Chair’s Welcome

Welcome to the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neurobiology. This department incorporates two long-standing College of Medicine departments with strong histories of excellence at the University of Cincinnati. Our department is pursuing research initiatives exploring how organ systems interact to promote health and impact disease processes. Key areas of emphasis include cardiovascular biology, neurobiology, metabolic biology, chronobiology, computational biology, and membrane transport. We use systems biology and informatics to develop innovative new approaches for our research endeavors.

The department is committed to the training of the next generation of scientists, with a Pharmacology and Physiology PhD program and rigorous master’s programs geared toward preparing students for entry into the biomedical sciences workforce and enhancing competitiveness for medical school admissions. We look forward to a strong period of growth in both our research and education missions, and welcome you to consider joining us in this exciting time.

James P Herman, PhD
Flor van Maanen Professor and Chair

Katherine “Katie” Hobbing, PhD

The members of the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neurobiology (PPN) are profoundly saddened at the passing of Katharine "Katie" Hobbing, PhD (Associate Professor – Educator).

Dr. Hobbing obtained her Bachelors of Engineering from Vanderbilt University and a Masters and PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Louisville.  Her research interests were tumor hypoxia, inflammation in cancer, and cancer drug testing.

Dr. Hobbing joined PPN as an assistant professor in 2017.  As program director, she championed the evolution of Pharmacology Master's program to better prepare students for careers in drug development. She did this with the creation of new courses and student experiences and with her educationally innovative work as director, co-director, and lecturer for numerous other courses. In addition, Dr. Hobbing was the associate director and admissions director for the PPN Special Master's Program in Physiology. At the University-wide level, she led as a member of the Graduate Council and the Curriculum Committee. At the College of Medicine (COM), she served as a member of the Committee on Graduate Education (chair for 3 yrs) and on Recruitment Committees.  She modernized the PPN website content and appearance to greatly improve our ability to recruit students, and she used this expertise as the Educational Programs Representative on the COM Website Committee. She served on numerous PPN dept, dissertation, and qualifying exam committees. Dr. Hobbing, a mental health ambassador, advised, supported and nurtured over 130 students on career development and work/life balance.

Students, staff, and faculty will miss her optimism, leadership, innovation, and care.   

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held at Fairhaven Church, 637 E. Whipp Road, Centerville, Ohio 45459, on March 28th, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., with a Celebration of Katie's Life at 11:00 a.m.

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