug design, and synthetic organic chemistry, as well as the development of novel biologic drugs.

Pharmacokinetics is the study of the liberation from dosage forms, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity, of drugs.

Pharmacologists study the fundamental biochemical and physiological mechanisms of drug action to produce new and improve existing drugs. Our goal is to develop new treatments for growing health concerns like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Learn more about our researchers working in this area:

Population therapeutics and health outcomes research

Study of medications’ use in the real world to generate novel evidence of their safety, effectiveness, and value.

This theme is broad and includes research in pharmacoepidemiology, pharmacogenetics, health economics, health policy, medication therapy management, pharmacy practice, clinical epidemiology, and statistical methods as applied to pharmacoepidemiology.

Students interested in these areas of research have the opportunity to obtain a concentration in pharmacoepidemiology as a part of their degree.

Learn more about our researchers working in this area:

Translational pharmacotherapy and practice

The translational pharmacotherapy and practice theme deals with the movement of pharmacotherapy knowledge and research from concept development to direct patient application.

Many of our researchers are imbedded or practice within clinical settings providing them with the unique opportunity to allow practice to inspire and form the basis of research concepts and development.

Work produced by our researchers includes studies in a broad range of therapeutic areas, including cardiology, infectious diseases, renal disease, mental health, addiction medicine, diabetes, primary care, and care of older adults.

This breadth of research has fostered collaborations with other University of Manitoba research units, including many departments of medicine, as well as research partnerships with other Manitoba health care institutions and organizations such as the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba, Manitoba Centre for Health Policy etc.

Graduate students in this area do projects in pharmacy practice, clinical pharmacogenomics, applied pharmacokinetics, knowledge translation, and patient-level and population utilization assessment for clinical and policy applications.

This work is fundamental in informing clinician scientists, front-line clinicians, and decision makers on current therapeutic progress and potential applications of optimized pharmacotherapy to patient care.

Learn more about our researchers working in this area:

College of Pharmacy Research Day

2022 Pharmacy Research Day highlights studies of drug effects, multiple sclerosis data

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Helen Tremlett
Oral Presentation Winner: Courtney Lawrence 
Poster Presentation Winner: Donica Janzen

For more information, visit UM Today.

Photo of Courteny Lawrence in a lab.

Our researchers

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Undergraduate research opportunities

Student working in a lab.

UM Undergraduate Research Awards

Each year, the University of Manitoba provides a multitude of unique learning opportunities through the undergraduate research awards. This program allows undergraduate students to interact with the best minds and research leaders in their fields. This experience opens them up to new possibilities for a research career in either government, academic or industry sectors.

College of Pharmacy PharmD Undergraduate Summer Research Experience

Overview

Offered by the College of Pharmacy, the summer research experience offers undergraduates a unique opportunity to hone their research skills and build strong relationships with faculty mentors.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to Year 1 and Year 2 PharmD students.
 
Funding is available for six students at $2,000 each per month for Year 1 students and $2,500 each per month for Year 2 students:

  • Year 1 students are eligible for four months (16 weeks)
  • Year 2 students are eligible for two months (10 weeks), depending on your hospital rotations. Further information will be provided once rotations schedules are reviewed.

How to apply

  1. Review the project descriptions (PDF) and decide which research project aligns with your goals and interests.
  2. Communicate with the primary investigator (PI) in charge of the project you’re interested in.
  3. Complete the application form (PDF) in cooperation with your PI of choice.

IMPORTANT: Submit your application by March 22, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. (CST)

 

Funding and resources

The College of Pharmacy is committed to funding research and supporting our principal investigators. Here are some examples of places to start looking for funding.

Safety training for research personnel

Overview

The College of Pharmacy follows all policies and procedures established to ensure the safety and well-being of its students and staff. Safety training is mandatory for all new research personnel.

Internal personnel - wet lab

Before the first day at work, all new research personnel must:

Visit UM Learn and register for:

  • College of Pharmacy lab safety training course
  • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) and biosafety training courses

After each course, submit your certificate of completion to the lead lab technician.

Schedule an in-person training session with the lead lab technician to complete the laboratory safety checklist for new lab personnel.

On/after the first day at work, all new research personnel must:

Non-pharmacy personnel

All applicants from outside the College of Pharmacy must have an internal principal investigator sponsoring their application. Review our faculty directory to find a researcher who can be responsible for your work in our labs.

Contact the lead lab technician for your application package. Return the completed form to the lead lab technician.

Visit UM Learn and register for Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) and biosafety training courses. Submit your certificates to the lead lab technician upon completion.

Note: The associate dean (research) reviews the applications and applicants are contacted with further details once a decision has been made.

Non-university personnel

All applicants from outside the University of Manitoba must have an internal principal investigator sponsoring their application. Review our faculty directory to find a researcher who can be responsible for your work in our labs.

Note: International visitors are encouraged to contact the University of Manitoba International Centre for information on visa applications.

Completing non-lab research at the College of Pharmacy

Individuals performing research with dry lab faculty must complete a mandatory orientation. This includes:

  • Summer students (from the College and university)
  • Volunteers
  • Incoming graduate students

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Contact us

College of Pharmacy
Apotex Centre
750 McDermot Avenue West
University of Manitoba (Bannatyne campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3E 0T5 Canada

pharmacy@umanitoba.ca
204-474-9306
204-789-3744