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.
Research themes
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.
Our researchers
Undergraduate research opportunities
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
- Review the project descriptions (PDF) and decide which research project aligns with your goals and interests.
- Communicate with the primary investigator (PI) in charge of the project you’re interested in.
- Complete the application form (PDF) in cooperation with your PI of choice.
IMPORTANT: Submit your application by February 25, 2021 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.
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Office of Research Services funding database
The Office of Research Services (ORS) maintains a searchable database of upcoming major funding competitions from local, provincial, national and international sources that is updated weekly.
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Funding application approval form (FAAF)
Once you have found funding, make sure you have filled out your funding application approval form. This information is required to complete a compliance review and to secure the needed signatures.
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Ethics
The College of Pharmacy is committed to following all ethics requirements and protocols as set out by the Office of Research Ethics and Compliance.
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:
- Ensure you have card access to the building.
- Complete a swipe card application form and submit it to the lead lab technician.
- Attend a tour of the research facilities.
- Attend an autoclave training session, if necessary.
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.
- Complete the Individual Sponsored Account Application form.
- Using the UMnetID provided to you by the university, 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: 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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Events
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Contact us
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Dr. Xioachen Gu
Professor and associate dean, Research
204-474-6903
xiaochen.gu@umanitoba.ca -
Charity Pascual
Research and graduate program coordinator
Pharmacy.Research@umanitoba.ca
College of Pharmacy
Apotex Centre
750 McDermot Avenue West
University of Manitoba (Bannatyne campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3E 0T5 Canada