Webinar IUPHAR

Date: 15 Oct 2025 • Time: 1-2.30pm New York; 6-7.30pm London

In the first of two workshops, we will look at what we mean by an integrated curriculum and the different forms it can take. Three experienced pharmacologists from very different institutions will describe their experiences and highlight what worked well and why, and how they resolved some of the challenges that they faced. They will explain what they wished they knew before they started! Participants will have the opportunity to share their own successes and challenges so that we can crowdsource solutions.

SPEAKERS

• Integrated curriculum: what is it and what are the challenges and pitfalls for pharmacology?
• Prof. Kelly Karpa East Tennessee State University
• Threading the Needle: Effective Pharmacology Leadership
• A/Prof. Munder Zagaar Baylor College of Medicine, Houston
• A/Prof. Carolina Restini, Michigan State University
• Chair: Prof. John Szarek

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS AND CHAIR

• Kelly Karpa RPh, PhD, FAAPE, FNAP
• Kelly is a Professor in the Department of Medical Education at East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine where she also serves as Associate Dean for Institutional Effectiveness and Innovation. Kelly is a member of ASPET and contributes to the American Medical School Pharmacology Chairs’ (AMSPC) Knowledge Objectives and the IUPHAR Core Concepts projects. In the interprofessional realm, Kelly co-leads the American Interprofessional Health Collaborative Membership Committee and is a Distinguished Fellow of National Academies of Practice.
• Carolina Restini, PharmD, Ph.D., FAAPE
• Carolina (Carol) is an Associate Professor and Thread Director for Pharmacology in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), as well as the Director of the Foundry for Innovative Research and Education (FIRE) programs at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (Dept. Pharmacology & Toxicology). With extensive expertise in pharmacology education, curriculum development, and medical education research, she brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the field.
• Munder Zagaar, PharmD, Ph.D.
• Munder is an Associate Professor of Foundational Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine, where he directs the pharmacology thread and serves as Director of Curriculum Threads and Integration. He has over 15 years of experience in pharmacology education and has led curriculum design initiatives in both pharmacy and medical programs that integrate foundational and clinical sciences, strengthen assessment for learning, and support mastery learning.
• John L. Szarek, BPharm, Ph.D.
• John is Professor of Pharmacology and Vice Chair of Phase 1 Curriculum at Geisinger College of Health Sciences School of Medicine in Pennsylvania. He manages the day-to-day operations of Phase 1 and teaches pharmacology. His educational scholarship is widely disseminated. A Fellow of ASPET’s Academy of Pharmacology Educators, he co-directs the IUPHAR Pharmacology Education Project and contributes to global pharmacology education initiatives.

Date: 18 Nov 2025 • Time: 1-2pm New York; 6-7pm London

Topics could include (but are not limited to): Ways of mapping curriculum and communication; assessment; integrating core concepts; sequencing content; reinforcement across the years; tracking retention; integration with clinical years (e.g., vertical integration); use of AI; use of virtual reality; simulation-based learning; supplemental materials/resources used, etc.

Please email the following information to jennifer.koenig@nottingham.ac.uk and janet.mifsud@um.edu.mt by 22nd Oct 2025. We will review and select presenters within a few days of this deadline.

Expression of Interest for 5 min lightning presentation on an aspect of teaching pharmacology in an integrated curriculum.

• Name:
• Contact email:
• Title: Provide a clear and concise title that reflects a specific aspect of teaching pharmacology in an integrated curriculum.
• Institution/University name and country:
• Abstract: Summarize the talk in 250 words or fewer, it might include: What has worked well and/or what challenges have you overcome? What challenges have you tried to solve but would like further possible solutions for?

Organising team: Lindsay Cormier (University of Kentucky, USA), Kelly Karpa (East Tennessee State University, USA), Jennifer Koenig (University of Nottingham, UK), Janet Mifsud (University of Malta), Carolina Restini (Michigan State University, USA), John Szarek (Gesinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, USA) and Munder Zagaar (Baylor College of Medicine, USA).