MOBILE, Alabama (2/1/2024) — Santina Johnson, a basic medical sciences student at the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine, has been selected as one of 10 nationwide to participate in the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET) 2024 Washington Fellows program.

The program helps developing and early-career scientists interested in science policy to learn about and become more engaged in public policy issues.

“Being selected as an ASPET Washington Fellow is an honor that deeply resonates with my journey in science and policy,” Johnson said. “This recognition goes beyond personal success; it symbolizes a meaningful opportunity to engage in and contribute to a wider dialogue about the interplay between scientific insights and effective policymaking.

“I am thrilled about the chance to learn from and add to discussions on science and health policy, particularly focusing on drug safety and efficacy.”

Johnson, a native of Alabama’s Black Belt region, discovered her passion for science and healthcare early on. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry at Spring Hill College, where she was actively engaged in academic research and served as a volunteer to promote health education in the community.

Following her undergraduate studies, Johnson worked as a teacher and behavioral specialist at AltaPointe’s BayPointe Hospital, an adolescent psychiatric facility. She credits this experience to steering her toward graduate studies and deepening her resolve to make a meaningful impact in healthcare.

“While my early education and experiences laid the foundation, it was during my time at Spring Hill College and my role at BayPointe Hospital that I recognized the significant impact of science on public health and policy,” she said. “My work in an academic setting, coupled with my involvement in pharmacology research, highlighted the importance of integrating scientific understanding with policy-making, especially in areas like pharmacovigilance/drug safety.”

Johnson is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in basic medical sciences in the Department of Pharmacology in the Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama. Under the mentorship of Thomas Rich, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Pharmacology and the Center for Lung Biology, and Silas Leavesly, Ph.D., a professor of chemical and biomedical engineering, she is studying the intricacies of second messenger signals by employing advanced imaging and analysis techniques to understand how information is encoded within these signals.

“Santina’s research is both timely and scientifically provocative,” Rich said. “However, there is more to being a complete scientist than experimental design and research goals. We as scientists also need to engage with the community. The ASPET Washington Fellows Program will provide Santina with practical experience in the development and implementation of science policy at the national level and help her to develop the skillsets to be an effective ambassador for science in her community.”

She plans to use the ASPET Washington Fellow opportunity to further her interests in health and science policy with a focus on pharmacovigilance.

“My focus will be on ensuring that drug safety and monitoring policies are informed by robust scientific evidence and tailored to address real-world challenges,” Johnson said. “Through this, I hope to contribute to the development of policies that not only safeguard public health but also enhance the effectiveness and reliability of treatments.”

Through the program, fellows learn how public policy decisions are made and how to advocate effectively on Capitol Hill and in their home districts. Ultimately, they develop the skills and insights to become future leaders in science.

The ASPET Washington Fellows Program is open to any graduate student, postdoctoral trainee, or researcher no more than four years past the completion of their postdoctoral training.

ASPET is a 4,000-member scientific society whose members conduct basic and clinical pharmacological research and work for academia, government, large pharmaceutical companies, small biotech companies, and non-profit organizations.

ASPET members work in various fields including neuroscientists, toxicologists, chemical biologists, pharmacists, cardiovascular scientists, and more. Though diverse, members have a common bond through their membership in ASPET. Our members’ research efforts help develop new medicines and therapeutic agents to fight existing and emerging diseases.