Nina Hengen, MD, PhD

Dr. Hengen completed her medical education at the University of Belgrade School of Medicine in Belgrade, Serbia and practiced medicine there for four years before moving to the US to pursue her doctoral degree. She received her PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, TX. After 3 years of postdoctoral training, she followed her passion for advancing pharmacology education and for providing a strong foundation in pharmacology to future health professionals. She spent the last 18 years as a pharmacology faculty of two pharmacy schools and one physician assistant program. She is excited to be a part of the education of future physicians here at MSOM. In her spare time, Dr. Hengen enjoys playing racquetball, hiking, travel and yoga.

Professional Affiliations and Awards:

• Society for Neuroscience
• USP Convention delegate
• Teacher of the Year (2008, 2023, 2024)
• Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence (2004)

Courses teaching:

• Pharmacology topics in preclinical courses

Research/Areas of Interest:

• Genetic markers of psychiatric disorders
• Estrogen and immune response effects on serotonergic system in the brain

Recent Publications & Presentations:

• D. Merola, R. Kidd, A. Zivanovic, M. Lizer, N. Hengen (2016) Evaluation of BDNF and GSK-3β gene polymorphism frequencies in bipolar and control groups. Society for Neuroscience 46th Annual Meeting
• D. Merola, N. Hengen, J. Woznak, M. Lizer, R. Kidd (2015) Evaluation of GSK-3β gene polymorphism frequencies in depressed, bipolar, and control groups. Society for Neuroscience 45th Annual Meeting
• S. Vlahopoulos, O. Cen, N. Hengen, J. Agan, M. Moschovi, E. Critselis, M. Adamaki, F. Bacopoulou, J. Copland, I. Boldogh, M. Karin, G. Chrousos, (2015) Dynamic aberrant NF-kappaB spurs tumorogenesis: A new model encompassing the microenvironment, Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews, 26(4):389–403 
• H. Nguyen, N. Hengen, R. Kidd (2015) Genetic variations of GRIK1, a subunit of ionotropic kainate glutamate receptor, in a bipolar population. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting
• F. F. Wu, M. Lizer, N. Hengen (2014) Evaluation of the frequency of methylenetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphism in bipolar disorder patients. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting 
• K. Nicholson, M. Lizer, N. Hengen (2013) Evaluation of frequency of adenylyl cyclase 9 gene polymorphism in bipolar disorder patients. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting
• N. Hengen, M. Lizer, R. Kidd (2011) Evaluation of genetic variations in organic cationic transporter 3 in depressed and non-depressed subjects. ISRN Pharmacology, 2011:161740
• N. Hengen, E.M. Smith (2010) Pro-inflammatory cytokine regulation of the serotonin transporter and serotonin autoreceptor 1B in rat serotonergic neurons. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, Vol. 24, Supplement 1, p. S15