Wayne (Nick) T. Nicholson, M.D., Pharm.D.

The research interest of Wayne (Nick) T. Nicholson, M.D., Pharm.D., resides in a better understanding and application of clinical pharmacology. Pharmacology research involves studying drug action and disposition in both healthy individuals and patients with disease. Many factors may alter how a drug acts in an individual.

Focus areas

• Pharmaceutical industry research. This research is done within the areas of anesthesiology, critical care and pain management. These clinical trials ensure the efficacy and safety of new medications.
• Mechanistic pharmacology studies. These studies, which are conducted within the human integrative physiology and pharmacology laboratory, investigate the variability of drug response. They consider differences in age, genetics and pathology on drug action. This research is performed in the Clinical Research Unit and funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Significance to patient care

The primary objective of clinical pharmacology research is to improve drug therapy and safety. By participating as an investigator in new drug studies with industry, Dr. Nicholson's goal is to bring new drugs to practice. Additionally, mechanistic studies give insight to pharmacologic differences that exist in populations. Knowing these differences may provide greater individualization of future drug therapy.