Department of Clinical Psychopharmacology
Professors
Mark Austin
Professor
Dr. Austin’s research has focused on the molecular neurochemistry of the serotonin system in major depressive disorder. During his career it become evident that major depression is a very heterogeneous disorder that is associated with a high rate of other serious medical comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, dementia, diabetes, obesity and repetitive concussion syndrome. Dr. Austin has begun to develop a broader research program that has expanded and evolved into investigating epigenetic, developmental, cytoskeletal and signal transduction mechanisms underlying depression, chronic stress, obesity and repetitive traumatic brain injury. His research projects involve a multi-disciplinary approach that encompasses neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, neuropharmacology, biochemistry, and molecular biology disciplines and utilize a variety biochemical and molecular biological techniques as well as in vitro cell culture and in vivo small rodent models.
Dr. Austin is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University. He earned a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Washington State University. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship in molecular and behavioral neuroscience at the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, MD.
Walter L. Fitzgerald, Jr., BPharm, MS, JD
Professor
Office: BTC 120M
Walter Fitzgerald received the Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1979 from Mercer University School of Pharmacy in Atlanta. In 1982 he received the Master of Science in Pharmacy Administration from the University of Tennessee, College of Graduate Health Sciences, in Memphis. And in 1983 he received the Juris Doctor degree from the University of Memphis, School of Law.
Dr. Fitzgerald has nearly four decades of educating student pharmacists and pharmacists, as well as other health professions practitioners and students. The focus of his teaching and research is on healthcare law and ethics, research law and ethics, pharmacy and drug law, and risk management. He has presented many lectures at professional and scientific meetings and has authored numerous articles. He has authored four books, including The Pharmacist’s Guide to the Pharmacy and Drug Law of Tennessee, published by the Tennessee Pharmacists Association, and the HIPAA Compliance Handbook for Community Pharmacy, published by the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA). He also co-authored NCPA’s HIPAA Security Handbook for Community Pharmacy.
His professional career began in 1983 when he was appointed to the faculty of the University of Tennessee, College of Pharmacy. While appointed in the College of Pharmacy, his teaching extended to other health professions colleges. He also was a frequent continuing education program speaker for a variety of healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, physicians, advanced practice nurses, and physician assistants. His career at the University of Tennessee also provided several diverse experiences, such as serving as the project director for the retrospective drug utilization review program for TennCare, Tennessee’s managed care Medicaid program and General Counsel for the American College of Apothecaries. He has also served as a consultant to healthcare organizations, professional associations, and the pharmaceutical industry In 2005, he departed the University of Tennessee to become Founding Dean of the South College School of Pharmacy in Knoxville. As part of this role he supported the Provost/Executive Vice President with institutional preparation and regional accreditation necessary to founding of the School of Pharmacy.
Dr. Fitzgerald has received many prestigious awards, including being the first recipient of the Albert B Prescott Pharmacy Leadership Award. He also received the University of Tennessee National Alumni Association Public Service Award, the Tennessee Pharmacist of the Year Award, and membership in the Academy of Distinguished Teaching Professors at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Dr. Fitzgerald was the inaugural recipient of the South College Distinguished Service Award.
Clinical Associate Professors
Patrick Bartos
Clinical Associate Professor of Clinical Psychopharmacology
Dr. Patrick Bartos is a Clinical Associate Professor of Clinical Psychopharmacology at the Idaho State University College of Pharmacy. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from Kenyon College, a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University, and an M.S. in Clinical Psychopharmacology from ISU.
With over two decades of clinical experience, Dr. Bartos has worked in various settings, including college counseling centers, primary care, and private practice in Portland, Oregon. In addition to his clinical work, he has provided clinical supervision at Reed College and the University of Portland’s student health centers. He has also taught at the graduate level at Boise State University and Idaho State University.
As the newest addition to the faculty of ISU’s Clinical Psychopharmacology program, Dr. Bartos will be involved in teaching, supervising clinical training, and offering clinical services as a provisional prescribing psychologist at the Integrated Mental Health Clinic in Meridian. His professional interests include the integration of psychopharmacology and psychotherapy, teaching and mentorship, and mindfulness-based practices. In his free time, Dr. Bartos enjoys trail running and looks forward to exploring the Boise Foothills.
Eric Silk
Department Chair of Clinical Psychopharmacology
Clinical Associate Professor
Office: M 729
Dr. Silk is the Chair of the Clinical Psychopharmacology Program and a Clinical Associate Professor in the College of Pharmacy at Idaho State University. Dr. Silk has an extensive history of experience in psychopharmacology and assessment of psychological, neuropsychological, and substance use disorders.
Dr. Silk earned a B.S. in psychology from Michigan State University. He completed a M.A. in forensic psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. He then worked as a Research Coordinator at the Substance Use Research Center at the New York State Psychiatric Institute affiliated with the Columbia University Department of Psychiatry. His Ph.D. is in Clinical Psychology with a Specialization in Neuropsychology from Nova Southeastern University. He also completed a post-doc M.S. in psychopharmacology at Nova Southeastern.
Dr. Silk’s career path led him to Wyoming, where he continued to teach, developed a psychological practice, and pursued leadership in the Wyoming Psychological Association. He was an associate professor of psychology at Northwest College and is currently an Assistant Lecturer at University of Wyoming and University of Idaho. He was the president of the Wyoming Psychological Association from 2017-2018. Dr. Silk is a licensed clinical psychologist in Wyoming, Utah, and Idaho.
G. Lucy Wilkening
Clinical Associate Professor
Dr. Wilkening is a Clinical Associate Professor of Clinical Psychopharmacology in the College of Pharmacy at Idaho State University. She also provides mental health management services in the ISU Integrated Mental Health clinic. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy from Southwestern Oklahoma State University College of Pharmacy. Dr. Wilkening completed an ASHP-accredited pharmacy practice residency, and graduated as Resident of Distinction from the psychiatric pharmacy specialty residency at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Dr. Wilkening is an active member of the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP), and serves as an editor for AAPP’s peer-reviewed publication, the Mental Health Clinician. She is also active in AAPP's Government Affairs committee. Her other professional affiliations include the Phi Lambda Sigma Pharmacy Leadership Society, Phi Delta Chi, and the Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society.
Dr. Wilkening’s research interests include: innovative, integrated approaches to treating mental illness, impacts of teaching strategies on student interactions with patients with mental illness, and integration of prescribing psychologists into primary care services.
Affiliate Faculty
Noah Harper
Associate Laboratory Manager, Bioskills Lab Supervisor
Noah Harper is the Supervisor of the Bioskills Laboratory and has been integral in its development. He is actively engaging groups both locally and nationally to foster the success of this unique enterprise. In his position as the Associate Laboratory Manager, Noah assists in the supervision of the Gross Anatomy Laboratory, including training and oversight of Lab Technicians and Interns.
Noah joined the Treasure Valley Anatomy & Physiology Laboratories as a Laboratory Specialist in August, 2015 and was promoted to Bioskills Supervisor and Associate Laboratory Manager in July, 2016. He received his training in the anatomical sciences at the University of Utah and began teaching anatomical sciences in 2007. Noah is an active member of the American Association of Anatomists and has served on the Public Affairs and Strategic Planning Committees. As an outdoor enthusiast, Noah spends his free time exploring the mountains and river canyons surrounding the Treasure Valley and beyond.
Jeff Johnson
PharmD, PA-C
Jeff graduated from the ISU PA Program in 2002. He is also a graduate of the ISU College of Pharmacy earning a PharmD degree. His experience is primarily in emergency and urgent care medicine. He has also worked as a community pharmacist. He joined the ISU PA Program in 2011.
