About

About VTPP

The Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology (VTPP) is the only department of its kind in the state of Texas and has a rich tradition of excellence in education, research, and outreach with an emphasis on both veterinary and human medicine. The department houses the Michael E. DeBakey Institute for Cardiovascular Science & Biomedical Devices, the Reproductive Sciences Center, the Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, and the Winnie Carter Wildlife Center.

Teaching responsibilities within the department fall into three general categories:

• Undergraduate instruction leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences
• Graduate instruction leading to the Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in Biomedical Sciences and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Toxicology
• Professional instruction leading to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree

The primary research focus areas within the department include toxicology, cardiovascular sciences, reproductive sciences, regenerative medicine, and pharmacology. The department has a well-funded, well-published, and internationally renowned faculty who have extensive research collaborations with the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, College of Arts & Sciences, College of Engineering, the School Education & Human Development, the School of Public Health, the Texas A&M Health Science Center Texas A&M AgriLife Research, and the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station. Our faculty have achieved national and international recognition in teaching, research, and service.

Currently led by Dr. Cristine L. Heaps, VTPP offers outstanding educational experiences for DVM, graduate, and undergraduate students and conducts nationally recognized foundational and translational research in critical areas like toxicology, cancer, cardiovascular science, and reproductive biology to benefit both animal and human health.