University at Buffalo announces groundbreaking Master of Science degree in Pharmacometrics and Personalized Pharmacotherapy

“This unique program draws on the strengths of our school and offers both theoretical training and hands-on experience," says James M. O'Donnell, PhD, dean. "It provides an excellent opportunity for PharmD students to augment their education, as well as for pharmacy and pharmaceutical science graduates in academia, regulatory agencies, and the pharmaceutical industry to gain new skills."

The program is directed by SUNY Distinguished Professor William Jusko, PhD, internationally renowned pharmaceutical scientist and expert in pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, clinical pharmacology, and quantitative pharmacology.

The program focuses on advanced training in pharmacometric principles of advanced pharmacokinetics (study of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs) and pharmacodynamics (study of drug effects and toxicity in treatment of diseases). Conceptual training, combined with hands-on computational training integrating health and biomedical data, will allow students to partner with internationally-renowned faculty in high-level research and garner real-world job experience while still completing coursework.

“Pharmacometricians play a critical role in drug discovery and development in research institutes, pharmaceutical industry, regulatory agencies and academia,” says Donald Mager, PharmD, PhD, FCP, Professor and Vice-chair, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. “Students in this program will master the skills to optimize drug therapy, allowing for the provision of precision medicine and individualized therapies.”

The founding principles of pharmaceutical sciences were pioneered at the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (UB SPPS)—this tradition of excellence and worldwide distinction has been sustained for over 50 years and expanded to international leadership in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics research and now to the burgeoning field of systems pharmacology.