Position: Associate Professor
Location: D3332 - ICPH Fairfax
Phone: (540) 542-6504
Email: tnickola@su.edu
Employed Since: 2006
Educational History:
B.S., Biology; SUNY Fredonia, M.S., Biochemistry, SUNY Fredonia, Ph.D., Pathology, University of Buffalo
Post-doctoral fellowship Children’s National Medical Center
As a post-doctoral fellow at Children’s, my research concentrated on cytokine-mediated regulation of mucin gene expression in pediatric patients with asthma or cystic fibrosis. My Ph.D. research was based on elucidating why it takes several weeks for antidepressants to lessen the clinical symptoms of depression. Specifically, I investigated cytokine (TNF, IL-6)-mediated release of neurotransmitters following administration of psychotropic compounds such as cocaine, amphetamine, antidepressant or anxiolytic drugs. My Master’s thesis focused on plant physiology, specifically PO4- uptake in the aquatic macrophyte M. spicatum which continued to be a nuisance in the waters of Lake Erie despite the ban on PO4- in detergents.
Fields of Expertise:
I primarily teach in the 1st year curriculum where we concentrate on the foundational sciences (pathophysiology, pharmacogenomics) which serve as the building blocks for the more advanced topics in the 2nd and 3rd years. My passion is Pharmacogenomics—the core of personalized medicine–which is pivotal for pharmacists to take the profession and health care to the next level. Current research endeavors include: the state of Pharmacogenomic education in US professional schools, and the impact of female mentorship on women in STEM disciplines.
Professional Highlights:
Award recipient of a NIH, NRSA postdoctoral grant and Annual Pediatric Forum Research Award while at Children’s in D.C.
Personal Quote:I teach in IBHS, PGx and ICARE. I really enjoy the lecture topics which lay the groundwork for the more advanced topics in ICARE during the 2nd and 3rd year, as well as the intimate teaching setting on the Ashburn Campus.
Personal Highlights:
GO GIRL educational outreach co-founder and contributor. GO GIRL is funded by Loudoun County Public Schools through a grant from HHMI and offers young girls female mentorship and laboratory experience in the field of genomics.