Brian Cummings

Brian Cummings is Dean and Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Wayne State University's Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. He holds a PhD in Pharmacology from Wayne State (1999) and a BS in Biochemistry/Toxicology from Eastern Michigan University (1994), with postdoctoral training at the Medical University of South Carolina and University of Arkansas.

His research explores molecular mechanisms of cell death, focusing on lipid biochemistry, nanoparticle toxicology, and targeted cancer therapeutics. Key areas include secretory phospholipase A2-responsive drug delivery, glypican regulation in tumors, and environmental toxicant impacts on lipidomics. His work integrates pharmacology, nanotechnology, and epigenetics to address prostate cancer metastasis and nephrotoxicity.

Recent publications emphasize nanomedicine safety, lipidomic alterations in disease, and kinase inhibition strategies. Trends show consistent focus on:

• Liposome-based targeted cancer therapy
• Toxicokinetics of environmental pollutants
• Epigenetic regulation in renal toxicity
• PAK-1 signaling in metastasis

Awards & Honors:

• 2016 ASPET Outstanding Achievement in Toxicology
• 2012 UGA Meritorious Research Award
• 2009 UGA Excellence in Mentoring
• 2008 Teacher of the Year (UGA Pharmacy)
• 2005 Georgia Cancer Coalition Scholar

He directs multiple grants including a DoD-funded project on liposomal delivery for prostate cancer ($1.03M total). Current clinical work involves lipidomic profiling in cancer patients at the University of Iowa. Editorial roles include Toxicological Sciences and Biochemical Pharmacology.