Cheryse Sankar, Ph.D.
About Cheryse Sankar, Ph.D.
Cheryse Sankar, Ph.D., is a Program/Policy Analyst at the National Institutes of Health, where she has worked since 2013. She has a background in pharmacology and has held various research positions, including a fellowship at the National Cancer Institute.
Work at National Institutes of Health
Cheryse Sankar, Ph.D., has held multiple positions at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She began her tenure as an IRTA fellow from 2009 to 2010, followed by a year as a PRAT Research Fellow from 2010 to 2011. In 2013, she transitioned to her current role as a Program/Policy Analyst, where she has worked for over 11 years. In this capacity, she participates in the federally mandated HHS Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee and is involved in the planning, coordination, evaluation, and communication of activities for the trans-NIH Pain Consortium.
Education and Expertise
Cheryse Sankar earned her Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Michigan Medical School, where she studied from 2003 to 2009. Her academic journey began at UC Irvine, where she obtained dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Biological Sciences and Chemistry from 1999 to 2003. During her time at the University of Michigan, she engaged in doctoral research from 2004 to 2009, focusing on the molecular pharmacology of dopamine signaling in relation to drugs of abuse. This foundation has equipped her with significant expertise in pharmacology and behavioral research.
Research Experience
Cheryse Sankar's research experience includes a significant focus on the molecular pharmacology of dopamine signaling. During her graduate and postdoctoral studies, she investigated the effects of drugs of abuse on dopamine pathways. Additionally, she worked as a Graduate Research rotation student at the University of Michigan for two months in 2004 and engaged in project management and secondary data analysis in behavioral research during her fellowship at NIH. This diverse research background supports her current role in science policy.
Transition to Science Policy
Cheryse Sankar transitioned into science policy as an AAAS Science Policy Fellow at the National Cancer Institute. This role marked a significant shift in her career, allowing her to apply her scientific expertise to policy development and coordination. Her involvement in the HHS Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee and the trans-NIH Pain Consortium reflects her commitment to addressing critical health issues through policy initiatives.