University Of Southern Nevada

Allison Welder received her PhD at the University of Texas in Austin in 1985. She did her postdoctoral training in Toxicology at the University of Texas in Austin at the College of Pharmacy where she was also appointed as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology. In 1988, Dr. Welder accepted a tenure-track position as Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy (OU). After receiving promotion to Associate Professor and tenure at the University of Oklahoma, Dr. Welder accepted a position as Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Southern Nevada (USN) College of Pharmacy in 2002.

During her academic career, Dr. Welder has been a strong advocate for pursuing excellence in teaching, research, and service. With respect to teaching, she has continuously taught courses in the core pharmacology and toxicology undergraduate and graduate curriculums as well as developed specialty electives at both OU and USN. During her tenure at the University of Oklahoma, she was the recipient the “Excellence in Teaching Award” as voted by the undergraduate pharmacy students. She also has mentored successful masters and doctoral students. Most recently, she has become and Adjunct Professor of Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine teaching basic pharmacology and toxicology to students in the physician assistant and osteopathic programs.

Dr. Welder’s research interests have been to evaluate the interactions of pharmacology and toxicology with the areas of exercise performance with a specific interest in alcohol, cocaine and anabolic steroid cardiotoxicity. She has been funded by the National Institutes on Drug Abuse (NIDA) as well as other funding agencies. Most recently, she has been interested the in the use of certified trained Labrador Retrievers as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy in different disease states. In addition, she is interested in the effects of educating undergraduate pharmacy students for the prevention of alcohol and drug abuse in the profession of pharmacy.

In addition to a strong commitment to committee work, Dr. Welder has been a strong advocate in the Kappa Psi Professional Pharmacy Fraternity and the education of drug and alcohol addiction in the profession of pharmacy. She was Kappa Psi GCD at OU and currently, at USN. She received the W. Bruce Philip Certificate of Commendation for her commitment to found the Delta Tau Chapter of Kappa Psi in Las Vegas in 2003 and again in 2006 for her oustanding performance as the 3rd international Grand Council Deputy of the Delta Tau Chapter. Dr. Welder has also worked with hundreds of pharmacy students in trying to promote the education and increase the awareness of alcohol and drug abuse in the profession of pharmacy. In 2004, she was awarded the University of Utah School on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies Alumni Association Award in appreciation of her 10-year efforts to aid in the education and prevention of substance abuse.  In 2006, she became co-advising faculty advisor of the newly formed student Drug Abuse Awareness Team (DAAT) at USN.

In contrast, Dr. Welder has a passion for photography and graphic arts. She received an Associate's of Applied Science Degree in Graphic Arts from Oklahoma City Community College in December 2000. In 2005, she received an Associate's of Applied Science Degree in Photography from the Community College of Southern Nevada. She enjoys taking road trips and photographing the landscapes and environments. However, sports and portrait photography are her favorites.

Growing up on a ranch in South Texas instilled in her a passion for animals and the outdoors. In her younger years, she trained and rode horses. Today her Labrador Retrievers (LuLu, Abbie, and Tinker-Belle) are the love of her life. All three labs are nationally certified therapy dogs. Dr. Welder is passionate about as well as an advocate of the animal-human bond in healing. She and her three nationally certified therapy dogs have been active volunteers in hospital and hospice activites since 1996. Last but not least, she has been playing golf since she was 8 years old and continues to be competitive at the sport.